The bill aims to strengthen the enforcement of Washington state's prevailing wage laws by imposing sanctions on contractors that have substantially identical operations or management structures to those previously found in violation of these laws. It establishes that if a contractor is linked to another entity that has been debarred or sanctioned under specific sections of the law, they will face the same penalties, which include fines and restrictions on bidding for public works contracts. This is intended to create a fair competitive environment for businesses that comply with wage laws and to prevent taxpayer funds from being awarded to those who violate these regulations.

Key amendments to existing law include the definition of "contractor" to encompass entities with similar operations to those sanctioned, and the introduction of a new section that allows the Department of Labor and Industries to enforce these sanctions. The bill also clarifies the process for issuing notices of violation and the appeal process for contractors affected by these sanctions. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 39.12.010
Substitute Bill: 39.12.010
Bill as Passed Legislature: 39.12.010
Session Law: 39.12.010