Bill Sponsors
Shanley, Edwards, Bennett, Solomon, O'Brien, and Biah
Committee
House Labor
Summary
Select
This bill changes the rules for large public construction and renovation projects in Rhode Island. It requires that projects involving glass work, like installing windows or skylights, use companies certified by the North American Contractor Certification. It also sets a timeline requiring a certain percentage of the glass installation crew to hold an Architectural Glass and Metal Technician certification, increasing from one worker in 2024 to 50% of the crew by 2027. The Department of Labor and Training will enforce these rules, and companies that break them can face fines or lose their licenses.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Enhances workplace safety and construction quality on public projects by requiring specialized training and certification for glazing workers.
- Supports labor standards and professionalizes the trade, which can lead to better wages and job security for certified workers.
- Ensures accountability for contractors through strict enforcement mechanisms and fines, preventing companies from cutting corners on public infrastructure.
Cons for Progressives
- May create barriers to entry for smaller, minority-owned, or disadvantaged businesses that cannot afford the costs or time required to obtain NACC and AGMT certifications.
- Could temporarily displace existing, uncertified workers who have experience but lack the formal credentials now required to work on these public projects.
- Might increase the overall cost of public works projects, which could divert public funds away from other essential social services or community programs.
Pros for Conservatives
- Ensures that taxpayer money is spent on high-quality construction by mandating that only certified and vetted professionals perform specialized glass work on large public projects.
- Establishes clear, predictable standards and a phased timeline for compliance, giving businesses time to adapt to the new certification requirements.
- Creates a strict enforcement framework that penalizes bad actors who violate the rules, promoting a level playing field for law-abiding contractors.
Cons for Conservatives
- Imposes heavy government regulations and mandates on private businesses, interfering with corporate freedom and the free market.
- Restricts competition by freezing out contractors and workers who do not have the specific third-party certifications mandated by the government.
- Likely increases the cost of construction for taxpayers, as certified companies may charge higher rates and face increased compliance costs.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely. The bill provides a clear administrative hearing process for violations, ensuring due process. Regulating contracting standards, qualifications, and worker certifications for state and municipal public works projects falls well within the state's authority.
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Construction contractors
- Glazing workers
- Department of Labor and Training
- Municipalities
- Taxpayers
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Amount unknown
Revenue Generated
Amount unknown
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
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Public Services
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Regulatory
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Clarity of Bill Language
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Enforcement Provisions
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Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 04/17/2026 Introduced, referred to House Labor
• 04/24/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/30/2026)
• 04/30/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
• 04/24/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/30/2026)
• 04/30/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 37-2-82 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-2 entitled "State Purchases" is hereby amended to read as follows:
37-2-82. Utilization of North American Contractor Certification companies.
(a) All public works renovation projects that exceed an aggregate amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000), and all new construction projects that exceed an aggregate amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000), that include glazing work, shall have glazing work performed by North American Contractor Certification (“NACC”) certified companies and initially, on and after July 1, 2024, shall have one architectural glass and metal technician (“AGMT”) certified worker employed by the company or contractor. On and after January 1, 2025, each crew performing work that meets the criteria of this section shall have one AGMT certified worker on site. On and after January 1, 2026, for each crew performing work that meets the criteria of this section, twenty-five percent (25%) of that crew shall be comprised of AGMT certified individuals on site. On and after January 1, 2027, for each crew performing work that meets the criteria of the section, fifty percent (50%) of that crew shall be comprised of AGMT certified individuals on site.
(b) As used herein, the term “glazing work” includes, but is not limited to, replacement and installation of windows, curtain walls, interior glass partitions, glass handrails, aluminum entrances, skylights, store fronts, and general installation of architectural glass and metal.
(c)(1) The department of labor and training shall enforce the provisions of this section. If the director, or designee, determines that a violation of these provisions has occurred, the director, or designee, shall order a hearing at a time and place to be specified, and shall give notice, together with a copy of the complaint or the purpose thereof, or a statement of the facts disclosed upon investigation, which notice shall be served personally or by mail on any person, business, corporation, or entity of any kind affected thereby.
(2) The person, business, corporation, or entity shall have an opportunity to be heard in respect to the matters complained of at the time and place specified in the notice.
