SFNE SUBMITS REDRAFT OF BUY AMERICAN LEGISLATION

On February 9th, SFNE submitted a redraft of S2546 which narrows its scope by requiring taxpayer funded projects give preference to U.S. manufacturers of structural steel on the construction or renovation of public buildings. A section by section summary follows.

Section 1.
Subsections (a) and (b).  Requires structural steel to be manufactured and fabricated in the United States.Rationale – The most significant loss of public work for the Massachusetts and regional steel fabrication industry is the procurement of structural steel on public construction projects. This narrow scope allows for easy implementation since it is already required on all public construction projects in Massachusetts that contain any federal tax dollars.  It is also limited to public construction projects that exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000.00).

Subsections (c), (d), (e).  Waivers.  The requirements of subsections (a) and (b) can be waived under these subsections.
Rationale – These sections are consistent with federal law which will, again, allow for easy implementation because they are already in effect on federal projects in Massachusetts.

Subsection (f). Intentional violations. Penalties for intentional violations of this act. Enforcement and regulations by the Massachusetts Attorney General
Rationale – Consistent with federal requirements.

Subsection (g). Data collection and reporting. 
Rationale – To ensure that this law is having the desired effect.

Click here to review the new redraft.