SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1298

BYRepresentatives R. King, Winsley, Vekich, Baugher, Leonard, Gallagher, Sayan, Cole, Walk, Prentice, Heavey, Dellwo, Belcher, Scott, Rector, Basich, Jones, Nelson, Phillips, Pruitt, Brekke and Ebersole

Enforcing the payment of prevailing wages.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 28, 1989; March 31, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; McDonald, McMullen, Matson, Smitherman, Warnke, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:Jonathan Seib (786-7427)

                  March 31, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, MARCH 31, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The state prevailing wage law requires prevailing wages to be paid to employees on public works construction projects.  All public works contracts must contain a provision requiring the payment of prevailing wages.  Before an agency may disburse any payment on a public works contract, the contractor and subcontractors are required to submit a "statement of intent to pay prevailing wages."  When the agency finally accepts the project, an "affidavit of wages paid" must be submitted before the agency may release the final payments.

An agency that willfully fails to comply with the prevailing wage requirements is liable for any wages due to the project's employees under the prevailing wage law.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature declares that there is a need to assure that public agencies carry out their responsibilities under the prevailing wage law and that an enforceable standard of compliance is established.

Agencies that knowingly fail to comply with the requirements of the prevailing wage law are liable for wages due to employees.  The requirement that the violation be willful is deleted.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The prevailing wage rate must be paid only to laborers, workers or mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors directly upon the project site of work.

Senate Committee - Testified: Roy Bettesworth, Washington Aggregates and Concrete Association; Bob Dilger, Washington State Building Trades; Judith Jewell, Olympian Precast; Leonard Compton, Lone Star Northwest; Clif Finch, AWB; Mark McDermott, Department of Labor and Industries