House Passes Senator Cafaro’s Biobased Products Bill

Legislation Will Help Ohio Agriculture, Industry and Research Institutions

Columbus – The Ohio House of Representatives voted 92-1 today to approve Senate Bill 131, a bill jointly sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Capri S. Cafaro (D-Hubbard) and Senator Karen Gillmor (R-Tiffin) that encourages the use of biobased products. The legislation had already passed the Senate by a unanimous vote.

“The goal of this legislation is to promote Ohio agriculture and industry,” said Senator Cafaro. “By increasing our use of biobased products we can help Ohio’s farmers and manufacturers expand and create job opportunities.”

SB 131 requires the Director of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to establish a program that gives purchasing preference to biobased products as long as the costs are comparable to non-biobased products. The program would apply to supplies purchased by DAS, state agencies and state colleges and universities.

“This legislation also gives a boost to Ohio’s colleges and universities that conduct research into developing biobased products,” said Senator Cafaro.

Biobased alternatives utilize renewable resources like corn and soybeans for products that range from lip balm to copy machine toner. SB 131 is similar to a national program that gives purchasing preference to biobased products at federal agencies.

The purchasing provisions contained in SB 131 take affect 90 days after Governor Strickland signs the legislation.

To watch floor testimony on SB 131, visit:
http://www.ohiochannel.org/multimedia/organizations/media.cfm?file_id=124370&start_time=2811&organization_id=30
(The Ohio Channel)