Complete Story
03/02/2010
Governor Strickland Signs Senate Bill 131
Contact: Jamie Butts
Ohio Soybean Association
614.476.3100
jbutts@soyohio.org
NEWS RELEASE
Mar. 2, 2010
Governor Strickland Signs Senate Bill 131
Nation's Most Comprehensive State Biopreferred Program Becomes Law
WORTHINGTON, Ohio - Governor Ted Strickland signed Senate Bill 131 (S.B. 131) into law on Saturday, creating a bio-based product purchasing program. Strongly supported by the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA), this program will require state entities, along with colleges and universities, to give purchasing preference to bio-based products as long as the products are comparable in price, performance and availability. It will be administered by the Department of Administrative Services and is the most comprehensive state biopreferred program in the nation.
"We are very excited to see this bill become law," said Jeff Wuebker, OSA president and Darke County soybean farmer. "The bio-based product purchasing program will help create growth in the bio-based products industry here in the state, create jobs, spur economic development and support a new market for Ohio's 26,000 soybean farmers."
The bill adopts product standards and approved product lists established by the Federal government as part of the Federal BioPreferred purchasing program. S.B. 131 does not apply to the purchase of motor vehicle fuel, heating oil or electricity.
The House passed S.B. 131 with a vote of 92-1, and the Senate unanimously concurred. The bill had previously passed the Senate unanimously. Before the introduction of S.B. 131, Gov. Strickland had shown his commitment to bio-based products when he signed a compact in 2007 with other members of the Midwest Governor's Association supporting state implementation of the similar Federal BioPreferred program. Additionally, growing the bio-based product industry was a major focus during his 2010 State of the State address.
S.B. 131 is sponsored by State Senator Karen Gillmor (R-Tiffin) and co-sponsored by State Senator Capri Cafaro (D-Hubbard). An additional 23 senators and 59 representatives signed on as co-sponsors, truly representing bi-partisan support for a bill that will spur economic development and job creation.
Bio-based products are defined as commercial or industrial products, other than food or feed, composed wholly or in significant part of biological products including renewable agricultural materials such as plant, animal, and marine or forestry materials.
"Thanks to recent advances in research and technology, acres of soybeans, corn and other agriculture resources growing across Ohio have the tremendous potential to transform our state into a center for bioproducts development in this country, breathe much-needed life into our economy, and create a market for good-paying jobs in our local communities," said Gillmor. "This legislation will help further the development of the bioproducts industry in Ohio by directing money the state is already spending to support companies that are manufacturing bio-based materials in our state and promoting the growth of other bioproducts businesses."
The strong agricultural industry in Ohio is the foundation upon which the state's research and manufacturing industries can build. Many Ohio research and manufacturing companies such as Ashland Chemical, Battelle, Hexion, Nutek, Proctor & Gamble, Sherwin Williams, The Scotts Company, UniVenture and others are already leading the way in bioproduct development and marketing. The bill also benefits Ohio's small businesses, many of which supply bio-based products.
Additionally, the growth of the bioproducts industry in Ohio will boost the bottom line for soybean farmers. OSA has been a long-time advocate for bio-based product development and promotion in the state, as many bio-based products that are available today are derived from soybeans.
"I believe bio-based products represent a tremendous opportunity for job growth in Ohio," said Cafaro. "Plus, it gives our farmers a new market for the crops they produce."
Beyond the marketplace benefits, the bill also encourages product research and development at Ohio's colleges and universities and private research institutions, in turn encouraging students to enroll and enter scientific fields using the math, science and technology of the future.
"The USDA BioPreferred program congratulates the Ohio Soybean Association for their dedication to seeing the Ohio bioproducts purchasing program become reality," said Ron Buckhalt, USDA BioPreferred program manager. "Leveraging the purchasing power of both state and Federal institutions is a great tool to further develop the bio-based products industry and one that can generate additional markets for agricultural commodities and create community-based green jobs."
To learn more about bio-based products made from soybeans, or to view the Federal BioPreferred product list which will be used for Ohio's bio-based product purchasing program, visit www.soyinside.org.
About OSA
The Ohio Soybean Association is governed by a 25-member volunteer farmer board dedicated to education and promotion, as well as to uniting producer interest through support of legislative activities beneficial to the Ohio soybean industry.
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