Committee backs Buy America, Buy Union grant program after heated debate over union preference and amendments

House Bill 15-40, which would establish a Buy America, Buy Union grant program in the Department of Community and Economic Development to reimburse political subdivisions and authorities for a portion of the cost of procuring vehicles made in the United States with union labor, was favorably reported as committed by the House Labor and Industry Committee on Oct. 11, 2025.

The bill would allow municipal entities and local authorities to apply to receive up to 20 percent reimbursement of procurement costs for qualifying vehicles; grants would be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis until the fund is exhausted.

Representative Aaron Siegel, the bill’s prime sponsor, framed the measure as an industry-and-worker policy intended to reshore manufacturing jobs and support unionized labor. “The idea is that anytime we expend public tax dollars in this Commonwealth ... let's make sure that those tax dollars support an American manufacturing complex where the workers ... are subject to collective bargaining,” Siegel said. He added that the Commonwealth would reimburse “20 of that cost associated with buying those American made vehicles.”

The committee debated two significant amendments before voting. Chairman Grove offered Amendment A01095 to remove the union requirement; Grove argued the change would avoid picking winners and ensure all U.S. manufacturers could compete. Representative Seacole, among other supporters of the original text, called the union preference central to the bill’s purpose, saying, “To vote for this amendment is to vote against the American worker.” The amendment to strip the union requirement failed on a roll call.

Representative Barger offered Amendment A01113, which would have required applicants to certify cooperation with federal immigration enforcement (including facility access and detainer cooperation). Committee counsel or the chair moved that the amendment was unconstitutional under anti-commandeering principles, citing the Tenth Amendment and Supreme Court precedent that limits federal compulsion of state and local governments. The panel ruled the amendment unconstitutional and did not adopt it.

Members aired multiple policy and implementation concerns during extended debate. Questions included whether the 20 percent reimbursement is intended to offset higher costs associated with union labor, how the grant interacts with existing cooperative procurement contracts such as CoStar (used by many municipalities), and whether first-come, first-served distribution would advantage larger jurisdictions that make bulk purchases. Several members argued the bill effectively “picks winners” by prioritizing union-made products; proponents said the policy advances worker standards and American manufacturing and that incentives are an appropriate use of public funds.

After votes on the amendments and further discussion, the committee took a roll call and reported House Bill 15-40 favorably as committed.

The bill will now be considered by the full House; specific funding level and administrative rules for the program will be determined if the legislature approves the measure.