Legal

Davis-Bacon Act

Federal law requiring prevailing wage payment on federally-funded construction projects over $2,000.

Enacted in 1931, Davis-Bacon establishes that contractors on federal construction projects must pay workers no less than the locally prevailing wage as determined by the Department of Labor. Contractors must submit certified payroll weekly. The Act applies to federal contracts and federally-assisted work. Many states have "Little Davis-Bacon" laws extending similar requirements to state-funded work.