VirginiaPublic service companies would require set pay rates on underground projects
For covered underground projects over $250,000, public service companies would have to require contractors to pay set local wage and benefit rates on contracts dated July 1, 2027, or later.
What it does
For covered underground projects over $250,000, public service companies would have to require contractors to pay workers at least the local wage and benefit rates for their trade.
On covered projects, contractors would have to post wage rates and show each trade's hourly pay and benefits. They would also keep work and pay records.
Argument forWorkers on covered projects could receive at least the local highway and road construction wage and benefit rates for their trade.
Argument againstContractors may bid more for covered projects because they must pay set wage and benefit rates; projects worth $250,000 or less are excluded.
More detail
Public service companies would have to require contractors and subcontractors to pay workers at least the prevailing wage and benefit rates. The rule covers construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration, or repair of a public service company's underground systems, but not maintenance work. Communications providers and certain other entities are excluded from the definition of public service company. Contracts worth $250,000 or less are excluded. The rule would apply to work under contracts entered into, amended, or modified on or after July 1, 2027.
Contractors and subcontractors would have to post wage rates, itemize workers' pay and benefits, and keep and provide work and pay records. These duties apply to contractors and subcontractors performing underground infrastructure work covered by the article. Records must be kept for at least six years, provided to the Department within 10 days of a request, and certified as reflecting actual hours and pay. These rules would apply to work under contracts entered into, amended, or modified on or after July 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Continued from last sessionLatest
- Mar 6Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
- Mar 2Reported from Commerce and Labor with amendment and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 5-N)Minor
- Feb 20Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB260)
- Feb 18Referred to Committee on Commerce and LaborMinor
- Feb 18Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 17Read third time and passed House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)Passed House
- Feb 16Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 16committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Feb 16committee amendment rejectedMinor
- Feb 16Read second timeMinor
- Feb 13Read first timeMinor
- Feb 11Committee substitute printed 26107636D-H1Major
- Feb 11Reported from Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 7-N)Minor
- Feb 11Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (5-Y 2-N)Major
- Feb 11House subcommittee offered
- Feb 6Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB260)
- Feb 4Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural ResourcesMinor
- Feb 3Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)Minor
- Jan 29Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations (5-Y 2-N)
- Jan 29House subcommittee offered
- Jan 15Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2Minor
- Jan 9Referred to Committee on Labor and CommerceMinor
- Jan 9Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102389DIntroduced
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