Prevailing wage: public works.

Existing law defines the term "public works" for purposes of requirements regarding the payment of prevailing wages, the regulation of working hours, and the securing of workers' compensation for public works projects. Existing law requires that, except as specified, not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages, determined by the Director of Industrial Relations, be paid to workers employed on public works projects. Existing law makes a willful violation of laws relating to the payment of prevailing wages on public works a misdemeanor. This bill would expand the definition of public works to include work conducted during site assessment or feasibility studies. This bill would also specify that preconstruction work, including design, site assessment, feasibility studies, and land surveying, is deemed to be part of a public work, regardless of whether any further construction work is conducted. By expanding the application of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 1720 of the Labor Code proposed by AB 520 to be operative only if this bill and AB 520 are enacted and this bill is enacted last. 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.