(a) All of the following are applicable to all public works projects that are otherwise subject to the requirements of this chapter:

(1) The call for bids and contract documents shall specify that the project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations.

Need help with an employment contract?
Have it reviewed by a lawyer, get answers to your questions and move forward with confidence.
Connect with a lawyer now

(2) The awarding body shall post or require the prime contractor to post job site notices, as prescribed by regulation.

(3) (A) Each contractor and subcontractor shall furnish the records specified in Section 1776 directly to the Labor Commissioner, in the following manner:

(i) At least monthly or more frequently if specified in the contract with the awarding body. For purposes of this clause, “monthly” means that a submission of records shall be made at least once every 30 days while work is being performed on the project and within 30 days after the final day of work performed on the project.

(ii) In an electronic format, in the manner prescribed by the Labor Commissioner, on the department’s internet website.

(B) A contractor or subcontractor who fails to furnish records pursuant to subparagraph (A), relating to its employees, shall be subject to a penalty by the Labor Commissioner of one hundred dollars ($100) per each day in which the party was in violation of subparagraph (A), not to exceed a total penalty of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per project. Penalties received pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited in the State Public Works Enforcement Fund established by Section 1771.3 and shall be used only for the purposes specified in that section.

(C) The Labor Commissioner shall not levy a penalty pursuant to subparagraph (B) until a contractor or subcontractor fails to furnish the records pursuant to subparagraph (A) 14 days after the requirement set forth in clause (i) of subparagraph (A).

(D) Penalties pursuant to subparagraph (B) may only accrue to the actual contractor or subcontractor who failed to furnish the records pursuant to subparagraph (A).

(4) If the contractor or subcontractor is not registered pursuant to Section 1725.5 and is performing work on a project for which registration is not required because of subdivision (f) of Section 1725.5, the unregistered contractor or subcontractor is not required to furnish the records specified in Section 1776 directly to the Labor Commissioner but shall retain the records specified in Section 1776 for at least three years after completion of the work.

(5) The department shall undertake those activities it deems necessary to monitor and enforce compliance with prevailing wage requirements.

(b) The Labor Commissioner may exempt a public works project from compliance with all or part of the requirements of subdivision (a) if either of the following occurs:

(1) The awarding body has enforced an approved labor compliance program, as defined in Section 1771.5, on all public works projects under its authority, except those deemed exempt pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1771.5, continuously since December 31, 2011.

(2) The awarding body has entered into a collective bargaining agreement that binds all contractors performing work on the project and that includes a mechanism for resolving disputes about the payment of wages.

(c) The requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall only apply to contracts for public works projects awarded on or after January 1, 2015.

(d) The requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) shall apply to all contracts for public work, whether new or ongoing, on or after January 1, 2016.

(e) (1) No later than July 1, 2024, the department shall develop and implement an online database of electronic certified payroll records submitted pursuant to this section.

(2) The online database created pursuant to paragraph (1) shall only be accessible to multiemployer Taft-Hartley trust funds (29 U.S.C. § 186(c)) and joint labor-management committees established pursuant to the federal Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (29 U.S.C. § 175a).

(3) Electronic certified payroll records included in the online database created pursuant to paragraph (1) shall only contain nonredacted information pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 1776 that may be provided to multiemployer Taft-Hartley trust funds (29 U.S.C. § 186(c)) and joint labor-management committees established pursuant to the federal Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (29 U.S.C. § 175a) under applicable law.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 131, Sec. 139. (AB 1754) Effective January 1, 2024.)