This bill amends existing law to extend the prohibition on public works contracts to cooperatives when one of their members fails to pay prevailing wages. Currently, contractors or subcontractors who do not comply with prevailing wage laws are barred from receiving public works contracts for three years. The new language specifies that this prohibition will also apply to any cooperative, corporation, or partnership in which at least one member is a contractor or subcontractor listed for failing to pay prevailing wages.

Additionally, the bill provides a definition of "cooperative" as a system of collective ownership where shareholders or co-owners have a long-term proprietary interest or control over the business operations. It also clarifies the term "interest" to include various forms of involvement with the firm, corporation, or partnership, and establishes a rebuttable presumption of interest based on shared characteristics or capacities between entities. The bill is set to take effect 90 days after enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:11-56.38