Senator Carri Hicks' "Buy American" bill is moving ahead after receiving unanimous approval from the Senate’s Retirement and Government Resources Committee. The legislation, known as Senate Bill 168, is designed to boost American manufacturing by requiring state government agencies to prioritize American-made products for their construction and renovation projects. As reported by the Oklahoma State Senate's official site, SB 168 insists that products like iron, steel, and aluminum used in contracts exceeding $100,000 must be manufactured in the United States.
"I’m proud of this effort to support American jobs and American businesses," Hicks, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, articulated. She believes her legislation will give domestic companies and workers an advantage as public entities from state to local levels invest in infrastructure. However, exceptions are in place for practical reasons such as availability of products and significant cost differences, as the Oklahoma State Senate details.
The committee's nod is a significant step for SB 168, which has been in the works since 2024. It addresses a larger dialogue about the revitalization of American industry and the role of government policy in supporting national economic interests, as per the Oklahoma State Senate. Hicks expressed her appreciation for the committee's support, expressing enthusiasm about moving the bill forward. "I want to express my thanks to the committee members for their approval," Hicks said.
Sector analysts are keeping an eye on the potential impacts of this legislation on the state economy and on local businesses. If enacted, SB 168 could have ramifications for government procurement practices and might inspire similar moves in other states. Hicks urged her fellow senators to get behind SB 168, portraying it as a patriotic and practical measure to underpin American manufacturing and its workforce. "This is a measure I urge all my fellow senators to support on behalf of American manufacturing companies and their workers," she assertively stated, as per the announcement on the Oklahoma State Senate's website.
