The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee on March 27 advanced a slate of workplace bills — from adding wage-data elements for benefit verification to expanding bereavement leave and strengthening public-works enforcement — most by bipartisan margins; several drew robust testimony from labor and business groups.

Substitute SB 63-02 directs L&I to investigate referrals alleging misclassification of independent contractors on public-works finishing trades; the substitute creates an enforcement trigger (three or more contractors doing the same work) and was supported by labor and many contractor associations after negotiation.

The Senate approved House committee substitutes for House Bills 23-66 and 25-11, increasing liability for contractors who knowingly employ unauthorized workers and giving the Attorney General investigatory and enforcement powers, including injunctive relief and license/permit sanctions.

Senate File 4,745, authored by Senator Gustafson, would centralize certified-payroll reporting for prevailing-wage projects in a Department of Administration portal. Supporters said it improves enforcement and relieves local burdens; opponents warned it could expose sensitive employee data. The committee adopted the A13 amendment and laid the bill over.

Department reports 99 misclassification intakes in 2023 amid heightened awareness and outreach efforts

Nevada increases penalties for labor law violations, allowing fines up to $5000.

California plans to loan $400 million from the Labor and Workforce Development Fund.

The House Business, Labor and Commerce Committee recommended HB 294 favorably as amended to require E‑Verify for employers with more than 100 employees, after sponsor and stakeholders debated enforcement, industry burden and identity‑theft claims. The motion to adopt the amendment passed unanimously; committee recommendation passed 10–3.