O’Mara: ‘Buy American Act’ signed into law

December 15, 2017

Buy American

"The investment of at least this segment of the billions of taxpayer dollars annually spent on road and bridge construction, improvement, and maintenance projects will positively affect the overall effort to create, protect, and grow American jobs," said Senator O'Mara, vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

This action delivers a concrete, clear, and significant action that New York State supports American workers and American products.

Elmira, N.Y., December 15—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) today said that legislation he co-sponsored in the Senate in 2017, known as the “New York State Buy American Act,” has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The legislation (S6639/A8427) received near unanimous approval in both the state Senate and Assembly in June. It seeks to ensure the use of American-made steel and iron products on state road and bridge projects.

“This action delivers a concrete, clear, and significant action that New York State supports American workers and American products. The investment of at least this segment of the billions of taxpayer dollars annually spent on road and bridge construction, improvement, and maintenance projects will positively affect the overall effort to create, protect, and grow American jobs. It will also ensure the use of high-quality American steel and other products to strengthen the safety of New York State’s roads and bridges in the future,” said O’Mara, vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

The legislation’s prime sponsors area two Rochester-area state legislators, Senator Joe Robach (R, C,IP-Rochester) and Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle (D-Rochester).

The “New York Buy American Act” takes effect on April 1, 2018 and will cover state contracts executed after that date. It requires the use of American-made iron and steel products for road or bridge projects directed by the state Department of Transportation, Office of General Services, SUNY Construction Fund, Dormitory Authority of New York State, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Bridge Authority and Thruway Authority.

The new law will apply to contracts of one million dollars or more.

It also establishes a working group to oversee and issue a final report on the law’s implementation and impact by January 1, 2020. Among other measures, the group will examine the possible expansion of the Buy American requirement to include other products including concrete, cement, and aluminum.

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