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SB518Introduced in the Senate

Public works contracts; prevailing wage rate, definitions, civil penalty.

Passed

Introduced by Aaron Rouse, District 22

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Prevailing wage rate for public works contracts; localities. Requires each state agency or locality, when procuring services or letting contracts for public works paid for in whole or in part by state or local funds, or when overseeing or administering such contracts for public works, to ensure that its bid specifications or other public contracts applicable to the public works require bidders, offerors, contractors, and subcontractors to pay wages, salaries, benefits, and other remuneration to any mechanic, laborer, or worker employed, retained, or otherwise hired to perform services in connection with the public contract for public works at a rate no less than the prevailing wage rate. The bill also amends the definition of "public works" to include work performed at certain institutions of higher education and to exclude work performed at a non-governmental property or facility used to provide broadband or other telecommunications services. Under the bill, any interested party shall have standing to challenge bid specifications, project agreements, or other public contracts for public works that violate the provisions of the bill. The bill requires institutions of higher education to expressly agree to comply with the public works contract requirements. Under the bill, the Commissioner shall determine the prevailing wage based on a survey of wages and benefits paid in each area, as defined in the bill, conducted every three years. The bill includes factors for the Commissioner to consider in determining a prevailing wage rate. The bill directs the Commissioner to adopt regulations to implement the provisions of the bill by July 1, 2027. The bill also requires the Commissioner to convene a work group to review logistics for establishing a certified payroll reporting portal and database for use by employers and to submit a report of its findings to the General Assembly by July 1, 2027. This bill incorporates SB 370 and is identical to HB 569.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1014)

April 22, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

5 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

9 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A) · April 22, 2026

21

Yes

18

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker5Yes
Michael Jones77Yes
Timmy French1No
Mark Obenshain2No
Chris Head3Absent
David Suetterlein4No
Travis Hackworth5No
Todd Pillion6No
William Stanley7No
Mark Peake8No

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105263D

  2. Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

  3. Rereferred from General Laws and Technology to Commerce and Labor (15-Y 0-N)

  4. Fiscal Impact statement From CLG (1/22/2026 2:50 pm)

  5. Incorporates SB370 (Carroll Foy)

  6. Senate committee offered

  7. Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 6-N)

  8. Committee substitute printed 26106808D-S1

  9. Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 5-N)

  10. Rules suspended

  11. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  13. Committee substitute printed 26107221D-S2

  14. Read second time

  15. Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)

  16. Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

  17. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

  18. Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A)

  19. Placed on Calendar

  20. Read first time

  21. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB518)

  23. House committee offered

  24. Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)

  25. Committee substitute printed 26109033D-H1

  26. Reported from Appropriations (14-Y 7-N)

  27. Read second time

  28. Passed by for the day

  29. Read third time

  30. committee substitute agreed to

  31. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  32. Passed House with substitute (63-Y 35-N 0-A)

  33. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB518)

  34. House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)

  35. House insisted on substitute

  36. House requested conference committee

  37. Senate acceded to request (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  38. Conferees appointed by Senate

  39. Senate Conferees: Rouse, McPike, Pillion

  40. Conferees appointed by House

  41. House Conferees: Feggans, McQuinn, Bloxom

  42. Conference Report released

  43. Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  44. Conference report agreed to by House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)

  45. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB518)

  46. Enrolled

  47. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB518ER)

  48. Signed by President

  49. Signed by Speaker

  50. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  51. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  52. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB518)

  53. Governor's recommendation received by Senate

  54. Substitute bill reprinted 26110431D

  55. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  56. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 34-N 0-A)

  57. Governor's recommendation adopted

  58. Reenrolled

  59. Reenrolled bill text (SB518ER2)

  60. Signed by Speaker

  61. Signed by President

  62. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1014 (effective 7/1/2026)

  63. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1014)

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