91ÊÓƵ

A bill that would require contractors and subcontractors to pay prevailing wage on construction projects at Oregon’s colleges and universities passed out of the House Business and Labor Committee on Monday, but not without one member’s stern disapproval.

State Rep. Jim Weidner, R-Yamhill, was the only committee member to vote against sending the bill to a vote of the full House. Rep. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, was not present during the committee vote.

“I think this could actually hurt some of the donors to the university system,” Weidner said. “There’s no need for this bill.”

Rep. Margaret Doherty, D-Tigard, the committee chairwoman, will carry the bill on the floor of the House.

House Bill 2646 would apply to all private parties involved in construction, reconstruction, renovation or painting at any public university. The legislation would cover projects on any property that a public college or university owns or will use, occupy and ultimately own.

BILL STATUS: HB 2646 will be debated and voted upon by the full House. A date for the floor debate has not been set.