S5868B
An act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law — 2024-06-04 · Calendar #1690
The New York State Senate passed legislation to expand prevailing wage protections to brownfield remediation work, addressing a gap in labor standards that has existed since 2019-2020 prevailing wage negotiations. Senate Print 5868B, sponsored by Sen. Harckham, amends the Environmental Conservation Law to include brownfield projects under prevailing wage requirements while exempting affordable housing developments. The bill passed on a 60-0 roll call vote. Harckham credited labor partners including Marina O'Donnell of the Operating Engineers and Amanda Jensen of the Laborers for their collaboration over two years in developing the legislation. The measure takes effect January 1.
PASSED
Ayes: 60
· Nays: N/A
Debate Summary
Sen. Harckham explained that the bill adds brownfield remediation work to prevailing wage requirements, addressing a gap left when prevailing wage bills were negotiated in 2019-2020. The legislation exempts affordable housing projects from the prevailing wage requirement due to the importance of affordable housing development. The bill was developed in partnership with labor organizations over a two-year period.