House Bill 709 Summary

• Requires all state and political subdivision contracts for construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, improvement, or maintenance of public buildings and public works to use iron, steel, and manufactured goods made in the United States.

• Defines "manufactured" as requiring all manufacturing processes to occur in the United States, with components also of U.S. origin; allows exception for metallurgical processes involving steel additive refinement.

• Permits exemptions from the American materials requirement if the executive head of a public agency determines it would be inconsistent with public interest, materials are unavailable in sufficient quality, or costs would increase by more than 25 percent; requires 30 days public notice and comment before final exemption determination.

• Prohibits vendors or entities incorporated in or with manufacturing facilities in the United States that receive support from nonmarket economy countries from receiving state contracts or subcontracts, effective July 1, 2024.

• Makes it unlawful to willfully affix "Made in America" labels to or misrepresent the origin of foreign-made materials used in covered projects; violators become ineligible for any state contract or subcontract.

• Establishes tribal government consultation as a priority in public construction projects on tribal lands and requires compliance with applicable international trade agreements.

• Effective date: July 1, 2024.