# Build Local, Hire Local Act

This bill requires that federal transportation and public works projects prioritize hiring workers and purchasing materials from local sources. When the government funds infrastructure projects like road repairs, bridge construction, or public transit improvements, contractors working on these projects would need to give preference to hiring workers from the local area and buying supplies from local businesses.

The main idea is to keep money circulating within communities rather than having it flow to distant companies. For example, if a city gets federal funding to repair highways, the contractors would be expected to hire local workers for construction jobs and purchase materials from nearby suppliers when possible. This could mean more job opportunities for people in that community and more business for local companies.

The bill affects construction workers, local suppliers, and communities receiving federal infrastructure funding. Workers in areas with federal projects might see more job opportunities, while local businesses could gain contracts they might not otherwise compete for against larger national companies. However, contractors might face additional requirements and paperwork to demonstrate they're meeting local hiring and purchasing goals, which could add some complexity to how federal projects are managed.

Build Local, Hire Local Act

Gillibrand, Kirsten E.

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.