Which of the following is the BEST definition of 'public works' for prevailing wage purposes?
Explanation
Labor Code §1720(a)(1) defines public works as construction, alteration, demolition, installation or repair work done under contract and paid for in whole or in part out of public funds. The $1,000 figure in §1771 is the threshold above which prevailing wages are owed, not the definition of public works. Public ownership of the land is not the test either: a privately funded project on public land can fall outside it, while a privately owned project built with a public subsidy can fall inside. Work a public agency performs with its own forces is expressly outside §1771.
Law Reference: Labor Code §1720(a)(1); §1771This topic, taught in full in the CSLB Law & Business guide. CSLB Law & Business — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
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