DE HB296

Exempts school districts and charter schools from Delaware's prevailing wage requirements for public works construction projects

Currently, public works contracts over $500,000 for new construction or $45,000 for alterations/repairs must pay prevailing wages set by the Delaware Department of Labor

Addresses rising school construction costs, with districts and charter schools reporting $260,163,873 in market pressure inflation between Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024

School districts requested $175,331,704 in state support to offset these increased construction costs

Allows school districts and charter schools to decide independently whether to pay prevailing wage rates on their construction projects