Signed by Governor Mitch Daniels, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that requires all recipients of state contracts for the construction of public works to pay their workers a scale of wages not less than the common construction wage.

Highlights:

• Requires all firms, individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations awarded contracts by the state for the construction of a public work to pay its workers a scale of wages not less than the "common construction wage" (Sec. 1).

• Defines "common construction wage" as a scale of wages that is not less than the common construction wage of all construction wages being paid in the county where a project is located (Sec. 2).

• Exempts the following projects from this act (Sec. 1):
• Projects in which the actual construction costs are less than $250,000, for contracts awarded after December 31, 2011 but before January 1, 2013; and
• Projects in which the actual construction costs are less than $350,000, for contracts awarded after December 31, 2012.

• Prohibits contractors from artificially dividing a public works project into 2 or more projects in order to avoid the application of this act (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that requires all recipients of state contracts for the construction of public works to pay their workers a scale of wages not less than the common construction wage.

Highlights:

• Requires all firms, individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations awarded contracts by the state for the construction of a public work to pay its workers a scale of wages not less than the "common construction wage" (Sec. 1).

• Defines "common construction wage" as a scale of wages that is not less than the common construction wage of all construction wages being paid in the county where a project is located (Sec. 2).

• Exempts the following projects from this act (Sec. 1):
• Projects in which the actual construction costs are less than $250,000, for contracts awarded after December 31, 2011 but before January 1, 2013; and
• Projects in which the actual construction costs are less than $350,000, for contracts awarded after December 31, 2012.

• Prohibits contractors from artificially dividing a public works project into 2 or more projects in order to avoid the application of this act (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes limits on project labor agreements relating to government construction jobs.

Highlights:

• Specifies that plans, specifications, and contract documents for a public works contract may not (Sec. 5):
• Require a bidder, contractor, or subcontractor to enter into or comply with an agreement with a labor organization on the same or a related public works project; or
• Discriminate against a bidder, contractor, or subcontractor for refusing to enter into, remain signatory to, or comply with an agreement with a labor organization on the same or a related public works project.

• Increases the threshold for the application of the common construction wage statute from $150,000 to $250,000 for contracts awarded after December 31, 2011 and before January 1, 2013 (Sec. 2).

• Increases the threshold for the application of the common construction wage statute from $250,000 to $350,000 for contracts awarded after December 31, 2012 (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that a public works project may not be artificially divided into 2 or more projects to avoid application of the common construction wage statute (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text