DOL Issues New Guide on Davis-Bacon Wage Rules

What happened: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released an updated Prevailing Wage Resource Book on April 1, incorporating changes to regulatory requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act. The regulation, finalized by the agency in August, came into effect in October 2023. The Act mandates prevailing wages for employees of contractors engaged in construction and related work for direct federal and federal-aid transportation construction projects.

Why it matters: DOL’s final rule introduced regulatory uncertainty and ambiguity regarding several crucial matters, notably the definition of “de minimis” exemptions for truck drivers’ on-site time. This latest resource from the agency aims to clarify the regulatory requirements under the Act, specifically addressing which employees on a jobsite are subject to prevailing wages, taking into account concerns raised by stakeholders.

What’s next: DOL will hold virtual prevailing wage seminars on May 15 and Aug. 29 to discuss Davis-Bacon and other related matters. ARTBA members may register here. Members are encouraged to keep submitting specific questions to ARTBA’s Prianka Sharma.