Labor Code §1771 requires prevailing wages on public works, but excepts projects at or below a stated contract amount. At or below what amount is a public works project excepted?

Explanation

Section 1771 requires the general prevailing rate of per diem wages on all public works, 'except for public works projects of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less' (b). The exception is written at the line, so a contract of exactly $1,000 falls inside it and a contract of $1,000.01 does not. (a) $500 is not a figure in §1771. (c) $15,000 and (d) $25,000 are real numbers borrowed from a different rule: under §1771.5(a) an awarding body running a labor compliance program approved by the Director of Industrial Relations may choose not to require prevailing wage on alteration, demolition, repair or maintenance of $15,000 or less, or construction of $25,000 or less. The same pair separately governs DIR registration under §1771.1(n).