Senate Passes Blessing Bill Bringing Transparency to Public Construction Contracts

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 262, sponsored by Senator Louis Blessing III, which establishes transparency for changes made to public construction contracts by having any modification made to the contract that differs from an industry standard form be clearly indicated.

"Setting up methods for greater transparency in public contracts streamlines the construction process and the use of state resources," said Senator Blessing. "Clearly indicating where changes are made in a legal contract is similar to how the legislature is easily able to identify changes to bills. This legislation benefits both the businesses contracted by Ohio and the state agencies partnering with them."

Senate Bill 262 requires that when a public construction contract uses and industry standard form, if there are any changes made to the term, the changes must be marked on the contract. Any alterations made to the form are indicated by using a strike-through, underline, or adding cross-references to supplemental conditions. An exemption is made to contracts by the Department of Transportation for any road, highway, and bridge projects.

The bill now heads to the Ohio House of Representatives for further consideration.

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