Bill
H 3530
The bill requires utilities to use public-construction procurement rules, publish prevailing-wage sheets biannually, and establish contractor training/certification programs for re
Status / Key dates
- Filed with the House: 01/13/2025 (Presented by Reps. Frank A. Moran and Marjorie C. Decker).
- First reading / introduced: 01/14/2025.
- Referred to Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy: 02/27/2025.
- Hearing scheduled (committee): 11/13/2025 (record shows rescheduling and virtual hearing location changes).
- Sponsor activity: additional House member sponsors added and removed in Jan–Oct 2025 (e.g., Bernstein added 01/29/2025).
- Note: the bill file also contains unrelated appended text from a South Carolina magistrate bill; the Massachusetts bill text (below) concerns pipeline/utility repair.
Purpose and intent
- To increase safety, transparency, and contractor oversight for work performed on public utility infrastructure (gas and electric) by requiring standardized procurement, prevailing-wage compliance, and a contractor certification/training program.
What the bill would do — key provisions
1. Apply public-construction procurement rules to utility-contracted work on public infrastructure
- Any construction, reconstruction, installation, alteration, or repair performed on public infrastructure by non‑utility employees (i.e., contractors) must be procured and performed under Massachusetts General Laws applicable to public construction — specifically sections 26–27F of chapter 149 and section 39M of chapter 30.
- (Those cited provisions govern public bidding, wage requirements, and procurement practices for public works.)
Prevailing-wage transparency requirement
Contractor certification and training program
Who would be affected
- Gas and electric utilities operating in Massachusetts (must follow procurement requirements and request prevailing-wage sheets).
- Contractors and contractor employees performing work on public infrastructure (would be required to be procured under public-construction rules and, once rules are in place, to meet training and certification requirements).
- Municipalities — prevailing-wage sheets requested by utilities are municipality‑specific; local construction projects involving utilities would be affected.
- Department of Labor Standards — tasked with rulemaking and administering the certification program.
- Potential indirect effects on ratepayers or utility budgets if compliance raises contractor labor costs.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Increased regulatory oversight and transparency of utility-contracted pipeline/ infrastructure repairs.
- Likely administrative and compliance costs for utilities and contractors (e.g., bidding under chapter 149, prevailing‑wage adherence, certification training). These could affect project budgets and contractor selection.
- Expected safety and quality benefits if certification and training improve workmanship and oversight.
- Implementation hinge: DLS rulemaking within one year; effect depends on the content and stringency of the regulations adopted.
Sponsors and related information
- Lead sponsors: Frank A. Moran and Marjorie C. Decker. Long list of cosponsors from across the House (see bill docket).
- Committee: Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
- Related docket note: HD 861 is listed as replacing (administrative cross‑reference in the House docket).
If you want, I can:
- Extract the exact statutory language proposed for insertion into MGL chapter 164, section 2; or
- Draft a short briefing on likely cost and timeline impacts for utilities and municipalities.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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