State procurement
Ohio projects would have to use U.S.-made steel
The bill covers state-capital-backed construction, from schools and highways to water and sewer work. It also reaches projects paid with education facilities trust fund money and gives the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission a role in policing violations.
Ohio would require U.S.-produced iron and steel in public projects backed by state capital money. The rule would apply when those materials are meant for permanent use in the finished work.
- Covers state-capital-backed public construction
- Includes schools, highways and utility projects
- Requires U.S.-produced iron and steel for permanent use
- Ohio Facilities Construction Commission gets enforcement authority
- Vote records show no recorded no votes
In Ohio, public projects backed by state capital money would have to use U.S.-produced iron and steel when those materials are bought for permanent incorporation. The rule reaches buildings, structures and infrastructure, including highway improvements and utility projects involving water works or sewage disposal.
That matters because the requirement would follow the money into schools, roads, water systems and other public work paid for in whole or in part with state capital funds. It also applies to projects financed with money from the education facilities trust fund, so the sourcing line would not stop at one kind of construction.
The supply chain check
The bill is written as a sourcing mandate, not a broad construction code. If iron or steel products are part of the finished project, only products produced in the United States could be purchased for that work.
It also says no person may purchase or provide iron or steel products in violation of the section. A buyer who can show compliance would be shielded from civil liability and related penalties, and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission would have reasonable-cause authority over suspected violations.
A broad political coalition
The measure has 12 sponsors, with two primary sponsors and 10 cosponsors. The sponsor list includes nine Republicans and three Democrats, giving the bill support from both parties.
Available vote records show the bill advanced without recorded no votes.