HB2495 Summary

• Prevailing wage rates must be based on collective bargaining agreements covering at least 30% of workers in the same trade or occupation in the locality where work is performed.

• If no collective bargaining agreements exist in a locality, the Department of Labor determines the prevailing wage based on the nearest similar locality with such agreements.

• Department of Labor must publish prevailing wage schedules on its official website by July 15 each year, including any wage increases directly ascertainable from collective bargaining agreements.

• Public bodies must provide written notice of prevailing wage rates to contractors when awarding work without a written contract, and failure to provide notice makes the public body liable for penalties rather than the contractor.

• Repeals Section 8 of the Prevailing Wage Act and clarifies that the Department of Labor (rather than individual public bodies) conducts prevailing wage determinations and handles objections and hearings.