After a work session today, the House Economic Matters Committee’s Business Regulation Subcommittee approved an amended version of the living wage bill, HB 430. The legislation would require employers under a State service contract worth more then $100,000 to pay an hourly wage of at least $11.30 (amended from $11.95) per hour to their employees.

The Chamber opposes this bill because it undermines the purpose of competitive bidding for contracts, which should be to obtain the best service at the lowest price. Passage of this legislation could also put smaller businesses at a competitive disadvantage in bidding for state contracts. To view the Chamber’s complete position statement, click here (pdf).