Panel moves bill to apply Virginia prevailing-wage rules to underground utility work

Delegate Simons told the subcommittee HB260 would apply the Virginia Prevailing Wage Act to underground infrastructure work on government-funded or regulated projects to promote safety, training and retention in the utility workforce.

Simons said the measure promotes consistent standards across sectors and helps apply strong wage standards from the natural-gas sector to emerging renewable-energy work. Supporters from building trades and unions said prevailing wages support apprenticeship and workforce development; utilities acknowledged the billhas been before the committee before and said they could work on implementation timing and emergency-work exceptions.

Members asked whether prevailing wages would increase customer utility bills; the sponsor said the bill "should not" increase costs but would require transparency and paperwork to track subcontractors. The subcommittee reported the bill with amendments to Appropriations (voice/roll calls recorded) and will send it forward for budget review.