Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Commerce & Labor Committee

HB 1589

Brief Description:  Exempting local governments from prevailing wages requirements.

Sponsors:  Representatives Clements, Schoesler and Lisk.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Exempts certain local governments in rural counties from prevailing wage requirements.

Hearing Date:  2/7/01

Staff:  Jill Reinmuth (786‑7134).

Background: 

The state Public Works Act requires that employees of government contractors be paid prevailing wages on public work and public building service maintenance contracts.  The prevailing wage is the hourly wage, usual benefits and overtime, paid in the largest city in each county, to the majority of workers in a particular trade or occupation.  Public work is work, construction, alterations, repairs or improvements other than ordinary maintenance executed at the cost of the state or any county, municipality, or political subdivision.  Public building service maintenance contracts are janitorial service contracts.  Local governments subject to prevailing wage requirements include counties, cities, towns, and most districts.

Summary of Bill: 

The Legislature finds that local governments in rural counties need financial assistance to maintain an adequate infrastructure, and exempts certain local governments in rural counties from prevailing wage requirements.  Rural counties are counties with population densities of less than 100 persons per square mile.

The following local governments are exempt from prevailing wage requirements:

$counties with population densities of less than 100 persons per square mile and populations under 10,000; and

$cities, towns, and districts with populations under 10,000 in counties with population densities of less than 100 persons per square mile.

Rules Authority:  The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule-making powers of an agency.

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

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 31, 2001.