2025 Key Legislative Wins

OABA achieved several important advocacy wins in 2025, helping restore H2Ohio agriculture funding, protect key tax exemptions and clarify pesticide regulations. These efforts, along with continued engagement on nutrient management, workforce, infrastructure and trade, support a strong and sustainable future for Ohio agribusiness.

Secured continued funding for H2Ohio for agriculture

The Governor’s 2024–25 budget proposed $270 million for H2Ohio. The House budget cut funding nearly in half, reducing agriculture’s share from $60 million to $30 million. OABA and many other partners engaged the legislature to increase funding. In the final enacted budget, total H2Ohio funding was set at $165 million, with agriculture funding largely restored to $56 million annually while other agency allocations remained significantly reduced.

Fixed pesticide language from budget process

OABA successfully secured fixes to pesticide language that was altered during the budget process by incorporating clarifications into subsequent legislation. The bill aligns Ohio law with federal code by clearly defining “use” and clarifies the “direct supervision” requirements for restricted-use pesticides (RUPs). Changes that would have required all employees handling RUPs to obtain a license were revised to allow trained employees to operate under the supervision of a licensed applicator. The Ohio Department of Agriculture has released rules for public comments and OABA has submitted comments addressing concerns with a time and distance supervision requirement. The law takes effect March 20,2026.

Potash and Phosphate added to Critical Mineral List

Potassium and phosphorus are essential fertilizers for farmers and agribusinesses alike. Recent worldwide events have put a spotlight on how dependent the United States is on other countries to import fertilizer here. This presents a national security issue. By being listed on the Critical Minerals list, this designation allows for a speedier process in permitting for new mines in the U.S. further reducing our dependence on foreign sources. OABA and our national partners pushed heavily to have these listed. The list is updated every three years.

Continuation of sales tax exemption for drainage tile and grain bins

Late in the state budget process, a proposal was floated to eliminate the sales tax exemption for drainage tile and grain bins. Not only would this exemption have negatively impacted farmers, but it would have impacted grain bins for agribusinesses as well. OABA, along with all other agricultural organizations, quickly engaged the legislature to have this proposal removed from the state budget.

2025 OABA Legislative Priority Engagements

Nutrient Management

Protecting water quality through voluntary, science-based solutions

• Engaged partners on long-term H2Ohio funding strategies
• Promoted voluntary 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification

Transportation & Infrastructure

Keeping Ohio agribusiness moving

• Supported Agricultural & Rural Road Improvement Program Act
• Backed State Issue 2 to sustain the State Capital Improvement Program
• Signed on Rail Customer Coalition letter about Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific rail merger
• Opposed changes to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 imposing fines on exporters using Chinese built ships

Trade

Expanding markets and protecting exports

• Supported USMCA reauthorization process
• Signed onto national coalition letters supporting fair, consistent trade

Regulatory Oversight

Smart regulation that works for agriculture

• Supported U.S. EPA’s proposal to register dicamba products for over-the-top use
• Supported the Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025
• Supported the Innovative FEED Act
• Monitored and opposed burdensome MAHA-related proposals

Workforce Development

Building the future ag workforce

• Supported Seasonal Ag CDL Modernization Act
• Advocated for increased funding for Ag Education 5th Quarter Grants