Texas Senate Bill SB1342

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the use of certain data collected by the Texas Workforce Commission to determine general prevailing wage rates for certain public work contracts.

Impact

The implementation of SB1342 could lead to changes in how wages are calculated for public work projects across Texas. By incorporating the Texas Workforce Commission's data, the bill may provide a more localized and contemporary understanding of wage rates that reflect current market conditions. This shift aims to ensure that workers on public projects are compensated fairly, potentially enhancing job quality and worker morale. Furthermore, this could have a broader economic impact by aligning wages with local economic conditions, ensuring fair competition among contractors who bid on public work contracts.

Summary

SB1342 seeks to amend Section 2258.022(a) of the Government Code related to determining the general prevailing wage rates for certain public work contracts within Texas. The bill allows public bodies to use wage data collected by the Texas Workforce Commission to ascertain the prevailing wages for various crafts or types of workers required for public construction projects. This change would supplement existing methods, including surveys of local wages and rates determined by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Davis-Bacon Act, providing another channel for establishing wage standards in public contracts.

Contention

While the bill presents a mechanism for potentially fairer wage determinations, it may also face criticism from stakeholders concerned about the accuracy and reliability of the data provided by the Texas Workforce Commission. Opponents may raise issues regarding the adequacy of the data collection methods, questioning whether the agency can effectively represent the wage needs of various trades accurately. Additionally, there could be concerns about how this change may affect budget allocations for public works, with some arguing that if wages are raised based on this new data, it could lead to higher overall project costs for local governments and reduced funding for other community projects.