State Policy Resources

In 2025, Senator Brian Buchanan authored Senate Bill 516, which established a statewide Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Representative Jake Teshka was a leader on establishing a statewide Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation as well, as he authored House Bill 1172.

In 2026, Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab implemented significant reductions and eliminations of fees for businesses, as well as simplification of fee and filing structures. These changes save time and money for Kansas businesses. Notably, fees for biennial business filings were cut, LLC and Partnership formation filing fees were reduced, and professional employer organizations annual reporting fees were cut by 75%. Per the Secretary of State, these and many other moves were made to allow Kansans to focus on growing their businesses, not navigating bureaucracy and added burdens.

In 2026, Kentucky Governor Beshear signed an executive order creating the Team Kentucky Council on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. This council will serve as the voice and resource for the small business community at the highest levels of Kentucky state government. It will be made up of entrepreneurs, economic and workforce development leaders, and government officials. The Governor will serve as chair. The council will address many things, some of which include, identifying specific barriers facing entrepreneurs, identifying methods to increase new businesses, connecting resources, mentors, programs, and networks, and advising on workforce training initiatives for small businesses. Additionally, the council will submit recommendations to the Governor and propose legislative or executive actions for the year 2027. 

In 2024, Senator Travis Fitzwater sponsored Senate Bill 894, which created the Right the Start Act and statewide Office of Entrepreneurship. This act requires the Commissioner of Administration to file a report with the General Assembly that includes information on contracts awarded to businesses that have been in operation for less than three years. Additionally, it requires the Commissioner of Administration, in conjunction with the Office of Entrepreneurship, which is established by the act, to file a report with the General Assembly making recommendations on improving access and resources for new Missouri businesses that have been in operation for less than three years, including businesses owned by a racial minority group, and women-owned and veteran-owned businesses. Lastly, the act creates the Office of Entrepreneurship within the Department of Economic Development. The Office shall employ an individual to promote policies and initiatives to support the growth of entrepreneurship of Missouri-based businesses with less than ten employees, including entrepreneurship within racial minority groups, and women and veteran entrepreneurship, in this state. To learn more about this policy, check out this story.

In 2023, Speaker of the House, Assemblyman Steven Yeager sponsored Assembly Bill 77, which established the Office of Entrepreneurship within the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). Appropriations funded two full-time employees to launch the office initially: a Director of Entrepreneurship and an Entrepreneurship Coordinator. The office works as the point of contact for businesses under five years old, strengthening policies and programs supporting the growth of entrepreneurship in the state, including, without limitation, across demographic segments and geographic areas. For more information on this policy, check out this release from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).

In 2025, Representative Meredith Dixon sponsored House Bill 20, which created the Technology & Innovation District within the Department of Economic Development. The bill advanced economic growth in the state and will provide millions of dollars in funding for startup companies, while expanding greatly on entrepreneurship efforts. The new office absorbed the Office of Strategy, Science and Technology and Office of Entrepreneurship. 

In 2023, New Mexico established an Office of Entrepreneurship through executive department action, “Furthering the Economic Development Department’s mission of improving the lives of New Mexico families by increasing economic opportunity, building wealth, and providing a place for businesses to thrive.” The Office serves and connects all New Mexico entrepreneurs, coordinating with support organizations and incubators as well as providing guidance on resources and funding opportunities. Right to Start information helped inspire the Office of Entrepreneurship and it continues to educate state leadership in order to support the office and its ongoing success.

In 2026, Governor Kevin Stitt issued an Executive Order (2026-04) that designates the first executive-level Chief Entrepreneurial Officer (CEO) for any state. The CEO will report directly to the Governor, serving as the Governor’s principal advisor on entrepreneurship matters. The Executive Order also directs specific actions, including creating a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs, moving to reduce the cost of starting a business to $1, waiving or deferring early-stage business taxes, including young businesses in state contracting, embedding entrepreneurial skills in education, and strengthening performance metrics for entrepreneurship.

In 2025, Representative Caroline Harris Davila sponsored House Bill 346, which streamlines processes and reduces barriers for those starting and growing a business. The bill empowers the Secretary of State to charge competitive fees for businesses that want expedited filing and record services in the state. This will provide more assurance to potential new businesses that the state will welcome them with open arms. Additionally, the bill eliminates the state franchise tax and certain filing fees for veteran-owned businesses. The engrossed policy that passed in the House in 2025, reflected many of the same policy ideas that Representative Harris Davila proposed in the House in 2023.

In 2026, the West Virginia Legislature passed Senate Bill 878 to create an Office of Entrepreneurship within the Secretary of State's Office. The vote was unanimous in the Senate and passed overwhelmingly in the House. The bill was approved by West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey on March 25th, 2026. This bill created a new national model where an Office of Entrepreneurship is housed within the Secretary of State’s Office. West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner led these efforts in the state. For more information on the passage and signing go here. For more information on the office, its goals and its leadership go here.