Davis-Bacon Repeal Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8602
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-07T09:23:41Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8602: Davis-Bacon Repeal Act
Purpose
This bill aims to eliminate the prevailing wage requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act, a 1931 law that mandates contractors on certain federal construction projects to pay workers at least the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits.
Key Provisions
- Repeal of Wage Rules: Completely removes Subchapter IV of Chapter 31, Title 40 of the U.S. Code, which contains the Davis-Bacon Act's wage standards.
- Nullification of References: Any mentions of these wage requirements in other laws become invalid and unenforceable.
- Effective Date: Takes effect 30 days after the bill becomes law.
- Exceptions: Does not apply to contracts already in place or bids already invited 30 days after enactment, protecting ongoing projects.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Ends the federal mandate for "prevailing wages" (standard local rates for similar work) on public buildings and works projects exceeding $2,000 funded by the federal government.
- Shifts wage-setting authority fully to contractors and market forces, rather than government-determined rates.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Could reduce costs for federal construction projects (e.g., highways, buildings), potentially saving taxpayer money but altering procurement processes.
- Citizens and Workers: Construction workers on federal projects may face lower wages without prevailing rate protections, affecting income in those jobs; broader economy might see cheaper public infrastructure.
- Contractors: Increased flexibility to set wages, possibly leading to more competitive bidding and lower project costs.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could indirectly affect U.S. aid or military construction abroad if tied to federal funding.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Departments like Transportation, Defense, and Housing and Urban Development, which oversee public works.
- Construction Industry: Contractors, subcontractors, and laborers (especially non-union workers who might benefit from or lose wage floors).
- Taxpayers: Potential beneficiaries of cost savings on public projects.
- Labor Unions: Likely opponents, as the law has historically supported higher union-scale wages.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Simplifies federal contracting by removing wage compliance burdens and enforcement (previously handled by the Department of Labor); may lead to lawsuits over transition or affected contracts.
- Constitutional: No major challenges anticipated, as it amends statutory law without altering core constitutional rights like due process or equal protection.
- Political: Highly debated; supporters argue it cuts government overreach and costs, while critics say it undermines worker protections—could influence future labor and spending policies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Davis-Bacon Repeal Act — issued 2026-04-30 — PDF (2 pages)