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Committee advances SB93 to score broadband grant applications; amendment adds prevailing‑wage and workforce provisions
Summary
In a work session the committee voted to do pass as amended on SB93, a bill requiring state agencies that award broadband grant funds to use weighted scoring, include a certification and set workforce and training criteria. The motion carried; Senators Ellison, Rogich and Steinbeck recorded nay votes.
The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, during a March 7 work session, voted to do pass as amended on Senate Bill 93. The bill, as amended, would require state agencies that award federal money for broadband services and infrastructure to evaluate grant applications with weighted scoring, require a certification from applicants (weighted at 30%), set out training and OSHA safety documentation requirements, require a qualified local workforce with at least 50% Nevada residents, and authorize the Office of Science, Innovation and Technology director to adopt regulations.
Amendments and changes: The amendment presented by Senator Daly revised training documentation requirements, specified that safety training shall include OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 courses, required workers be paid at least the prevailing wage and included dependent health plan coverage, removed certain documentation requirements and an exemption for signatory collective bargaining agreement employers, and clarified applicability to any work requiring a contractor's license. The amended bill also authorized each state agency awarding grants to adopt regulations.
Vote and disposition: Senator Flores moved to do pass as amended; Senator Scheibel seconded. The committee voice vote carried. The secretary recorded senators Ellison, Rogich and Steinbeck as voting nay; the motion otherwise carried.
Why it matters: SB93 imposes programmatic and workforce standards on broadband grant recipients, tying a substantial portion of grant scoring to a signed certification and strengthening training, prevailing wage and local hire requirements. Supporters said these measures aim to ensure state grant funds produce local jobs and safer worksites; opponents during earlier hearings raised concerns about feasibility and administrative burden.
Ending: The committee's action advances SB93 to the next legislative step with the listed amendments; further floor debate and votes will follow according to Senate procedure.
