Ohio state-funded projects would generally use U.S.-made iron and steel

Projects supported by state funds would generally have to use iron or steel products made in the United States. The rule covers buildings, structures, and infrastructure projects supported in whole or in part by state capital funds, as well as public higher education projects supported by state funds. It applies to iron or steel bought or provided for permanent use in construction, maintenance, repair, or improvements. A state agency could waive the rule for non-bridge projects if applying it would go against the public interest, suitable U.S.-made products are not reasonably available, or those products would raise the overall project cost by more than 25 percent. Small amounts of foreign material are allowed under stated limits, and bridge projects have separate rules and exceptions. The text gives no start date for the rule.

People who buy or provide products that violate the rule would face a civil penalty equal to one and one-half times the products’ purchase price. The penalty applies to iron or steel products bought or provided in violation of the state-funded project rule. A person who can show they complied with the required project notice is not liable in a civil case under this section and does not have to pay this penalty. The text gives no start date for the penalty.