Senate Bill S7837

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Establishes the buy American, buy union grant program and the buy American, buy union grant fund

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Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Commerce, Economic Development And Small Business Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
May 09, 2025	referred to commerce, economic development and small business

2025-S7837 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Commerce, Economic Development And Small Business
Law Section:: Economic Development Law
Laws Affected:: Add Art 23 §§450 - 457, Ec Dev L; add §98-e, St Fin L

2025-S7837 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes the buy American, buy union grant program and the buy American, buy union grant fund for the purpose of providing grants to municipal subdivisions to reimburse such municipal subdivisions for the costs of procuring consumer or commercial vehicles which are union-made.

2025-S7837 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7837

SPONSOR: RYAN C
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the economic development law and the state finance law,
in relation to establishing the buy American, buy union grant program
and the buy American, buy union grant fund

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To promote domestic manufacturing and union labor by establishing a
state grant program that incentivizes local governments to procure
union-made vehicles manufactured in the United States.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Adds a new Article 23 to the Economic Development Law, estab-
lishing the Buy American, Buy Union Grant Program within the Department
of Economic Development. The program will provide reimbursement grants
to political subdivisions for up to 20% of the cost of consumer or
commercial vehicles that are union-made in the U.S. Defines key terms

including "union-made," "vehicle," "political subdivision," and others.
Establishes an application process with required documentation (vehicle
description, union certification, procurement evidence). Grants will be
awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until program funds are
exhausted.

Section 2: Adds a new § 98-e to the State Finance Law to create the Buy
American, Buy Union Grant Fund, administered jointly by the State Comp-
troller and Commissioner of Taxation and Finance. Funds may come from
state appropriations, federal funds, private donations, or other
contributions.  Unspent funds roll over annually and remain dedicated to
the program.

Section 3: Sets an effective date of 60 days after becoming law, with
immediate authority for the Department to implement necessary regu-
lations.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

At a time when supply chains are vulnerable and working families are
under economic strain, New York State has a unique opportunity to
support both domestic manufacturing and union labor. This legislation
ensures that state dollars spent on vehicles go toward products made in
the United States by union workers under fair labor standards. By incen-
tivizing political subdivisions to choose union-made vehicles, this
program strengthens local economies through job creation and retention,
rewards ethical labor practices in procurement decisions, and reduces
reliance on foreign supply chains that may not uphold the same labor
protections. Municipalities are often under budget pressure when replac-
ing vehicles. A modest state grant-up to 20%-can make the difference in
choosing a union-made product, thus aligning public spending with New
York's values.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 60 days after becoming law.

2025-S7837 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7837
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                                May 9, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. C. RYAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Commerce, Economic  Devel-
   opment and Small Business
 
 AN  ACT to amend the economic development law and the state finance law,
   in relation to establishing the buy American, buy union grant  program
   and the buy American, buy union grant fund
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The economic development law is amended  by  adding  a  new
 article 23 to read as follows:
                                ARTICLE 23
                   BUY AMERICAN, BUY UNION GRANT PROGRAM
 SECTION 450. DEFINITIONS.
         451. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.
         452. OPERATION OF PROGRAM.
         453. APPLICATION.
         454. LIMITATIONS.
         455. DETERMINATION.
         456. REPORTS.
         457. RULES AND REGULATIONS.
   §  450. DEFINITIONS. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS
 SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   1. (A) "BUS" SHALL MEAN:
   (I) A MOTOR VEHICLE DESIGNED TO TRANSPORT SIXTEEN OR MORE  PASSENGERS,
 INCLUDING THE DRIVER; OR
   (II)  A  MOTOR  VEHICLE,  OTHER  THAN A TAXICAB, LIMOUSINE OR PERSONAL
 VEHICLE DESIGNED TO TRANSPORT NOT MORE THAN FIFTEEN PASSENGERS,  INCLUD-
 ING  THE  DRIVER, AND USED FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF PERSONS FOR COMPEN-
 SATION.
   (B) "BUS" SHALL NOT INCLUDE A VEHICLE USED IN A  RIDESHARING  ARRANGE-
 MENT.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD11958-01-5

