Reduces threshold cost, from $5 million to $3 million, of public works projects which may include project labor agreements.

S3211

SENATE, No. 3211

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED JANUARY 28, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� LATHAM TIVER

District 8 (Atlantic and Burlington)

SYNOPSIS

���� Reduces threshold cost, from $5 million to $3
million, of public works projects which may include project labor agreements.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
concerning the minimum cost of public works projects
which may include project labor agreements and amending P.L.2002, c.44.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1. Section 2 of P.L.2002, c.44
(C.52:38-2) is amended to read as follows:

���� 2.��� For the purposes of this
act:

���� "Apprenticeship
program" means a registered apprenticeship program providing to each
trainee combined classroom and on-the-job training under the direct and close
supervision of a highly skilled worker in an occupation recognized as an
apprenticeable trade, and registered by the Office of Apprenticeship of the
U.S. Department of Labor and meeting the standards established by the office,
or registered by a State apprenticeship agency recognized by the office.

���� "Disadvantaged
community" means a census block group, as determined in accordance with
the most recent United States Census, in which:

���� (1)�� at least 35 percent of
the households are low-income households;

���� (2)�� at least 40 percent of
the residents are minority group members or members of a State-recognized
tribal community; or

���� (3)�� at least 40 percent of
the households have limited English proficiency.

���� "Labor organization"
means, with respect to a contracted work on a public works project, an
organization which represents, for purposes of collective bargaining, employees
involved in the performance of public works contracts and eligible to be paid
prevailing wages under the "New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act",
P.L.1963, c.150 (C.34:11-56.25 et seq.) and has the present ability to refer,
provide or represent sufficient numbers of qualified employees to perform the
contracted work, in a manner consistent with the provisions of this act and any
plan mutually agreed upon by the labor organization and the public entity
pursuant to subsection g. of section 5 of this act.

���� "Low-income
household" means a household that is at or below twice the poverty
threshold as that threshold is determined annually by the United States Census
Bureau.

���� "Political
subdivision" means any county, municipality, school district or other
political subdivision of the State of New Jersey or any instrumentality or
agency of the political subdivision.

���� "Project labor
agreement" means a form of pre-hire collective bargaining agreement
covering terms and conditions of a specific project.

���� "Public entity"
means the State, any of its political subdivisions, any authority created by
the Legislature and any instrumentality or agency of the State or of any of its
political subdivisions.

���� "Public works
project" means any public works project for construction, reconstruction,
demolition or renovation for which:

���� (1)�� It is required by law
that workers be paid the prevailing wage determined by the Commissioner of
Labor and Workforce Development pursuant to the provisions of the "New
Jersey Prevailing Wage Act", P.L.1963, c.150 (C.34:11-56.25 et seq.); and

���� (2)�� The public entity
estimates that the total cost of the project,

exclusive of any land acquisition
costs, will equal or exceed
[
$5
]

$3

million.

(cf: P.L.2021, c.69, s.1)

���� 2.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill amends P.L.2002,
c.44 to reduce, from $5 million to $3 million, the minimum cost of a public
works project which may include a project labor agreement pursuant to that act.