What's happening
This bill requires that all construction-related projects for SUNY properties pay workers the prevailing wage as enforced by the state.
Why it matters
Expands labor protections. By mandating prevailing wages for all construction-related work on SUNY properties, the bill ensures that workers are paid wages comparable to those in similar public sector jobs, potentially raising income standards for laborers on these projects.
Closes loopholes for third-party arrangements. The requirement applies not only to direct contracts but also to agreements, leases, grants, bonds, and permits involving third parties, making it harder for SUNY or its affiliates to circumvent prevailing wage laws via alternative project financing or partnership structures.
Strengthens state oversight and enforcement. The law explicitly requires all parties to agree to enforcement by the Department of Labor, increasing accountability and improving the likelihood that wage standards will actually be met on SUNY construction sites.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require SUNY Construction Prevailing Wages
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to labor
- Referred to labor
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
315
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PERALTA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to requiring prevailing wages to be paid on certain state university of New York projects
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The labor law is amended by adding a new section 220-i to read as follows:
§ 220-i. Payment of prevailing wages required on certain state university of New York projects. Notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, all agreements, leases, grants, bonds, covenant debt agreements or permits entered into by and between the dormitory authority, the state university of New York or the state university construction fund and any third party for the demolition, excavation, design, construction, reconstruction, repair, rehabilitation, alteration or improvement of buildings or facilities at a site owned or leased by the state university of New York shall require the payment of all applicable prevailing wages pursuant to section two hundred twenty of this article and all parties to such agreements shall specifically agree to the enforcement of prevailing wages for such projects by the department.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00053-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the labor law, in relation to requiring prevailing wages to be paid on certain state university of New York projects
Purpose
Requires the payment of prevailing wages on all SUNY building projects.
Summary of provisions
The bill adds a new section 220-i to the Labor Law to require the payment of prevailing wages on all projects entered into between the dormitory authority, the state university of New York or the state university construction fund and any third party, for the design, construction, repair, improvement and related work on buildings or facilities at a site owned or leased owned by the State University of New York. Further, all parties must specifically agree to the enforcement of prevailing wages for such projects by the Department of Labor.
Existing law
Section 220(2) of the labor law requires that third parties which contract for public work in place of, on behalf or for the benefit of certain public entities pay prevailing wages for the public work.
Justification
This legislation would clarify that payment of prevailing wages is required whenever public work projects are undertaken at a site owned or leased by the State University of New York. Agreements entered into on behalf of SUNY or the SUNY Construction Fund with third parties do not consistently result in the payment of prevailing wages. Various types of agreements to build on land owned or leased by SUNY have led to varying interpretations by parties of the obligation to pay prevailing wages. Private organizations regarded by enforcement as "alter egos" of SUNY have failed to pay prevailing wages on contracts entered into for the benefit of SUNY. Employees who work on these projects do so with the expectation they will be paid prevailing wages and supplements for public work as required by the state labor law.
Legislative history
2015-2016--S1255 2013-2014 - S.74 2011-12: S.724 2010: S.2814 Reported to Finance; A.612 Reported to Labor 2009: S.2814 Reported to Finance; A.612 Referred to Labor 2007-08: A.2456 Referred to Labor 2005-06: S.3381 Passed Senate (57-0); A.10642 Referred to Labor 2004: S.6476 Passed Senate (62-0)
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.