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Commerce panel hears bill to ban government-mandated project labor agreements on state contracts
Summary
Sen. Regina Birdsell told the Senate Commerce Committee that Senate Bill 88 would bar state agencies from requiring project labor agreements on state-funded construction work; union and contractor groups gave contrasting testimony on costs, competition and worker access.
Sen. Regina Birdsell, sponsor of Senate Bill 88, told the Senate Commerce Committee on Feb. 11 that the bill would prevent state agencies from requiring project labor agreements (PLAs) on state-funded construction projects.
Birdsell said the measure is narrowly targeted to state government procurement and would not prevent contractors from negotiating PLAs privately. "This bill will protect New Hampshire's construction business," she said as she opened the hearing.
The hearing drew sharply divided testimony. Alan Rath of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO told the panel the bill would amount to a ban on PLAs and said PLAs are a market tool that can keep projects on time and on budget while supporting…
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