West Virginia House Bill HB4548

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/26
• Refer: 1/19/26
• Refer: 1/20/26

Caption

WV building and constructions trades code enforcement West Virginia First

Summary

House Bill 4548 amends the West Virginia Jobs Act to strengthen local hiring requirements on public improvement construction projects. It keeps the general rule that employers must hire at least 75% of workers from the local labor market, and it requires employers seeking a waiver to first notify WorkForce West Virginia of the number of qualified workers needed, along with job descriptions and wage rates. If WorkForce West Virginia cannot refer enough qualified applicants within three business days, it must issue a written waiver allowing the employer to hire outside the local labor market, but only using the same qualifications and wage rates originally submitted to the agency. The bill also expands and clarifies the scope of the Jobs Act so it applies to all public improvement projects, including pilot projects assisted or authorized by the West Virginia Economic Development Authority. In addition, it requires public authorities or employers to file waiver certificates and certified payroll records with the Division of Labor, and directs the division to compile annual reports for legislative review. The Division of Labor must also create and maintain a public online database of certified payroll documents, with sensitive personal information redacted.

Impact

HB4548 would increase state oversight of public construction labor practices by tying waiver-based out-of-area hiring to the same qualifications and wage rates reported to WorkForce West Virginia, expanding reporting obligations, and making payroll records publicly accessible. It would affect public authorities, contractors, subcontractors, and the Division of Labor by requiring standardized documentation, annual reporting, and database maintenance. The bill would also clarify that the West Virginia Jobs Act covers a broader range of public improvement projects, including certain Economic Development Authority pilot projects.

Sentiment

The available context suggests generally supportive sentiment, with the bill framed as a "West Virginia first" measure intended to prioritize local workers and improve transparency on publicly funded construction projects. The bill text emphasizes enforcement, reporting, and public access to records rather than loosening labor standards. No committee testimony or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of formal support or opposition in the available materials.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are likely to be the stricter local hiring and waiver conditions, the expansion of the Jobs Act to additional public improvement projects, and the requirement to publish certified payroll records in a public database. Contractors and public authorities may view the added reporting and disclosure obligations as burdensome, while supporters are likely to argue that the bill protects West Virginia workers, improves accountability, and ensures public projects benefit local labor. The public-records component may also raise privacy concerns, though the bill attempts to address that by redacting highly sensitive personal information.