SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5774

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Labor, February 18, 2015

Title: An act relating to requiring tracking of prevailing wage surveys.

Brief Description: Requiring tracking of prevailing wage surveys.

Sponsors: Senators Braun, Baumgartner and Brown.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Labor: 2/16/15, 2/18/15 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Baumgartner, Chair; Braun, Vice Chair; King and Warnick.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

Signed by Senators Hasegawa, Ranking Minority Member; Conway and Keiser.

Staff: Susan Jones (786-7404)

Background: Employers on public works projects must pay prevailing wages. The prevailing wage is the hourly wage, usual benefits, and overtime paid to the majority of workers in the same trade or occupation in the largest city of the county where the work is being performed. If the majority of workers in a trade or occupation in the largest city of the county are paid the same wage, that wage becomes the prevailing wage. If no single wage rate is paid to a majority of workers, an average wage is calculated and becomes the prevailing wage.

Prevailing wage rates are established by the industrial statistician at the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) for each trade and occupation employed in the performance of public work. To determine the prevailing wages, L&I conducts wage surveys where employers, contractors, and labor unions are asked to submit wage and hour data. L&I develops the wage survey mailing lists using industrial insurance, intent and affidavit filings, and licensing data. Under L&I's rule, wage and hour surveys will be used only when submitted by certain entities listed in its rule.

Summary of Bill: L&I must keep track of the number of wage surveys it sends and the number of responses it receives for each of the following categories:

The categories are similar to those currently provided in the L&I rule.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Determining the prevailing wage accurately is important.

CON: L&I is already collecting information. The bill is confusing and redundant. There is rulemaking coming. This bill is premature.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Braun, prime sponsor.

CON: Josh Swanson, International Union of the Operating Engineers; Lee Newgent, WA Building Trades; Larry Stevens, National Electrical Contractors Assn., Mechanical Contractors Assn.