Nevada Jobs First Signed Into Law
April 27, 2011
Governor Sandoval signed “Nevada Jobs First” (A.B. 144), introduced and sponsored by Assembly Democratic leadership, giving priority in bidding on state and local public works projects to Nevada businesses that employ Nevada workers and buy products and materials from Nevada businesses. “Nevada Jobs First” is the first part of the Democratic economic development agenda to be signed into law, creating jobs filled by Nevadans.
Several projects are expected to come online immediately as a result of this legislation, and the significant, positive impact it will have on Nevada’s economy comes at a time when we need it most. Experts say for every dollar spent under the legislation, $1.47 will be generated back into the Nevada economy. Under Nevada Jobs First, there could be an immediate impact of almost $170 million on Nevada’s economy from more than 150 contracts around the state that have been identified. These are dollars that will be spent in Nevada, employing Nevadans, and buying products and materials from Nevada businesses.
Specifically, there are close to 75 public works projects from around the state that are about to be scheduled to be competitively bid within the next 60 days, totaling approximately $130 million, for a potential economic impact of more than $190 million. There are another nine state public works projects that are scheduled to be competitively bid within the next 90 days, totaling approximately $30 million, for a potential economic impact of more than $44 million. The vast majority of these projects will benefit what is perhaps the hardest hit sector of the economy—construction.
A primary sponsor of the legislation, Assembly Government Affairs Chair Marilyn Kirkpatrick, said, “Nevada Jobs First is the kind of common sense legislation we need in these difficult economic times. This bill will bring valuable taxpayer dollars back to Nevada, putting them to work creating jobs we need, doing so right away now that the legislation has been signed by the governor.”
Under “Nevada Jobs First,” any state or local public works contract awarded to a contractor with a bidder’s preference must meet these criteria:
- At least 50% of all workers employed on the public works project will be Nevada residents.
- All vehicles used primarily for the public works project must be registered in the State of Nevada.
- At least 50% of the design professionals working on public works, including employees of the contractor and its subcontractors, will hold a valid Nevada driver’s license identification card issued by the Nevada DMV.
- At least 25% of the suppliers of the materials used for the public works projects will be located in the State of Nevada.
- All payroll records for the public works project must be housed in the State of Nevada.
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