What's happening
This bill requires all public school construction projects in Long Island costing $1 million or more to use project labor agreements.
Why it matters
Expands use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). By mandating PLAs for large public school construction projects, the bill could standardize wages, benefits, and working conditions, potentially ensuring more predictable project costs and labor peace, but possibly limiting bidding to unionized contractors.
Impacts local contractors and workforce. Non-union contractors may face barriers to bidding on these projects, affecting local small businesses and possibly reshaping who gets hired on Long Island’s school construction jobs.
Could influence project costs and timelines. PLAs can lead to fewer labor disputes and work stoppages, which may help keep construction on schedule, but critics argue they can drive up costs by excluding lower bids from non-union firms.
Removes “separate specifications” requirement. The bill exempts PLA projects from certain municipal law bidding requirements, streamlining procurement but reducing traditional checks that ensure competitive pricing for specific trades.
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Who cares
Long Island school districts
The bill would require project labor agreements for school building projects with total estimated contract costs of at least $1 million where the district receives state debt service or building aid.
School construction contractors and subcontractors
All contractors and subcontractors on covered projects would have to work under a project labor agreement for projects bid on or after January 1, 2026.
Construction labor unions
The bill would require project labor agreements under Labor Law Section 222 for covered Long Island school construction projects.
School district procurement officials
Covered projects performed under project labor agreements would be exempt from the separate-specifications requirements of General Municipal Law Section 101.
Headline styles
Require Labor Deals for Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
19 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 55–4
- Ordered to third reading cal.1961
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Print number 1672b
- Amend and recommit to education
- Print number 1672a
Show 2 earlier actions
- Amend and recommit to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Labor Agreements for Schools
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Michaelle C. Solages
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1672--B
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2025
Introduced by Sens. MARTINEZ, ADDABBO, BYNOE, CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK, CHAN, CLEARE, JACKSON, LIU, MARTINS, MATTERA, MURRAY, PALUMBO, RHOADS, SALAZAR, SCARCELLA-SPANTON, WEIK -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education -committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to certain construction projects
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3602-g to read as follows:
§ 3602-g. Apportionment of public moneys to school district construction projects in Long Island. 1. For purposes of this section, "construction project" shall mean the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of any school building where a district receives any apportionment for debt service or building aid under subdivision six of section thirty-six hundred two of this part and the school building is sited within the Long Island region as defined in subparagraph two of paragraph a of subdivision four of section thirty-six hundred two of this part and the total estimated cost of the contract or contracts for the project is one million dollars or more.
2. Each contract involving the awarding of a construction project shall only be undertaken pursuant to a project labor agreement in accordance with section two hundred twenty-two of the labor law, for all contractors and subcontractors on the project, consistent with paragraph (a) of subdivision two of section two hundred twenty-two of the labor law. Any contract, subcontract, lease, grant, bond, covenant or other agreement for a construction project undertaken pursuant to this subdivision shall not be subject to the requirements of separate specifica-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00375-08-5
tions of section one hundred one of the general municipal law when the project is performed under a project labor agreement pursuant to this subdivision.
§ 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026, and shall apply to all construction projects bid on or after such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to certain construction projects
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to ensure school-related construction projects incorporate fair labor practices and pay a living wage.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 3602 of the education law is amended by adding a new paragraph nn which defines the term construction project.
Section 2. Paragraph a of subdivision 6 of section 3602 of the education law is amended by adding a new subparagraph 13 which requires the use of a project labor agreement for each contract involving the awarding of a construction project with an estimated cost of $1 million or more, and provides construction projects undertaken pursuant to this subdivision shall not be subject to the requirements of separate specifications of section 101 of the general municipal law.
Section 3. Establishes the enacting clause.
Justification
Project labor agreements (PLAs) are shown to be an effective tool in ensuring safe and efficient construction projects in New York State. PLAs establish the terms and conditions for a particular construction project and within the provisions of an agreement wages and work sched- ules are a part of those provisions. A 2009 Cornell University study found PLAs contributed to cost savings and fewer delays in projects. Additionally, PLAs generally foster safer working environments by enforcing strong worksite labor standards.
This legislation would require the adoption of PLAs on educational construction projects. These types of projects are particularly prone to delays, strikes, and cost inefficiencies. The use of PLAs will ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively and aren't overspent throughout educational institutions' construction projects.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This law shall take effectJanuary 1, 2026, and shall apply to all construction projects bid on or after such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.