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Bill > A1348
NJ A1348
NJ A1348Concerns enforcement of public work project requirements; establishes penalties for failure to submit payroll records.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill concerns the enforcement of public work project requirements and the submission of certified payroll records. The bill increases penalties for violations of the prevailing wage law and "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act." Under current law, the maximum administrative penalty that may be assessed for violations of the prevailing wage law is $2,500 for a first violation and $5,000 for each subsequent violation. The bill raises the penalty range to between $5,000 and $10,000 for a first violation, and between $10,000 and $25,000 for each subsequent violation. Further, the bill establishes civil penalties related to the submission of certified payroll records. A contractor or subcontractor who fails to submit a certified payroll record within 10 days of the payment of wages will be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 per project, for each day of noncompliance. A contractor or subcontractor who knowingly submits a false certified payroll record will be subject to a civil penalty of $15,000 for a first offense and $25,000 for each subsequent offense within five years. Each payroll period and each affected worker constitutes a separate violation. The bill extends the period a contractor or subcontractor may be prohibited from receiving a contract for public work. Under current law, the prohibition is three years if the contractor or subcontractor failed to pay prevailing wages. The bill includes failure to submit certified payroll records in the existing three year prohibition. The prohibition period will be five years if, within any five-year period, a contractor or subcontractor is found to have committed two or more violations involving: (1) failure to submit certified payroll records for consecutive payroll periods; (2) knowingly submitting false payroll records; or (3) willful payment of less than the prevailing wage. Finally, the bill provides that a contractor that knowingly utilizes an unregistered subcontractor is subject to a civil penalty of $10,000 per subcontract for a first offense and $25,000 per subcontract for each subsequent offense within five years, and is jointly and severally liable for any unpaid wages, benefits, and penalties arising from the subcontractor's violations.
AI Summary
This bill significantly increases penalties for violations related to public work projects, aiming to improve compliance with labor laws. It raises the administrative penalties for violations of the prevailing wage law, which ensures workers on public projects are paid a fair wage, to a range of $5,000 to $10,000 for a first offense and $10,000 to $25,000 for subsequent offenses, a substantial increase from the previous $2,500 and $5,000 limits. Furthermore, it introduces new civil penalties for failing to submit certified payroll records, which are official documents detailing wages paid to workers, within 10 days of payment, imposing a $1,000 per day per project penalty for late submissions. Knowingly submitting false certified payroll records will result in civil penalties of $15,000 for a first offense and $25,000 for subsequent offenses within five years, with each payroll period and affected worker counting as a separate violation. The bill also extends the period a contractor or subcontractor can be banned from public work contracts from three years to five years for repeat or serious violations, including failing to submit payroll records, submitting false records, or willfully paying less than the prevailing wage. Finally, it penalizes contractors who knowingly hire unregistered subcontractors, imposing fines of $10,000 for a first offense and $25,000 for subsequent offenses within five years, and makes them jointly responsible for any unpaid wages, benefits, and penalties incurred by the subcontractor.
Committee Categories
Labor and Employment
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1348 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1500/1348_I1.HTM |
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