Committee advances construction wage-enforcement bill after amendment compromises

The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee on Jan. 28 reported House Bill 21 91 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation after extensive amendment debate.

Staff described the proposed substitute as a substantial rewrite addressing unpaid wages in the construction industry. Key elements include penalties for willful and non-willful violations, a 21-day right-to-cure that allows owners and direct contractors to avoid liability by correcting alleged violations, removal of certain enforcement powers from the attorney general and county prosecutors, and clarified limits on disclosure of personally identifying information.

Ranking Member Schmidt sought to restore public-works owners and subcontractors to liability through amendments (RYAL007, RYAL008) arguing that workers on public projects had testified to nonpayment; those amendments were not adopted. The committee adopted RYAL015 (removing attorney general enforcement authority) and RYAL016 (limiting owner/direct contractor liability to unpaid wages to unrepresented employees and tightening filing authority to authorized third-party representatives).

Representative O’Brien urged passage on final passage, framing the bill as accountability for vulnerable construction workers. Ranking Member Schmidt said she supported the bill in intent but remained a no on final passage because language still needs work.

The committee conducted a roll-call vote; staff announced 6 ayes and 3 nays. The bill was reported out with a due-pass recommendation.