RCRC continues to oppose Assembly Bill 1717, authored by Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Davis), which would change the definition of public works to include fuels reduction projects done under contract, thereby requiring prevailing wage for projects paid for in part or whole by public funds.
The ability to utilize Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and other public dollars has afforded rural local governments the ability to undertake such vital projects as clearing dead and dying trees from critical infrastructure and residential properties during California’s recent tree mortality epidemic, as well as completing community wildfire mitigation projects in concert with local fire prevention organizations to help safeguard residents from the impacts of devastating wildfires. AB 1717 would increase the cost of crucial fire mitigation projects around communities and critical infrastructure by including these projects in the definition of “public works,” thus subjecting them to prevailing wage. The requirements could furthermore prelude local small businesses from qualifying to perform wildfire mitigation work due to the state requirements placed on public works contractors. RCRC has long advocated for increased training and development of a local forest management and wildfire prevention workforce. AB 1717 would simply drive up costs and availability of the scarce forest workforce currently in place, while shrinking the pace and scale of vegetation treatment projects on the ground, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
AB 1717 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday, August 11, 2022 and now moves to the Senate Floor. RCRC’s letter of opposition is available here. For more information, please contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate, Staci Heaton.