On Oct. 18, the state House of Representatives passed two critical labor bills—H.B. 1449 and H.B. 1465. Both bills now head to the state Senate for consideration.

House Bill 1449, sponsored by state Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh, would establish a statewide responsible contractor law, setting clear requirements that firms bidding on publicly funded infrastructure projects must meet and requiring firms to have a state or federal registered apprenticeship program and pay prevailing rate.