Public agencies: project labor agreements.

Existing law establishes procedures for state agencies to enter into contracts for goods and services, including generally requiring that certain contracts by a state agency, including, but not limited to, contracts for the construction, alteration, improvement, repair, or maintenance of property, be approved by the Department of General Services. Existing law authorizes a public entity to use, enter into, or require contractors to enter into, a project labor agreement, as defined, for a construction project, if the agreement includes specified taxpayer protection provisions. This bill would permit a state agency to undertake a major state construction project only if that project is governed by a project labor agreement and if that project labor agreement includes community benefit goals, as specified, and would define various terms for these purposes. The bill would authorize the Governor to waive this requirement if the state agency has attempted to comply with this requirement and the Governor makes a written determination that the application of this requirement would be impracticable. The bill would require the Department of General Services, commencing January 1, 2029, to report to the Legislature about the use of project labor agreements, the advancement of community benefit goals, and apprenticeships, as specified. The bill would also make a related statement of legislative findings and declarations.