HB 579 Summary

• Amends Ohio's "Buy Ohio Law" to define "excessive price" as bids exceeding the lowest price by more than 5 percent, with an exception allowing up to 10 percent premium if the bidder demonstrates job creation or retention in Ohio.

• Requires entities awarded state contracts based on job creation commitments to demonstrate they will create or retain jobs in Ohio, with liability to the state for the price difference if they fail to fulfill this obligation within a reasonable time.

• Adds criteria for the Director of Administrative Services to establish procedures allowing bidders with significant Ohio economic presence (measured by employees or capital investment) to qualify for contract awards on the same basis as Ohio-produced products.

• Expands the definition of "state award for economic development" to include contracts awarded under the Buy Ohio preference to entities that commit to creating or retaining Ohio jobs, making them subject to Attorney General monitoring and enforcement.

• Updates the definition of "excessive price" in state printing contracts to reference the Buy Ohio Law definition rather than maintaining a separate standard.