 S. 7837                             2
 
   2.  "BUSINESS  ENTITY"  SHALL MEAN A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, LIMITED
 LIABILITY COMPANY, BUSINESS TRUST, ASSOCIATION, ESTATE,  TRUST,  FOUNDA-
 TION OR SIMILAR ENTITY.
   3.  "FUND"  SHALL MEAN THE "BUY AMERICAN, BUY UNION GRANT FUND" ESTAB-
 LISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION NINETY-EIGHT-E OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW.
   4. (A) "LABOR ORGANIZATION" SHALL MEAN ANY ORGANIZATION OF  ANY  KIND,
 OR  ANY  AGENCY  OR  EMPLOYEE  REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE OR PLAN IN WHICH
 EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATE, AND WHICH EXISTS FOR THE PURPOSE, IN WHOLE OR  IN
 PART,  OF  DEALING WITH EMPLOYERS CONCERNING GRIEVANCES, LABOR DISPUTES,
 WAGES, RATES OF PAY, HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT, OR  CONDITIONS  OF  WORK,  BUT
 SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY LABOR ORGANIZATION WHICH, BY RITUALISTIC PRACTICE,
 CONSTITUTIONAL  OR  STATE  LAW  PROSCRIPTION,  TACIT AGREEMENT AMONG ITS
 MEMBERS, OR OTHERWISE, DENIES A PERSON  OR  PERSONS  MEMBERSHIP  IN  ITS
 ORGANIZATION ON ACCOUNT OF RACE, CREED, COLOR, OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION.
   (B)  "LABOR  ORGANIZATION"  SHALL NOT INCLUDE AN ORGANIZATION IN WHICH
 MORE THAN ONE-HALF OF THE EMPLOYEES  OF  THE  ORGANIZATION  ARE  OWNERS,
 OFFICERS OR EXECUTIVES OF SUCH ORGANIZATION.
   5.  "PASSENGER  CAR"  SHALL MEAN A MOTOR VEHICLE, EXCEPT A MOTORCYCLE,
 DESIGNED PRIMARILY FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF PERSONS  AND  DESIGNED  FOR
 CARRYING  NO  MORE  THAN  FIFTEEN  PASSENGERS, INCLUDING THE DRIVER, AND
 PRIMARILY USED FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF PERSONS. "PASSENGER CAR"  SHALL
 INCLUDE MOTOR VEHICLES WHICH ARE DESIGNED WITH SEATS THAT MAY BE READILY
 REMOVED  AND  REINSTALLED,  BUT  DOES  NOT INCLUDE SUCH VEHICLES IF USED
 PRIMARILY FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF PROPERTY.
   6. "PROCURE" SHALL MEAN TO ACQUIRE BY PURCHASE,  LEASE  OR  RENT,  BUT
 SHALL NOT INCLUDE ACQUIRING BY LEASE OR RENT OF THE TERM OF THE LEASE OR
 RENT IS LESS THAN ONE MONTH.
   7.  "PROGRAM"  SHALL  MEAN  THE  BUY AMERICAN, BUY UNION GRANT PROGRAM
 ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
   8. "SCHOOL BUS" SHALL MEAN A MOTOR VEHICLE WHICH IS:
   (A) DESIGNED TO CARRY ELEVEN PASSENGERS OR MORE, INCLUDING THE DRIVER;
 AND
   (B) IS USED FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF PREPRIMARY, PRIMARY OR SECONDARY
 SCHOOL STUDENTS TO OR FROM  PUBLIC,  PRIVATE  OR  PAROCHIAL  SCHOOLS  OR
 EVENTS RELATED TO SUCH SCHOOLS OR SCHOOL-RELATED ACTIVITIES.
   9.  "UNION-MADE" SHALL MEAN ASSEMBLED AS PART OF THE FINAL STEP IN THE
 MANUFACTURING PROCESS TO CREATE A FINISHED PRODUCT, AT A  PLAN,  FACTORY
 OR OTHER SITE OF A BUSINESS ENTITY WHICH IS:
   (A) LOCATED IN THE UNITED STATES; AND
   (B)  OPERATING UNDER A BONA FIDE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT NEGO-
 TIATED BY A BONA FIDE LABOR ORGANIZATION.
   10. "VEHICLE" SHALL MEAN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
   (A) A BUS;
   (B) A PASSENGER CAR;
   (C) A SCHOOL BUS;
   (D) A SCHOOL VEHICLE; OR
   (E) A TRUCK, INCLUDING A GARBAGE TRUCK.
   § 451. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. THE "BUY AMERICAN,  BUY  UNION  GRANT
 PROGRAM" IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
   § 452. OPERATION OF PROGRAM. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPLEMENT AND ADMIN-
 ISTER THE PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING GRANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
 THIS  ARTICLE  TO REIMBURSE POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS THAT PROCURE CONSUMER
 OR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES WHICH ARE UNION-MADE.
   § 453. APPLICATION. 1. (A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVELOP AN APPLICATION
 FORM FOR POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS TO USE TO APPLY FOR A  GRANT  UNDER  THE
 PROGRAM.
 S. 7837                             3

