34:11-56.31 Powers of commissioner.

7. The commissioner shall have the authority to:

(a) investigate and ascertain the wages of workmen employed in any public work in the State;

(b) enter and inspect the place of business or employment of any employer or workmen in any public work in the State, for the purpose of examining and inspecting any or all books, registers, payrolls, and other records of any such employer that in any way relate to or have a bearing upon the question of wages, hours, and other conditions of employment of any such workmen; copy any or all of such books, registers, payrolls, and other records as he or his authorized representative may deem necessary or appropriate; obtain proof of, and question, any worker's identity to determine whether the worker's identity is accurately and truthfully included or reported in any or all books, registers, payrolls, and other records of the employer that in any way relate to or have a bearing upon the question of wages, hours, and other conditions of employment in the public work; and question such workmen for the purpose of ascertaining whether the provisions of this act have been and are being complied with;

(c) require from such employer full and correct statements in writing, including sworn statements, with respect to wages, hours, names, addresses, and such other information pertaining to his workmen and their employment as the commissioner, or his authorized representative may deem necessary or appropriate; and

(d) require any employer to file, within 10 days of receipt of a request, any records enumerated in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, sworn to as to their validity and accuracy. If the employer fails to provide the requested records within 10 days, the commissioner may direct within 15 days the fiscal or financial officer charged with the custody and disbursements of the funds of the public body which contracted for the public work immediately to withhold from payment to the employer up to 25% of the amount, not to exceed $100,000.00, to be paid to the employer under the terms of the contract pursuant to which the public work is being performed. The amount withheld shall be immediately released upon receipt by the public body of a notice from the commissioner indicating that the request for records has been satisfied.

L.1963, c.150, s.7; amended 1987, c.451; 2015, c.281.