Requiring the consideration of project labor agreements for certain state construction projects

This bill requires a state agency to consider using a project labor agreement for a large-scale construction project. The bill defines a “project labor agreement” as a comprehensive pre-hire collective bargaining agreement that is negotiated between a project’s owner and an appropriate labor organization and sets out the basic terms and working conditions for that particular project. The bill defines a “large-scale construction project” as the construction, rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, extension, repair, or improvement of a vertical public works project, including a building and other real property-related project, for which the total project cost is $25 million or more. The bill authorizes a state agency to require the use of a project labor agreement when the use will advance the state’s interest. The bill sets out certain factors for making such a decision. The bill delineates requirements for a project labor agreement. The bill specifies that the bill should not be construed to preclude a state agency from using a project labor agreement for any construction project not otherwise covered by the bill. The bill specifies that the bill should not be construed to require a contractor or subcontractor to enter into a project labor agreement with any particular labor organization. The bill applies notwithstanding provisions of law prohibiting certain prequalification requirements and award conditions for public improvement projects.