HB 185-LABOR NEUTRALITY FOR STATE CONTRACTS   5:18:04 PM CHAIR OLSON announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 185, "An Act relating to the labor organization position of state agencies and others with regard to construction contracts paid for by state money." REPRESENTATIVE MIKE KELLY, Alaska State Legislature, speaking as prime sponsor of HB 185, stated that the bill promotes open construction and is also called the "Government Neutrality and Contracting Act." He related that Alaska's construction force consists of about 70 to 75 percent non-union and about 25 to 30 percent union. This bill would promote and ensure open competition on state construction projects while maintaining government neutrality toward construction contractor labor relations, he further stated. 5:19:15 PM REPRESENTATIVE KELLY offered that the intent of HB 185 is to reduce construction costs, expand job opportunities, and prevent unfair discrimination based on labor affiliation or non- affiliation. This bill supports awarding construction work based on the merit of the bid or proposal through open competition without favoritism to any special interest. The bill forbids the state from requiring union only project labor agreements (PLA), while at the same time providing that nothing in its terms prohibit any contractor or subcontractor from voluntarily entering into a PLA or other labor agreement. He related that this bill is about fairness. It's about the three- fourths of our state that operate non union. It ensures PLAs are voluntary, that the state does not impose its will on the construction work force. CHAIR OLSON stated that HB 185 would be held over for further consideration. 5:20:37 PM