Last week, we encouraged cities to tune into the activity around SB 5726, a bill requiring that wages paid to laborers of public works be the latest prevailing wage rate in effect at the time the work is performed. The bill was scheduled for a hearing in the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee, but then taken off the agenda when the Committee Chair was not willing to hear the legislation. However, bill proponents advocated strongly for a hearing and now SB 5726 is rescheduled for a hearing in the same committee this Tuesday at 10:30 am.

As before, AWC asks that you communicate your concerns with the impact of the bill this week while it is considered by the House. Contact your legislator and testify or submit written comments to the Committee. Several changes recently made to the bill could confuse the bidding process and would create a requirement for excessive change orders. Read our summary of the bill as it currently stands.

Communicate your concerns with the impact of the bill this week while it is considered by the House.

AWC will testify asking for the bill sponsor and proponents to set the bill aside for the session, allowing for interim work to occur. We believe experts and other stakeholders should have the chance to craft a more comprehensive piece of legislation. If our request goes unmet, AWC has provided language that would address our largest concerns by creating a more streamlined approach to the policy goals of the bill.

Date to remember

SB 5726 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee on Tuesday, March 28, at 10:30 am.