Build Local, Hire Local Act

1/11/2023, 1:50 PM

Build Local, Hire Local Act

This bill imposes various requirements on certain federally assisted infrastructure projects. The bill also creates infrastructure-related grant programs and establishes the Buy America Bureau.

Such federally assisted infrastructure projects must (1) employ a certain percentage of local workers to the maximum extent practicable; and (2) prioritize hiring certain individuals, such as veterans and those facing barriers to employment. A certain percentage of funds for these projects must be used for contracts with small businesses that have fewer than 10 employees.

When applying for a contract, grant, or loan related to a project, the applying entity must disclose whether there are any rulings, such as a civil judgment, finding that the entity has violated certain federal labor and occupational safety laws in the last three years.

In addition, the Department of Transportation must award grants to entities in disadvantaged and underserved communities for infrastructure projects that create connected, economically prosperous, and environmentally healthy communities. Further, the Department of Labor must provide grants to workforce development boards and industry partnerships for job training programs to train certain groups, such as individuals with barriers to employment, for jobs in targeted infrastructure industries.

The bill also establishes the Buy America Bureau within the Department of Commerce to oversee project compliance with existing laws that require the use of U.S.-made materials in certain federally funded projects.

Congress
117

Number
S - 1827

Introduced on
2021-05-25

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

5/25/2021

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Build Local, Hire Local Act

This bill imposes various requirements on certain federally assisted infrastructure projects. The bill also creates infrastructure-related grant programs and establishes the Buy America Bureau.

Such federally assisted infrastructure projects must (1) employ a certain percentage of local workers to the maximum extent practicable; and (2) prioritize hiring certain individuals, such as veterans and those facing barriers to employment. A certain percentage of funds for these projects must be used for contracts with small businesses that have fewer than 10 employees.

When applying for a contract, grant, or loan related to a project, the applying entity must disclose whether there are any rulings, such as a civil judgment, finding that the entity has violated certain federal labor and occupational safety laws in the last three years.

In addition, the Department of Transportation must award grants to entities in disadvantaged and underserved communities for infrastructure projects that create connected, economically prosperous, and environmentally healthy communities. Further, the Department of Labor must provide grants to workforce development boards and industry partnerships for job training programs to train certain groups, such as individuals with barriers to employment, for jobs in targeted infrastructure industries.

The bill also establishes the Buy America Bureau within the Department of Commerce to oversee project compliance with existing laws that require the use of U.S.-made materials in certain federally funded projects.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to establish an expansive infrastructure program to create local jobs and raise the quality of life in every community, to launch middle class career pathways in infrastructure, and to invest in high-quality American jobs, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Transportation and Public Works

Potential Impact
Accounting and auditing•
Advisory bodies•
Age discrimination•
Air quality•
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration•
Assault and harassment offenses•
Aviation and airports•
Building construction•
Business investment and capital•
Buy American requirements•
Child care and development•
Climate change and greenhouse gases•
Community life and organization•
Congressional oversight•
Department of Commerce•
Disability and paralysis•
Educational technology and distance education•
Employee hiring•
Employee leave•
Employment and training programs•
Employment discrimination and employee rights•
Environmental regulatory procedures•
Executive agency funding and structure•
Government information and archives•
Government lending and loan guarantees•
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances•
Health care coverage and access•
Health facilities and institutions•
Health technology, devices, supplies•
Housing and community development funding•
Housing supply and affordability•
Indian social and development programs•
Infrastructure development•
Internet and video services•
Internet, web applications, social media•
Labor standards•
Labor-management relations•
Migrant, seasonal, agricultural labor•
Minority and disadvantaged businesses•
Minority employment•
Performance measurement•
Pollution liability•
Public contracts and procurement•
Public housing•
Public transit•
Public-private cooperation•
Railroads•
Regional and metropolitan planning•
Research administration and funding•
Roads and highways•
Rural conditions and development•
Sex offenses•
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination•
Small business•
Solid waste and recycling•
Transportation programs funding•
Transportation safety and security•
Unemployment•
Urban and suburban affairs and development•
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation•
Wages and earnings•
Water quality•
Water resources funding•
Water use and supply•
Women in business•
Worker safety and health

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary11/1/2021

Build Local, Hire Local Act

This bill imposes various requirements on certain federally assisted infrastructure projects. The bill also creates infrastructure-related grant programs and...


Latest Action5/25/2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.