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Anne Arundel Council defeats project‑labor‑agreement bill after long debate
Summary
After hours of testimony by union representatives, contractors and procurement officials, the council voted 5‑2 to defeat Bill 125, a measure to codify project labor agreement (PLA) rules and a $35 million threshold. Supporters asked for stronger local labor protections; opponents warned PLAs would raise costs and reduce competition.
The Anne Arundel County Council voted down Bill 125 on Feb. 2, 2026, after an extended public hearing that drew union leaders, contractors, industry associations and procurement staff.
The bill, sponsored by Councilman Smith, would have added PLA language to the county code, set a $35,000,000 threshold for mandatory PLAs on certain capital projects and included provisions on exemptions and implementation. Smith said the measure was a policy statement to recognize labor's role and to create a framework for the county to use PLAs when appropriate.
“Placing this language in the code tells a story about what we value,” Smith said in opening remarks, framing PLAs as a tool to support local workforce and…
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