New York State will "Buy American" for high-priced road & bridge projects

On Friday, December 15, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a new bill into law that will require all contracts for New York State surface road and bridge projects planned for more than $1 million to include a provision to use American-made iron, steel and concrete.

Also known as the “New York Buy American Act,” this new law will affect all contracts in excess of $1 million made and awarded by any department or agency of New York State after April 1, 2018 for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, maintenance or improvement of any roads or bridges. However, the “New York Buy American Act” will not apply to projects that have already completed their project design and environmental studies phases prior to the effective start date.

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. believes that the use of American-made iron, steel and concrete in taxpayer-funded projects by the state ensures that these vital job opportunities remain right here in New York and across the United States.

“The steel, iron and concrete industries are important and necessary job producers in the U.S.,” Addabbo said. “If we can ensure that New York State buys American-made products for its large projects, we can preserve current jobs and create more jobs for American workers. I appreciate Governor Cuomo’s approval of this bill and putting United States workers and jobs first by signing this bill into law.”

Included in this law is the establishment of a work group that would consider the feasibility of expanding the new contract requirements to other products manufactured in the United States; explore reciprocal trade access with foreign states that may be negatively impacted by this law; examine the fiscal impacts; and mitigate any issues with implementation of this legislation.