OH HB176

Enacts section 9.28 establishing limits on change orders for publicly bid construction projects: change orders do not require competitive bidding but must be in writing.

Caps non-essential embellishment change orders at the lesser of $50,000 or 2.5% of total contract price, with exceptions for quantity increases during final measurement, new federal requirements, and life/safety/health emergencies.

Requires contracting authorities to report annually to the Director of Administrative Services on all change orders issued, including reason, cost, and category of change.

Director of Administrative Services must summarize change order data by category and contracting authority type and send summaries to the Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate.

Repeals section 5525.14 of the Revised Code and amends section 127.16 to remove references to that section.