Bill > SB5572

This bill establishes requirements for project labor agreements (PLAs) in school construction projects that have a total estimated construction contract cost of $35 million or more. A project labor agreement is defined as a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with labor organizations that establishes employment terms for a specific construction project. The bill requires school districts to mandate that every contractor and subcontractor on such projects negotiate or become party to a PLA, which must meet specific criteria including binding all contractors, allowing fair competition, providing guarantees against work disruptions, establishing dispute resolution procedures, and promoting labor-management cooperation. The bill also allows the department of labor and industries to grant exceptions to these requirements under certain circumstances, such as when a project is of short duration, involves only one trade, has limited contractor availability, or when requiring a PLA would substantially reduce competition. The legislature's rationale is that project labor agreements promote job creation, strengthen the state economy, and improve the efficiency of capital project administration. Notably, some specific types of school construction projects funded under certain existing laws are exempt from these requirements, and school districts retain the flexibility to use PLAs in other situations not covered by the bill's mandates.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5572&Year=2025&Initiative=false