All Roll Calls
Yes: 394 • No: 224
Sponsored By: Aaron R. Rouse (Democratic)
Became Law
Prevailing wage rate for public works contracts; localities. Requires each state agency or locality, when procuring services or letting contracts for public works paid for in whole or in part by state or local funds, or when overseeing or administering such contracts for public works, to ensure that its bid specifications or other public contracts applicable to the public works require bidders, offerors, contractors, and subcontractors to pay wages, salaries, benefits, and other remuneration to any mechanic, laborer, or worker employed, retained, or otherwise hired to perform services in connection with the public contract for public works at a rate no less than the prevailing wage rate. The bill also amends the definition of "public works" to include work performed at certain institutions of higher education and to exclude work performed at a non-governmental property or facility used to provide broadband or other telecommunications services. Under the bill, a contractor or subcontractor may be liable to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry for liquidated damages for violating the prevailing wage requirements in the bill. Under the bill, any interested party shall have standing to challenge bid specifications, project agreements, or other public contracts for public works that violate the provisions of the bill. The bill requires institutions of higher education to expressly agree to comply with the public works contract requirements. Under the bill, the Commissioner shall determine the prevailing wage based on a survey of wages and benefits paid in each area, as defined in the bill, conducted every two years. The bill includes factors for the Commissioner to consider in determining a prevailing wage rate. The bill directs the Commissioner to adopt emergency regulations to implement the provisions of the bill. This bill incorporates SB 370 and is identical to HB 569.
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6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
State-funded public works must include a clause that workers are paid at least the local prevailing wage. Starting July 1, 2027, public colleges and universities must require prevailing wages on new projects worth $5,000,000 or more that use state general funds or state-backed debt. These institutions must formally agree to follow these public works rules in their contracts.
If a contractor pays less than the prevailing wage, they owe all unpaid wages plus 8% yearly interest from when pay was due. They are barred from bidding on public contracts until they fully repay, and willful violations are a Class 1 misdemeanor. Any interested party can sue to stop noncompliant contracts, and winners can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs. Fines and penalties collected go to the state’s general fund.
Public works contracts of $250,000 or less are exempt from prevailing wage rules. Certain housing finance contracts by Housing and Community Development or Virginia Housing for low- or moderate-income developments are exempt, and Virginia Housing contracts paid fully with non-state funds are also exempt. Work on private property used to provide broadband or telecom service is not treated as public works under this law.
Any locality may pass an ordinance to require prevailing wages on its own publicly funded projects. The rule must be written into the bid and the contract. It only applies in places that choose to adopt it.
On covered jobs, contractors must post the prevailing wage rates at the site and tell the Commissioner within 10 days. After award, they must certify under oath the pay scale for each craft, list fringe benefits, and identify any third-party funds. Employers must keep payroll and hours records for at least six years and provide them within 10 days when asked. Contractors may only hire subcontractors registered in the state’s procurement system.
The Commissioner uses federal Davis-Bacon rates, a wage survey every three years, and the federal definition from January 20, 2026 to set local rates by construction type. Agencies can request the correct rate 10–20 days before bids are advertised. The Commissioner must issue implementing rules by July 1, 2027. A work group is studying a certified payroll portal and must report by July 1, 2027.
Aaron R. Rouse
Democratic • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 394 • No: 224
Senate vote • 4/22/2026
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation
Yes: 21 • No: 18
House vote • 4/22/2026
House concurred in Governor's recommendation
Yes: 64 • No: 34
House vote • 3/14/2026
Conference report agreed to by House
Yes: 62 • No: 35
Senate vote • 3/13/2026
Conference report agreed to by Senate
Yes: 21 • No: 18
Senate vote • 3/12/2026
Senate acceded to request Block Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/11/2026
House substitute rejected by Senate
Yes: 0 • No: 40
House vote • 3/10/2026
Passed House with substitute
Yes: 63 • No: 35
House vote • 3/4/2026
Reported from Appropriations
Yes: 14 • No: 7
House vote • 3/3/2026
Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute and referred to Appropriations
Yes: 15 • No: 7
Senate vote • 2/16/2026
Read third time and passed Senate
Yes: 20 • No: 19
Senate vote • 2/13/2026
Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/13/2026
Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/12/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/12/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute
Yes: 10 • No: 5
Senate vote • 2/2/2026
Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
Yes: 9 • No: 6
Senate vote • 1/21/2026
Rereferred from General Laws and Technology to Commerce and Labor
Yes: 15 • No: 0
House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 34-N 0-A)
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1014)
Reenrolled bill text (SB518ER2)
Reenrolled
Approved by Governor-Chapter 1014 (effective 7/1/2026)
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Governor's recommendation adopted
Substitute bill reprinted 26110431D
Governor's recommendation received by Senate
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB518)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Signed by Speaker
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB518ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB518)
Conference report agreed to by House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)
Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
Conference Report released
House Conferees: Feggans, McQuinn, Bloxom
Conferees appointed by House
Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Chaptered
4/22/2026
Reenrolled
4/22/2026
Substitute
4/16/2026
Gov Recommendation
4/13/2026
Enrolled
3/30/2026
Conference Report
3/13/2026
Substitute
3/13/2026
Substitute
3/3/2026
Substitute
2/13/2026
Substitute
2/3/2026
Substitute
2/2/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026
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