   (B)  THE  APPLICATION  FORM  MAY  SPECIFY THE MOST COMMON CONSUMER AND
 COMMERCIAL VEHICLES THAT  WOULD  BE  ELIGIBLE  FOR  A  GRANT  UNDER  THE
 PROGRAM.
   (C)  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL POST AND MAKE PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE THE APPLI-
 CATION FORM ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE.
   2. A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION APPLYING FOR  A  GRANT  UNDER  THE  PROGRAM
 SHALL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO THE DEPARTMENT:
   (A) THE NAME OF AND CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION;
   (B) THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT REQUESTED;
   (C) THE NUMBER OF CONSUMER OR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES WHICH ARE UNION-MADE
 FOR  WHICH  A GRANT UNDER THE PROGRAM IS SOUGHT, INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION
 OF THE VEHICLE OR VEHICLES;
   (D) EVIDENCE OF PROCUREMENT AND UNION-MADE STATUS; AND
   (E) ANY OTHER INFORMATION THE DEPARTMENT DEEMS NECESSARY.
   3. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH THE MANNER AND PROCESS  FOR  SUBMIT-
 TING  COMPLETED  APPLICATION  FORMS FOR CONSIDERATION UNDER THE PROGRAM,
 INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DEADLINES FOR SUBMITTAL.
   § 454. LIMITATIONS. 1. THE AMOUNT OF A GRANT UNDER THE PROGRAM  FOR  A
 POLITICAL SUBDIVISION APPLICANT SHALL BE LIMITED TO NOT MORE THAN TWENTY
 PERCENT OF THE COSTS INCURRED BY THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION REGARDING THE
 PROCUREMENT OF THE CONSUMER OR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES WHICH ARE UNION-MADE.
   2. GRANTS UNDER THE PROGRAM SHALL BE DISBURSED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-
 SERVED  BASIS  DETERMINED  BY  THE DEPARTMENT AND UNTIL ALL MONEY IN THE
 FUND IS EXHAUSTED.
   § 455. DETERMINATION. 1. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL  REVIEW  EACH  COMPLETED
 APPLICATION  FOR A GRANT UNDER THE PROGRAM AND SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER A
 GRANT SHALL BE AWARDED.
   2. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE OF THE  DETERMINATION  PURSUANT
 TO  SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF  THIS  SECTION.  THE FOLLOWING SHALL APPLY WITH
 RESPECT TO SUCH NOTICE:
   (A) IF THE DEPARTMENT  SHALL  AWARD  A  GRANT,  THE  DEPARTMENT  SHALL
 INCLUDE  THE  AMOUNT  OF THE GRANT AND ANY CONDITIONS ON THE USE OF SUCH
 GRANT; AND
   (B) IF THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT AWARD A GRANT IN WHOLE OR IN PART,  THE
 DEPARTMENT SHALL INCLUDE THE REASONS FOR THE FULL OR PARTIAL DENIAL.
   §  456.  REPORTS. 1. NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWEN-
 TY-SIX, AND ANNUALLY ON SEPTEMBER FIRST THEREAFTER, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
 ISSUE AN ANNUAL REPORT DETAILING THE OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM  AND  FUND
 DURING THE PRECEDING YEAR.
   2.  EACH ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL INCLUDE
 THE FOLLOWING:
   (A) THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR GRANTS UNDER  THE  PROGRAM
 AND THE TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT OF SUCH GRANTS APPLIED FOR;
   (B)  THE  NUMBER  OF  APPLICANTS  WHO  WERE  AWARDED A GRANT UNDER THE
 PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE AMOUNT OF EACH GRANT AWARDED;
   (C) THE NUMBER OF  APPLICANTS  WHO  WERE  DENIED  A  GRANT  UNDER  THE
 PROGRAM,  IN  WHOLE  OR  IN  PART, INCLUDING THE REASONS FOR THE FULL OR
 PARTIAL DENIAL;
   (D) THE AMOUNT OF MONEY REMAINING IN THE FUND AT SUCH TIME; AND
   (E) ANY OTHER INFORMATION THE DEPARTMENT DEEMS NECESSARY.
   3. THE REPORT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE SUBMITTED  TO
 THE  GOVERNOR,  THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF
 THE ASSEMBLY.
   4. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL POST AND MAKE PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE EACH  ANNUAL
 REPORT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE.
 S. 7837                             4
 
