Rep. Davis' public works bill heads to Governor's desk STATEHOUSE - A bill penned by State Rep. Bill Davis (R-Portland) dealing with public works projects passed its final vote in the House on Friday and now heads to Gov. Mitch Daniels' desk for approval. House Bill 1216 amends current law regarding common construction wage requirements for public works. Currently, a common wage committee may set a common wage that workers in particular fields or classifications must be paid for particular public projects that cost more than $150,000. HB 1216 amends this law by changing the threshold from $150,000 to $250,000 for projects awarded in 2012 and $350,000 for projects awarded in 2013 and beyond. "This bill is important in helping out local communities and local businesses," said Rep. Davis. "Adjusting the threshold at which the common construction wage must be applied can lower project costs and allow communities to spend their money for efficiently." HB 1216 also changes what topics and materials may be discussed at the common construction wage committee meetings and prohibits a public project from being artificially split to get around the common construction wage statue. "Adjusting the threshold will encourage local businesses to bid on these projects. Many of them are currently hesitant to bid on some of these projects because of the added complications that the common wage requirements can bring. In the end I feel that this bill has the potential to really benefit our Hoosier communities." The bill also assigns a legislative summer study committee to study the use of project labor agreements (PLA), agreements between the awarding agency and a labor union, in public projects and the job classifications used in common construction wage determination. -30-
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