S-4518               _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6346

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Economic Development and Labor (originally sponsored by Senators West, Anderson and Saling)

Read first time 1/27/88.

AN ACT Relating to the department of labor and industries; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that it is often difficult for contractors, workers, and other interested parties to understand the methods and procedures used by the department of labor and industries in determining the prevailing rate of wage on public works contracts.  The legislature also recognizes that the department of labor and industries is unable to investigate many of the complaints that are filed concerning nonpayment of the prevailing rate of wage.  The legislature therefore declares that an independent comprehensive review of the methodology utilized by the department in setting the prevailing wage and of the adequacy of the enforcement procedures for the prevailing wage would be beneficial to the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The legislative budget committee shall conduct a study of the methodology used by the department of labor and industries in establishing the prevailing wage and the adequacy of the enforcement procedures, including the adoption of a certified public payroll as utilized by the federal government and whether there is a need for stricter penalties.  The legislative budget committee shall also examine the need for more staff and resources by the department in order to achieve greater accuracy in the prevailing wage survey and to adequately enforce the prevailing wage statutes.  The legislative budget committee shall solicit input from interested parties and organizations while conducting the study under this section.  The committee shall complete its study and submit a report containing its findings and recommendations to the governor and the economic development and labor committee of the senate and the commerce and labor committee of the house of representatives by October 1, 1988.