   §  457.  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS.  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROMULGATE ANY
 RULES OR REGULATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ARTICLE.
   §  2. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 98-e to
 read as follows:
   § 98-E. BUY AMERICAN, BUY UNION GRANT FUND. 1. THERE IS HEREBY  ESTAB-
 LISHED IN THE JOINT CUSTODY OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMISSION-
 ER OF TAXATION AND FINANCE A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "BUY AMERI-
 CAN, BUY UNION GRANT FUND".
   2.  ALL MONEY DEPOSITED INTO SUCH FUND AND INTEREST AND OTHER EARNINGS
 ON MONEY IN SUCH FUND SHALL BE APPROPRIATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOM-
 IC DEVELOPMENT ON A CONTINUING BASIS FOR  PURPOSES  OF  AWARDING  GRANTS
 UNDER  THE BUY AMERICAN, BUY UNION GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO
 ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW.
   3. ANY MONEY REMAINING IN SUCH FUND AT THE END OF  EACH  FISCAL  YEAR,
 INCLUDING INTEREST AND OTHER EARNINGS, SHALL REMAIN IN SUCH FUND.
   4. THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MAY SOLICIT AND ACCEPT FUND-
 ING  FOR  THE BUY AMERICAN, BUY UNION GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT
 TO ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW,  INCLUDING  BUT
 NOT  LIMITED  TO  MONEY  APPROPRIATED BY THE LEGISLATURE, FEDERAL MONEY,
 GRANTS, DONATIONS, GIFTS AND OTHER PAYMENTS FROM ANY SOURCE, WHICH SHALL
 BE DEPOSITED INTO THE FUND ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth  day  after  it  shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 repeal  of  any  rule  or regulation necessary for the implementation of
 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made  and  completed
 on or before such date.

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Senate Bill S7837

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Commerce, Economic Development And Small Business Committee

Actions

2025-S7837 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S7837 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S7837 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S7837 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Sponsored By

Christopher J. Ryan

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Commerce, Economic Development And Small Business Committee

Actions

2025-S7837 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S7837 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S7837 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S7837 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments