Testimony — Shawn Gray, Cleveland Plumbers Union Local 55, on HB 307 (October 1, 2025)

Summary

Testimony dated October 1, 2025 from Shawn Gray, Business Manager of Cleveland Plumbers Union Local 55, to the House Development Committee on HB 307, the OH Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Act. The testimony states that Responsible Contractor Language needs to be included in the bill so that projects are awarded on a contractor's demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality workmanship rather than simply on lowest bid. It states that Responsible Contractor clauses can mandate compliance with wage, benefit, safety, and licensing laws. It cites a study by Scioto Analysis that it says specifies the state will save $45 in return.

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October 1, 2025

 Chairman Hoops, Vice Chair Lorenz, Ranking Member Abdullahi, and esteemed members of
the House Development Committee:

My name is Shawn Gray,

I am the Business Manager of Cleveland Plumbers Union Local 55. I am here today to express
my belief in HB 307 and why I believe Responsible Contractor Language needs to be included.

The OH Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Act, HB 307 is crucial for our State. By not
passing this Bill and including the Responsible Contractor Language, it will cost our state more
in the long run. Ohio, like every other state, experiences thousands of lead poisoning cases each
year when children are exposed to lead. Often times that leads to state and local health
departments having to utilize significant amounts of resources to conduct investigations to
determine where the poisoning happened vs. proactively taking out a known source via LSLR.
When lead poisoning happens, not only does the public sector utilize a great deal of resources
taking care of those poisoned, but everyday people end up spending their hard-earned dollars on
medical bills, and many other of the people affected (mostly children) are on state health
insurance. There was a study completed by Scioto Analysis that specifies for every $1 invested in
LSLR Act the state will save $45 in return.

The reason I believe that this Bill should include Responsible Contractor Language is because it
is critical to safeguarding both public safety and taxpayer interests. It will ensure that projects
awarded under the statute are not awarded simply on lowest bid, but on a contractor’s
demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality workmanship. Responsible contracting does not
mean accepting the lowest bid, but accepting the most responsible and responsive bid at a
reasonable cost. By including this principle in HB 307, the state can deter contractors who have
poor safety records, payroll violations, or histories of incomplete performance from being
rewarded at public expense. Responsible Contractor provisions offer legal and practical
protections. The Responsible Contractor clauses can mandate compliance with wage, benefit,
safety, and licensing laws, further reducing legal exposure and ensuring fairness among bidders.
Along with the Responsible Contractor provision comes the fact that the Responsible Contractor
has the properly trained workforce who have served through an accredited apprenticeship
program as well.



Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I ask that you please consider passing such an
incredibly important bill for the future of Ohioans.


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