Bill
HB 374
Delaware HB 374 aims to update large public works contract rules, including thresholds, procurement, and labor standards for state-funded projects.
HB 374 (Delaware, 153rd General Assembly)
Overview
- Title: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LARGE PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS.
- Session and jurisdiction: Delaware House of Representatives, 153rd Session.
- Introduction status: Introduced and assigned to the Labor Committee in the House (April 22, 2026).
- Prime sponsors: Ed Osienski (co-sponsor), and additional co-sponsors include Larry Lambert, Jack Walsh, Brian Pettyjohn, Claire Snyder-Hall, Eric Morrison, and Ray Seigfried.
Purpose and intent
- The bill seeks to amend Title 29 of the Delaware Code to address large public works contracts. While the specific text of the amendments is not provided in the summary, bills of this type typically aim to update criteria for what qualifies as a “large public works contract,” establish or modify procurement procedures, and set thresholds affecting bidding, contract awards, and project oversight for significant state-funded or public-authority projects.
Key provisions and changes (inferred from the bill’s title and common practice)
- Definition and thresholds: Possible revision or clarification of dollar thresholds that designate a contract as “large public works,” which could affect bidding requirements, bid security, and bid protest processes.
- Procurement process: Potential adjustments to how large public works projects are solicited, bid evaluation criteria, set-aside or minority/small business participation requirements, or escalation of contract oversight.
- Labor or workforce standards: Given the bill’s referral to the Labor Committee, provisions may address wage requirements, prevailing wage applicability, project labor agreements, apprenticeship goals, or workforce reporting for large public works.
- Accountability and transparency: Provisions might include enhanced reporting, project milestones, or auditing requirements for expensive public contracts.
- Compliance and enforcement: Possible penalties, remedies, or remedies timelines for bid protests or contract non-compliance in large projects.
Who would be affected
- State and local government agencies issuing large public works contracts in Delaware.
- Contractors and bidding entities participating in or seeking to participate in large public works procurements.
- Subcontractors and workers on eligible large public works projects, particularly if wage, apprenticeship, or labor standards are affected.
- Agencies responsible for procurement oversight and contract administration.
Significant procedural or timeline aspects
- Next steps in committee: As of the date provided, the bill has been assigned to the House Labor Committee, where it will be analyzed, potentially amended, and voted on before advancing to the full House.
- Likely milestones: Committee hearings, potential amendments, a House floor vote, and subsequent actions in the Senate (not specified in the provided history).
- Effective date: The summary does not specify, but enactment typically follows passage and a signing period; if the bill includes a delayed effective date, that would be specified in the final text.
Notes
- The exact substantive changes depend on the full text of the amendments to Title 29. Readers interested in precise provisions (e.g., exact thresholds, wage requirements, or procurement rules) should consult the bill’s full text and any fiscal notes or committee statements once available.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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