SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   EHB 1246

                             AS OF MARCH 29, 1991

Brief Description:  Enforcing the payment of prevailing wages.

SPONSORS:Representatives R. King, Winsley, Jones, Ebersole, Prentice, O'Brien, R. Meyers, Scott and Phillips.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Staff:  Jonathan Seib (786‑7427)

Hearing Dates:April 3, 1991

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.

The requirement is deleted that an agency violation of the prevailing wage law must be willful.  An agency is liable for worker wages if the agency knowingly fails to comply with the prevailing wage law.

Appropriation: none 

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested