Senate advances bill limiting project-labor agreement preference for state construction contracts

The New Hampshire Senate advanced Senate Bill 88 on second reading, adopting a committee amendment and voting that the bill "ought to pass as amended," sending it to third reading.

Senator Murphy, reporting for the Committee on Commerce, told colleagues the measure would bar state entities from inserting contract terms that favor or disfavor bidders based on labor-organization affiliation for construction grants and contracts. "This bill would prohibit state entities from including specified terms related to labor organization agreements in construction related contracts and grants," the senator said, describing the committee amendment as a clarification of that prohibition.

Opponents framed the bill as harmful to unionized workers. Senator Long, speaking against the motion, said project labor agreements "create jobs, they provide sustainable and fair wages," and argued that PLAs support safety, timely completion and predictable budgets for public projects. He said the bill primarily benefits large contractors at the expense of workers and taxpayers.

Supporters countered that PLAs can increase construction costs and that the bill would not prevent private contractors from entering PLAs, only bar state agencies from preferring or disfavoring bidders based on affiliation. Committee testimony cited studies saying PLAs may raise costs by as much as 20 percent; the sponsor described the measure as a way to "level the playing field" for bidders and protect taxpayers.

The committee amendment was adopted by voice vote and the motion that the bill "ought to pass as amended" was adopted by voice; the bill was ordered to third reading.

What happens next: SB 88 will return for third reading where the full Senate will consider final passage.