Makes a certain wage apply to custom work done off-site but for a particular public works project.
Applies the prevailing rate of wage to certain off-site [custom] bespoke work fabricated, preconstructed, assembled or [produced] constructed in accordance with specifications for a particular public works. Specifies examples of such [custom] bespoke work. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
The bill vastly increases the scope of prevailing wage in Oregon and beyond. Currently, prevailing wage applies to construction work that occurs on the jobsite. This bill would drastically expand that by requiring prevailing wage on a variety of “bespoke” or custom-made products, used in everyday construction. This encompasses critical infrastructure from sewer pipes to streetlamps, to highway signage.
It adds 10-20% on top of a project’s overall price tag. House Bill 2688 adds another layer of complexity and cost.
It is unclear how this legislation would be enf0rced, considering it applies to all manufacturers worldwide, and as a result, what cost implications that level of enforcement would have on the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), an agency already underfunded. If it is determined that BOLI is unable to enforce these new requirements on out-of-state manufacturers, it will only create additional burdens on Oregon manufacturers. According to Oregon’s State Economist, Oregon has already entered a manufacturing sector recession.
[From Oregon Catalyst]