Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
StateVirginiaIntroduced
HB 260: Public service companies; prevailing wage rate for underground infrastructure work.
Shelly Simonds
HB 260 status: Introduced — Continued from last session (updated Jul 21, 2026).
Source
OpenStates
Confidence
Low
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
53OUT OF 100
Score:53/100 civic fit
Risk:Moderate Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 55/100
Constitutionality90%
Bipartisan50%
Public opinion50%
Bill summary
Prevailing wage rate for underground infrastructure work by public service companies. Directs the Department of Labor and Industry to determine and make available the prevailing wage rate for underground infrastructure work, as defined in the bill. Under the bill, each public service company shall ensure that its bid specifications or other contracts applicable to underground infrastructure work require payment at the prevailing wage rate. The bill requires contractors and subcontractors to post the prevailing wage rate in a prominent and accessible place at the work site. The bill also requires each contractor or subcontractor subject to the provisions of the bill to comply with certain recordkeeping requirements. The provisions of the bill apply to contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2027.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Mixed / Neutral
55%
Benefits
- Standardizes labor compensation for infrastructure workers
- Prevents wage undercutting among contractors
- Promotes fair market competition in bidding
Risks
- Increases overhead costs for public service providers
- Potential for increased utility rates for consumers
- Compliance burden on contractors and subcontractors
Society
Mixed / Neutral
50%
Benefits
- Improves standard of living for infrastructure workers
- Ensures fair pay for essential service delivery
- Enhances transparency of wage expectations at worksites
Risks
- Implementation friction during transition period
- Complexity in wage rate classification definitions
- Potential for project delays due to compliance disputes
Technology Industry
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Civic Accountability
Mixed / Neutral
55%
Benefits
- Establishes DOLI oversight of infrastructure wages
- Mandates visible public disclosure of wage rates
- Creates mandatory recordkeeping for compliance
Risks
- Increases scope of state regulatory intervention
- Enforcement challenges for remote worksites
- Potential for litigation regarding wage definitions
Public Health & Safety
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
Increased operating costs for public service companies may lead to subsequent rate adjustment requests.
Analysis scope
Source provided is a summary; full statutory definitions are unavailable.
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedCurrent
- CommitteeUpcoming
- Chamber votesUpcoming
- Final agreementUpcoming
- GovernorUpcoming
- EnactedUpcoming
05
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06
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