(3) The hearing shall be conducted by the director, or designee. The hearing officer in the hearing shall be deemed to have jurisdiction and dispositive authority to hear and adjudicate the matter, and shall have the right to issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and examine witnesses. The enforcement of a subpoena issued under this section shall be regulated by civil practice law and the rules of civil procedure. The hearing shall be expeditiously conducted and upon such hearing the hearing officer shall determine the issues raised and shall make a determination and enter an order within thirty (30) days of the close of the hearing, and forthwith serve a copy of the order, with a notice of the filing, upon the parties to the proceeding, personally or by mail.
(4) The order shall dismiss the complaint or determine that a violation of the provisions of this section occurred. The order shall represent a final action by the department of labor and training.
(d) Any contractor or subcontractor determined to have violated the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) and not greater than three thousand dollars ($3,000), and shall be subject to the revocation of any relevant professional or occupational license, if the violation is deemed to have been intentional or egregious.
(e) This section is applicable to all public works projects that fit the other criteria as provided in this section.
(f) For purposes of this section, "public works project" includes any project financed, undertaken, managed, or contracted for, by the state, its departments, agencies, authorities, public corporations, quasi-public corporations, municipalities, school committees, or any other political subdivision. The requirements of this section shall apply to all such public works projects, without regard to the source of funding or procurement method; provided that, the project meets the monetary thresholds in subsection (a) of this section and includes glazing work as defined in subsection (b) of this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
37-2-82. Utilization of North American Contractor Certification companies.
(a) All public works renovation projects that exceed an aggregate amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000), and all new construction projects that exceed an aggregate amount of five million dollars ($5,000,000), that include glazing work, shall have glazing work performed by North American Contractor Certification (“NACC”) certified companies and initially, on and after July 1, 2024, shall have one architectural glass and metal technician (“AGMT”) certified worker employed by the company or contractor. On and after January 1, 2025, each crew performing work that meets the criteria of this section shall have one AGMT certified worker on site. On and after January 1, 2026, for each crew performing work that meets the criteria of this section, twenty-five percent (25%) of that crew shall be comprised of AGMT certified individuals on site. On and after January 1, 2027, for each crew performing work that meets the criteria of the section, fifty percent (50%) of that crew shall be comprised of AGMT certified individuals on site.
(b) As used herein, the term “glazing work” includes, but is not limited to, replacement and installation of windows, curtain walls, interior glass partitions, glass handrails, aluminum entrances, skylights, store fronts, and general installation of architectural glass and metal.
(c)(1) The department of labor and training shall enforce the provisions of this section. If the director, or designee, determines that a violation of these provisions has occurred, the director, or designee, shall order a hearing at a time and place to be specified, and shall give notice, together with a copy of the complaint or the purpose thereof, or a statement of the facts disclosed upon investigation, which notice shall be served personally or by mail on any person, business, corporation, or entity of any kind affected thereby.
(2) The person, business, corporation, or entity shall have an opportunity to be heard in respect to the matters complained of at the time and place specified in the notice.
(3) The hearing shall be conducted by the director, or designee. The hearing officer in the hearing shall be deemed to have jurisdiction and dispositive authority to hear and adjudicate the matter, and shall have the right to issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and examine witnesses. The enforcement of a subpoena issued under this section shall be regulated by civil practice law and the rules of civil procedure. The hearing shall be expeditiously conducted and upon such hearing the hearing officer shall determine the issues raised and shall make a determination and enter an order within thirty (30) days of the close of the hearing, and forthwith serve a copy of the order, with a notice of the filing, upon the parties to the proceeding, personally or by mail.
(4) The order shall dismiss the complaint or determine that a violation of the provisions of this section occurred. The order shall represent a final action by the department of labor and training.
(d) Any contractor or subcontractor determined to have violated the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) and not greater than three thousand dollars ($3,000), and shall be subject to the revocation of any relevant professional or occupational license, if the violation is deemed to have been intentional or egregious.
(e) This section is applicable to all public works projects that fit the other criteria as provided in this section.
(f) For purposes of this section, "public works project" includes any project financed, undertaken, managed, or contracted for, by the state, its departments, agencies, authorities, public corporations, quasi-public corporations, municipalities, school committees, or any other political subdivision. The requirements of this section shall apply to all such public works projects, without regard to the source of funding or procurement method; provided that, the project meets the monetary thresholds in subsection (a) of this section and includes glazing work as defined in subsection (b) of this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.