This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by introducing a new article, designated as 21-5A, which reestablishes prevailing wages for certain state government contracts. It outlines the policy that all workmen employed by public authorities for the construction of public improvements must be paid no less than the prevailing hourly wage for similar work in the locality. The bill includes provisions for defining key terms, requiring contractors to ascertain and include wage rates in contract specifications, and mandates annual determinations of prevailing wage rates by the Division of Labor. It also establishes procedures for filing objections to these determinations, conducting hearings, and providing for judicial review and appeals.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that contracts must contain provisions regarding minimum wages, requires wage rates to be posted at construction sites, and mandates recordkeeping by contractors and subcontractors. It establishes penalties for violations, including fines for willful noncompliance and provisions for workers to recover unpaid wages. Importantly, the law will only apply to contracts for construction on public improvements let after the effective date of the article, ensuring that it does not retroactively affect existing contracts. This legislation effectively reinstates the Prevailing Wage Law that was in place prior to its repeal in 2016.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 21-5A-1, 21-5A-2, 21-5A-3, 21-5A-4, 21-5A-5, 21-5A-6, 21-5A-7, 21-5A-8, 21-5A-9