Public Hearing on Prevailing Wage Rules

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries will be conducting a public hearing to amend the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) in order to address legislative increases in the amounts charged by Labor and Industries for approval of prevailing wage forms required on public works construction projects (“Statement of Intent to Pay Prevailing Wages” and “Affidavit of Wages Paid”).

The hearing will be held on July 25, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at the Department’s office at 7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater Washington.

The current regulations, WAC 296-127-040 and 296-127-045, include the actual dollar amount of the fee charged by Labor and Industries.

When the Washington Legislature approved EHB 3381, effective July 1, 2008, it formally increased the approval amount for each form from $25 to $40.

Rather than amend the WAC to increase the fee amount, the Department of Labor and Industries is proposing to amend the WAC so that the WAC simply references RCW 39.12.070, the section of the law where the dollar amount charged for the forms is codified. This change will make maintenance of the WAC easier for the Department and they will not have to amend the WAC every time the Legislature increases the fees.

This is a housekeeping amendment to the WAC and has no significant impact on the construction industry. The impact of raising the fees occurred when the Legislature approved the increase.

Written comments on the proposed change in the WAC may be made as follows:

By mail to:
Sally Elliott
Specialty Compliance Services Division
Post Office Box 44400
Olympia, WA 98504-4400

By electronic mail to: yous235@lni.wa.gov

By fax: 360-902-5292 (Comments submitted by fax must be 10 pages or less.)

Comments must be received by the Department of Labor and Industries no later than July 25, 2008.