DOL looks to update regulations under the Davis-Bacon Act
Author
Julia Cortina
Upcoming Events
Related News
Key Takeaways
Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the publication of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for updated regulations of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts.
The Davis-Bacon Act, originally passed in 1931, sets prevailing wages that contractors must pay workers on federal projects. The regulations apply to each federal government or District of Columbia contract in excess of $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works. Davis-Bacon wage determinations are published on the System for Award Management (SAM) website, and are determined based on wages paid to various classes of laborers and mechanics employed on specific types of construction projects in an area. The requirements impact $217 billion in federal spending annually and 1.2 million construction workers, according to DOL estimates.
The updated regulations DOL is proposing would be the most comprehensive update they have done since the early 1980s. The new regulations would have a significant effect on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that expanded the types of projects that are subjected to the prevailing wage standards under Davis-Bacon.
NACo will continue to monitor the proposed changes to the Davis Bacon Act, provide a more detailed analysis in the upcoming weeks, and ensure the important role that county’s play in infrastructure development and investments is considered in the proposed rulemaking.
Advocacy
Department of Labor releases guidance to provide access to voting through the American Job Center Network
On March 25, the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration released guidance to all 50 states and U.S. territories allowing them to designate American Job Centers as voter registration agencies in accordance with the National Voter Registration Act.
Related News
FAA announces planned flight reductions at 40 major airports—including county-owned airports—amid ongoing government shutdown
On November 6, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced plans to reduce the number of flights in and out of 40 major airports across the U.S. starting November 7.
NACo sends coalition letter on surface transportation priorities to congressional leaders
On November 5, NACo, in partnership with other members of the Local Officials in Transportation (LOT) Coalition, sent a letter to two key Congressional committees—the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environmental & Public Works—outlining and reiterating the coalition’s top priorities for the next surface transportation reauthorization bill.
U.S. Department of Transportation provides updates for Essential Air Service (EAS) program amid ongoing federal government shutdown
On October 7, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced that, due to the ongoing government shutdown, funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program would lapse on October 12.