SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6075

As of April 10, 2003

Title: An act relating to requiring the use of a stratified random sampling survey methodology for determination of prevailing wages.

Brief Description: Requiring the use of stratified random sampling survey technology for determination of prevailing wages.

Sponsors: Senators Horn and Swecker.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 4/10/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Greg Doss (786-7341)

Background: The prevailing wage law requires that employees on public works construction projects be paid the prevailing wage. The Department of Labor and Industries administers the prevailing wage law. The prevailing wage is the rate of hourly wage, usual benefits, and overtime paid in a locality to a majority of workers, laborers, or mechanics, in the same trade or occupation. All determinations of the prevailing wage are made by the industrial statistician of the Department of Labor and Industries.

Summary of Bill: The prevailing wage is determined by January 1, 2004, by the industrial statistician using a stratified random sampling method. An 11 member Prevailing Wage Advisory Committee is established comprised of representatives from employee and employer organizations, the counties, and the Department of Labor and Industries. The committee advises the industrial statistician on reliable statistical methods to determine the prevailing rate of wage if the industrial statistician determines the population size or other factors do not allow the effective use of a stratified random sampling method.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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