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HB 227

An Act prohibiting public school entities from engaging in certain communications and actions involving prohibited indoctrination; and providing for requirements for public contractors and for enforcement.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marla Brown and 10 co-sponsors

Requires all US and North Carolina flags bought with public funds to be 100% manufactured in the United States from US-grown/produced materials, effective Oct 1, 2025.

Referred to Education
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Bill Summary · HB 227

HB 227 — U.S. & N.C. Flags / Made in USA (North Carolina)

Purpose

Require that flags of the United States and of North Carolina purchased with public funds by State institutions or political subdivisions be manufactured entirely in the United States from U.S.-grown or U.S.-produced component materials.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new section to Chapter 144 of the North Carolina General Statutes (proposed G.S. § 144‑10).
  • Prohibits any State institution or political subdivision from using public funds to purchase a U.S. flag or a North Carolina flag unless the flag is:
    • one hundred percent (100%) manufactured in the United States; and
    • made from articles, materials, or supplies that have been grown or one hundred percent (100%) produced or manufactured in the United States.
  • Effective date: October 1, 2025.
  • Scope: applies to purchases made on or after the effective date.

Who is affected

  • State institutions (agencies, departments) and political subdivisions (counties, municipalities, other local government entities) that buy flags with public funds.
  • Vendors and suppliers of U.S. and North Carolina flags — particularly manufacturers that currently produce flags, or source components, outside the United States.
  • State and local procurement officials responsible for sourcing and contracting for supplies.

Practical and administrative impacts

  • Procurement compliance: agencies will need procedures to verify and document that flags meet the 100% U.S. manufacture/material requirement (e.g., supplier certifications, country-of-origin documentation, contract clauses).
  • Contracting: existing contracts likely unaffected for past purchases, but new purchases after Oct 1, 2025 must meet the requirement; some current suppliers may not qualify, potentially reducing the vendor pool.
  • Price and supply: limiting purchases to fully U.S.-made flags could increase costs and limit availability, depending on domestic production capacity.
  • No enforcement mechanisms or penalties are specified in the text beyond the statutory prohibition on using public funds for non‑compliant flags.

Fiscal and legal considerations

  • Fiscal: the bill itself contains no appropriation; possible indirect fiscal effects include higher procurement costs for flags and modest administrative costs to implement verification processes.
  • Legal: the measure is a state procurement preference for domestically produced goods (similar to “Buy American” policies). Potential legal questions could arise regarding compliance with federal procurement rules or interstate commerce concerns, depending on implementation and any applicable federal requirements.

Implementation notes / next steps for governments

  • Update purchasing policies and procurement manuals to reflect the new requirement.
  • Add vendor certification and contract language to attest to 100% U.S. manufacture and materials.
  • Assess current inventory and supplier base; identify domestic suppliers or potential needs to solicit U.S.-made flag manufacturers.
  • Develop recordkeeping procedures to document compliance for audits.

Sponsors noted in the bill text include Representatives Goodwin, Chesser, Riddell, and Charles Smith (primary sponsors). Effective and applicability dates are specified in the bill text: becomes effective October 1, 2025, and applies to purchases made on or after that date.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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