(a)    In this subtitle, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b)    “Apprentice” means an individual who:

(1)    is at least 16 years old;

(2)    has signed with an employer or employer’s agent, an association of employers, an organization of employees, or a joint committee from both, an agreement including a statement of:

(i)    the trade, craft, or occupation that the individual is learning; and

(ii)    the beginning and ending dates of the apprenticeship; and

(3)    is registered in a program of the Council or the Office of Apprenticeship of the United States Department of Labor.

(c)    “Commissioner” means:

(1)    the Commissioner of Labor and Industry;

(2)    the Deputy Commissioner of Labor and Industry; or

(3)    an authorized representative of the Commissioner.

(d)    “Construction” includes all:

(1)    building;

(2)    reconstructing;

(3)    improving;

(4)    enlarging;

(5)    painting and decorating;

(6)    altering;

(7)    maintaining; and

(8)    repairing.

(e)    “Council” means the Apprenticeship and Training Council.

(f)    (1)    “Employee” means an apprentice or worker employed by a contractor or subcontractor under a public work contract.

(2)    “Employee” does not include an individual employed by a public body.

(g)    (1)    “Locality” means the county in which the work is to be performed.

(2)    If the public work is located within 2 or more counties, the locality includes all counties in which the public work is located.

(h)    “Prevailing wage rate” means the hourly rate of wages paid in the locality as determined by the Commissioner under § 17–208 of this subtitle.

(i)    (1)    “Public body” means:

(i)    the State;

(ii)    except as provided in paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection, a unit of the State government or instrumentality of the State;

(iii)    any political subdivision, agency, person, or entity:

1.    with respect to the construction of an elementary or a secondary school for which 25% or more of the money used for construction is State money; or

2.    with respect to the construction of any other public work for which 50% or more of the money used for construction is State money;

(iv)    notwithstanding paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection, a political subdivision if its governing body:

1.    provides by ordinance or resolution that the political subdivision is covered by this subtitle; and

2.    gives written notice of that ordinance or resolution to the Commissioner; and

(v)    the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.

(2)    “Public body” does not include:

(i)    except as provided in paragraph (1)(v) of this subsection, a unit of the State government or instrumentality of the State funded wholly from a source other than the State; or

(ii)    any political subdivision, agency, person, or entity:

1.    with respect to the construction of an elementary or a secondary school for which less than 25% of the money used for construction is State money; or

2.    with respect to the construction of any other public work for which less than 50% of the money used for construction is State money.

(j)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, “public work” means a structure or work, including a bridge, building, ditch, road, alley, waterwork, or sewage disposal plant, that:

(i)    is constructed for public use or benefit; or

(ii)    is paid for wholly or partly by public money.

(2)    “Public work” does not include:

(i)    unless let to contract, a structure or work whose construction is performed by a public service company under order of the Public Service Commission or other public authority regardless of:

1.    public supervision or direction; or

2.    payment wholly or partly from public money; or

(ii)    an elementary or a secondary school if:

1.    the school is not in a political subdivision covered under subsection (i)(1)(iv) of this section; and

2.    the State provides less than 25% of the money for construction.

(k)    “Public work contract” means a contract for construction of a public work.

(l)    “Worker” means a laborer or mechanic.