Reinstating prevailing wage

Senate Bill 644 would require contractors working on new state or local government construction projects (like roads, bridges, or public buildings) to pay workers at least the prevailing wage rate for similar work in the local area. It mandates that the State Commissioner of Labor annually determine and publish these rates on January 1, which would apply to all public construction contracts advertised during that year. The bill establishes procedures for contractors to include these rates in bids, for filing objections to rate determinations, and for recordkeeping, while limiting the law to contracts entered after enactment. It directly affects contractors bidding on public construction projects and ensures workers on these projects receive wages comparable to local standards.