Public works: payroll records.

Assembly Member Berman's proposal to modify California's public works payroll record requirements would establish new obligations for awarding bodies when responding to public requests for certified payroll records. Under the measure, awarding bodies that receive public requests for records they do not possess must obtain those documents from the relevant contractor and make them available to the requesting party. The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement would gain authority to enforce penalties through withheld progress payments if contractors fail to provide records within 10 days of receiving notice.

The bill maintains existing requirements for contractors and subcontractors to keep detailed payroll records showing employee information, work classifications, hours worked, and wages paid. These records must include written declarations under penalty of perjury confirming their accuracy and compliance with labor laws. When making records available for public inspection, awarding bodies must continue redacting personal information like social security numbers, with specific exceptions for certain labor organizations and enforcement agencies.

The measure preserves current provisions allowing the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to assess penalties of $100 per worker per day against contractors who fail to comply with record requests. While expanding obligations for awarding bodies, the bill includes no state reimbursement requirement, as any new local costs would stem from changes to crime definitions under California's Constitution.