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House approves bill letting state agencies optionally use project labor agreements for large projects
Summary
Lawmakers passed House Bill 11‑30 as amended to authorize, not require, state departments and higher education institutions to use project labor agreements (PLAs) on state public projects over $1 million. Supporters said the change clarifies existing authority; opponents worried about preferential treatment.
The House adopted House Bill 11‑30 on Thursday after floor amendments narrowed the bill and sponsors emphasized the measure is optional, not mandatory.
Representative Carter, a sponsor, told the House the measure would allow state departments and institutions of higher education the option to use a project labor agreement (PLA) on public projects exceeding $1 million, using the same definition currently in law for energy projects. "I want to be very clear about something…It is not a mandate. Once again, it is not a mandate," Carter said on the floor.
Floor amendments sought to clarify that the bill would not steer contracts only to unionized shops and that contractors who have demonstrated compliance with prior projects would remain eligible. Representative Richardson offered amendments to ensure contractors with a verifiable record of completing public projects on time and in budget remain eligible; those amendments were debated but the House ultimately adopted the committee report and passed the bill.
Opponents warned of potential constitutional preference concerns and argued the bill could be used in ways some contractors find exclusionary. Supporters said the PLA authority already exists and the strike‑below amendments clarify the option and define the PLA under statute to reduce legal uncertainty.
The House passed the bill and moved it forward for further consideration.
