Rep. Sweeney's Bipartisan Prompt Pay Legislation Passes House Committee

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake) announced today that her bipartisan House Bill 203 passed the House Commerce and Labor Committee by a 10-3 vote. Jointly sponsored by Rep. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield), the legislation will ensure that contractors working on private construction projects are paid in a timely manner. The sponsors were pleased to see the strong bipartisan support from the committee.

“Some Ohio contractors have to wait 60, 90, or even 150 days to receive payment after they finish a construction project. Hardworking Ohioans shouldn’t have to dip into their personal savings or retirement funds just to do their job,” said Rep. Sweeney. “House Bill 203 will help ensure that workers are paid on time, and construction projects keep moving forward in the Buckeye State.”

The “prompt pay” requirement is already in place for public sector owners, such as state and local governments, and for private sector subcontractors. House Bill 203 addresses an imbalance in the private sector and ensures that all parties on a construction project are paid in a reasonable timeframe.

“House Bill 203 is a pro-business and pro-worker bill that ensures a level playing field for hardworking Ohioans and will keep construction projects moving in a timely fashion,” said Rep. Roemer. “This provision will increase Ohio’s economic competitiveness to keep up with the 29 other states that already have similar prompt pay laws on the books.”

House Bill 203 awaits further consideration on the floor of the Ohio House of Representatives.