OHI announced the successful achievement of three critical advocacy priorities at the federal level, victories made possible by the dedicated engagement of its members, years of strategic advocacy and the tireless efforts of OHI’s Government Affairs team in Washington, D.C.
Whether you traveled to the Capitol with OHI or submitted letters to lawmakers, these wins are a direct result of the OHI community’s collective voice. OHI’s sustained efforts have helped protect outdoor hospitality businesses and preserve the public lands our communities rely on.
“We’re deeply grateful to every OHI member who joined us on Capitol Hill, wrote letters, shared their stories, or took action remotely,” said David Basler, OHI’s chief strategy officer and senior vice president of government affairs. “These wins belong to all of us, and they show what we can accomplish when we speak with one voice. Together, we are shaping a stronger, more sustainable future for outdoor hospitality.”
The newly enacted legislation includes several key provisions that benefit outdoor hospitality businesses across the country:
- Permanent Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction
This was part of the Main Street Tax Certainty Act that OHI was actively advocating for—sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT). The 20% QBI deduction is now permanent, reducing taxable income and lowering tax rates for many small business owners. The provision also supports reinvestment and expansion by allowing the immediate deduction of qualifying equipment and property purchases. - Permanent Estate Tax Exemption of $15 million (Individual) / $30 million (Couple)
The new exemption thresholds allow business owners to pass their businesses on to heirs without facing excessive estate tax burdens, ensuring continuity for multigenerational family-owned operations provided the estate value remains below the new limits. - Protection of Public Lands
OHI successfully opposed a proposal that would have led to the sale of 2 to 3 million acres of public lands across 11 Western states, but we must remain vigilant, as it could be reintroduced in the next 12 months. These lands are essential to our industry, with more than 75% of privately owned outdoor hospitality businesses located in gateway communities that rely on tourism tied to protected public land.
These legislative wins mark a pivotal moment for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry. They reflect not only the strength of OHI’s advocacy presence, but also the influence of its members who shared their priorities and passion with lawmakers.
Looking forward, OHI remains focused on advancing other key federal and state priorities including the Credit Card Competition Act, the Online Accessibility Act, tax simplification measures and legislative efforts around guest ejection and inherent risk protection.
OHI’s advocacy work is far from over, but today, our industry is celebrating these hard-earned successes and the community that made them possible, the organization said. Because of this work, the future of outdoor hospitality is brighter than ever.
Those interested in learning more about OHI’s advocacy efforts can visit ohi.org/advocacy/ for more information.
