Public contracts: skilled and trained workforce requirement.

Assembly Member Rogers' legislation would require contractors working on California State University construction and design projects to commit to using skilled and trained workforces throughout their subcontractor networks. The measure adds new workforce qualification standards to existing CSU contracting procedures that allow trustees to bundle design services and construction under single agreements.

Under the proposed requirements, contractors must provide enforceable commitments that they and all subcontractors will employ skilled and trained workers for any project tasks falling within apprenticeable building and construction trades. The bill outlines three compliance pathways: contractors can either make direct workforce commitments or participate in project labor agreements (PLAs) - either through existing CSU agreements or by establishing their own PLA binding all subcontractors. Projects operating under CSU labor agreements established before January 2026 would maintain their current terms.

The measure builds upon existing Public Contract Code provisions that permit public entities to require skilled workforce commitments. While maintaining core CSU contracting elements like competitive bidding and certified architectural oversight, it adds workforce qualifications as a prerequisite for contractor prequalification, shortlisting, and contract awards. These changes would apply to agreements where CSU trustees determine that combining design and construction services serves the university's interests.