Hiring Preferences
Section 25019(a) of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) – “Local Hiring Preference for Construction Jobs” – authorizes State and local agencies to implement a local or other geographical or economic hiring preference for labor on construction projects funded with funds under Title 23 or 49 U.S.C.
Due to Section 25019(a), State and local agencies should look to this provision for local or other geographical or economic hiring preferences, including such preferences that may be utilized under a project labor agreement. Since FHWA approval on an experimental basis of such hiring preferences authorized by BIL is no longer required, FHWA announced it has transitioned the Enhancing Workforce Development Opportunities (EHWDO) contracting initiative to hiring preferences authorized by BIL through a Federal Register Notice.
Authority/Legal Basis
Laws
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Section 25019(a) (2021)
Policy
- Federal Register notice, Enhancing Highway Workforce Development Opportunities Contracting Initiative (02/11/2022)
- BIL Section 25019(a) “Local Hiring Preferences for Construction Jobs” Questions and Answers (Q&As), (06/08/2022)
Other
Archive
- 2021 pilot program, “Enhancing Highway Workforce Development Opportunities Contracting Initiative”