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Bill > A3611


NJ A3611

NJ A3611
Requires payment of prevailing wage for certain data center construction.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
01/13/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
01/13/2026

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires payment of the prevailing wage for certain data center construction. The bill requires payment of the prevailing wage for data center construction projects that have an electrical capacity of five megawatts or greater annually after construction. Under the bill, contractors performing work on data center construction projects are required to meet certain eligibility, safety, insurance, and labor compliance requirements. A contractor may not perform work on a data center construction project unless the contractor is registered and in compliance with "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act," has not been debarred, submits certified payroll records, complies with Internal Revenue Service requirements for classification of independent contractors, and demonstrates compliance with certain safety and performance qualifications. The bill requires contractors to maintain workers' compensation insurance, general liability insurance, and owned and leased motor vehicle insurance. Contractors are also required to provide a performance and payment bond in an amount not less than 150 percent of the value of the contract. Further, the bill requires contractors to be jointly and severally liable for any wages, benefits, or other amounts owed to any worker not appropriately paid by a subcontractor on the data center construction project. The bill restricts the use of temporary labor services to workers enrolled in registered apprenticeship programs. The bill requires contractors to maintain daily sign-in sheets documenting each worker's name, the worker's contractor, and arrival and departure times. The bill also establishes construction training requirements for workers and supervisors and requires equipment-specific training for workers operating heavy construction equipment or power actuated tools. The bill provides that all workers employed on a data center construction project undergo drug testing. Finally, projects designed to have an average electrical usage of 25 megawatts or greater after construction may include a project labor agreement with a labor organization where it has been determined prior to the commencement of construction that the project advances the State and local community interests on energy, efficiency, quality, safety, timeliness, and a skilled labor force.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that contractors working on certain data center construction projects, defined as those with an electrical capacity of five megawatts or greater annually, must pay workers the prevailing wage, which is the standard wage for a particular craft or trade determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. To be eligible for such projects, contractors must be registered under "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act," have no debarments, submit certified payroll records, correctly classify independent contractors according to IRS rules, meet specific safety and performance qualifications including a low workers' compensation experience modifier rate and submission of injury logs and OSHA citations, and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage. Additionally, contractors are required to provide performance and payment bonds, are held jointly liable for any unpaid wages by subcontractors, and can only use temporary labor if those workers are enrolled in registered apprenticeship programs. The bill also imposes strict record-keeping requirements, including daily sign-in sheets, and mandates general construction training (OSHA-10 for all workers, OSHA-30 for supervisors and a portion of the workforce), equipment-specific training for heavy machinery operators, and drug testing for all workers. For larger projects with an electrical usage of 25 megawatts or greater, a project labor agreement with a labor organization may be included if it's determined to benefit the community in areas like energy, efficiency, quality, safety, timeliness, and workforce development.

Committee Categories

Labor and Employment

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2025, c.335. (on 01/13/2026)

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