FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1672

C 242 L 18

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning the time period for workers to recover wages under prevailing wage laws.

Sponsors: Representatives Frame, Sells, Gregerson, Doglio, Stambaugh, Ormsby, Manweller, Dent, Stonier, Steele, Walsh, Goodman, Bergquist and Pollet.

House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards

Senate Committee on Commerce, Labor & Sports

Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce

Background:

State law requires that contractors pay prevailing wages to laborers, workers, and mechanics

employed on all public works contracts 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 individuals in the same trade or occupation. The prevailing

wage for each county and occupation is established by the industrial statistician for the

Department of Labor and Industries (Department).

The industrial statistician is authorized to issue determinations regarding the prevailing wage

in response to requests by interested parties. These determinations may be sought to clarify

how prevailing wage law applies to a specific project. For example, determinations may

examine whether the prevailing wage is owed for work on a project or the appropriate scope

of work governing the wage of a given group of workers.

If an employer fails to pay a worker wages owed, the worker may file a wage complaint with

the Department. The Department must investigate and if a violation is found, may order the employer to pay back-pay and interest. The Department applies a three-year statute of limitations and looks back three years for wages owed. Workers may also file a private right of action for unpaid prevailing wages.

Summary:

The time period to recover wages affected by a prevailing wage determination is tolled until the determination is final.

Votes on Final Passage: