The House Capital Budget Committee declined to vote on SB 5061, effectively killing the bill.

The bill was the latest version in a series of attempts to advance a similar policy in recent years. AWC anticipates that proponents will continue to press for adoption of the policy, and we plan to engage in any opportunity for stakeholder work that arises over the interim.

Annual adjustments to prevailing wages required for public works projects under returning bill

February 13, 2026

Legislation intending to ensure that workers on public works projects are paid the prevailing wage in effect at the time the work is performed passed its house of origin after making a stealthy reappearance this year.

Under SB 5061, sponsored by Sen. Steve Conway (D–Tacoma), public works contracts must stipulate that the wages for laborers, workers, or mechanics be adjusted annually to provide that their wages are no less than the latest prevailing wage.

Currently, prevailing wages are frozen from the time bids are due for the duration of the project, regardless of how long it takes to complete the project, which can sometimes take years. This means that in some cases workers may not be paid the current prevailing wage during the time the work is performed.

Residential construction projects and small works projects are exempt from the bill’s requirement. However, construction of infrastructure serving residential projects remains subject to the legislation.

If adopted, the bill would go into effect July 1, 2027, to allow time to resolve the challenge of multiple collective bargaining agreements within one county.

This year’s bill is a continuation of a years-long stakeholder process in which AWC was actively engaged. View AWC’s coverage of the bill’s progression.

AWC supports the premise of paying the appropriate wages on public works projects and supports the bill in its present form.

SB 5061 as amended passed off the Senate floor on February 12, well ahead of the house-of-origin cutoff. It now awaits a hearing in the House.