SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6694


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 Passed Senate, February 19, 2008

Title: An act relating to adjusting the fee for approval of statements of intent to pay prevailing wages and certification of affidavits of wages paid to forty dollars.

Brief Description: Adjusting the fee for approval of statements of intent to pay prevailing wages and certification of affidavits of wages paid to forty dollars.

Sponsors: Senators Murray and Kohl-Welles; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 2/4/08, 2/7/08 [DP, DNP].

Passed Senate: 2/19/08, 30-17.


SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Keiser, Vice Chair; Franklin, Murray and Prentice.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senators Holmquist, Ranking Minority Member; Hewitt and King.

Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)

Background: Statements of intent to pay prevailing wages must be submitted to the public owner on a public works project by the contractor before any payment is made on a public works contract. Following final acceptance of a project, each contractor must submit to the public owner an affidavit of wages paid before funds are released. Statements of intent and affidavits of wages must be certified by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).

L&I may charge fees to awarding agencies on public works projects for the approval of statements of intent to pay prevailing wages and the certification of affidavits of wages paid. The fee charged cannot exceed $25.

Summary of Bill: The fee charged for the approval of statements of intent to pay prevailing wages and the certification of affidavits of wages paid is changed from $25 to $40.

Appropriation: None.
[OFM requested a ten-year cost projection pursuant to I-960.]

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect July 1, 2008.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill increases the fees charged by L&I for prevailing wage documents to address financial shortfalls in the prevailing wage program. The fee was last changed was 1993.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Josh Swanson, L&I; David Johnson, Building Trades; Rick Slunaker, Associated General Contractors.