Florida’s House Local Administration and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee unanimously approved a bill by Republican Anthony Rodriguez of Miami. The measure would require taxpayer-funded public works to domestically source iron and steel products. Mr Rodriguez said “This is not about the iron and steel companies. It’s about our taxpayer dollars. It’s about American dollars. And it’s about the safety of our people … the regulations, the safety of the production of this iron that we walk on, we drive on, we live in, which can certainly not be regulated overseas.”The rule, if passed and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, would also cover various other governmental entities, including school districts, taxing districts, colleges and universities.Like its federal precursor, the Buy American Act of 1993, the bill’s restrictions could be waived if the domestic supply of iron and steel is inadequate for a project or if it is of unsatisfactory quality. The bill, which would not mandate rules for private businesses, also would not apply if the use of US iron or steel would increase the total project cost by 20%.
Florida’s House Local Administration and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee unanimously approved a bill by Republican Anthony Rodriguez of Miami. The measure would require taxpayer-funded public works to domestically source iron and steel products. Mr Rodriguez said “This is not about the iron and steel companies. It’s about our taxpayer dollars. It’s about American dollars. And it’s about the safety of our people … the regulations, the safety of the production of this iron that we walk on, we drive on, we live in, which can certainly not be regulated overseas.”The rule, if passed and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, would also cover various other governmental entities, including school districts, taxing districts, colleges and universities.Like its federal precursor, the Buy American Act of 1993, the bill’s restrictions could be waived if the domestic supply of iron and steel is inadequate for a project or if it is of unsatisfactory quality. The bill, which would not mandate rules for private businesses, also would not apply if the use of US iron or steel would increase the total project cost by 20%.
