Public works: prevailing wages.

Existing law defines "public works," for purposes of regulating public works contracts, as, among other things, construction, alteration, demolition, installation, or repair work done under contract and paid for, in whole or in part, out of public funds. Existing law further requires that, except as specified, not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages be paid to workers employed on public works and imposes misdemeanor penalties for a violation of this requirement. Existing law provides that for the purposes of provisions of law relating to the payment of prevailing wages, "public works" includes specified types of construction, alteration, demolition, installation, and repair work. This bill would revise the definition of "public works" for these purposes to include the construction, alteration, demolition, installation, and repair work done under private contract when specified conditions are met, including the requirement that the work is performed in connection with the construction or maintenance of renewable energy generation capacity, located on property wholly or partially owned by a school district or community college district, or on public property, specifically to serve a school district or community college district. Because the violation of prevailing wage requirements by local public entities when engaged in these public works projects would result in the imposition of misdemeanor penalties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.