(a) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 4420, commencing January 1, 1999, a state agency may utilize owner-controlled or wrap-up insurance programs if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The total cost of the public works project is over one hundred twenty-five million dollars ($125,000,000).
(2) The program maintains completed operation coverage for a term for which the Insurance Commissioner has determined that coverage is reasonably commercially available, but in no event less than three years.
(3) Bid specifications clearly specify for all bidders the insurance coverage provided under the program, and minimum safety requirements that must be met.
(4) The program does not prohibit a contractor or subcontractor from purchasing any additional insurance coverage that a contractor or subcontractor believes is necessary to protect themselves from any liability arising out of the contract.
(5) The program does not include surety insurance.
(b) Safety requirements for a public works project subject to this subdivision may be developed jointly between a state agency and the prime contractor. In the event that a state agency requires a safety program different than the prime contractor’s usual and customary program, the program shall be mutually agreed upon, taking into account the prime contractor’s experience, expertise, existing labor agreements relating to safety issues, and any unique safety issues relating to the project.
(c) This subdivision shall not affect any provision in a collective bargaining agreement specified in Section 3201.5 of the Labor Code that is submitted by the prime contractor with its construction bid.
(d) For purposes of this section, “owner-controlled or wrap-up insurance” means a series of insurance policies issued to cover all of the contractors and subcontractors on a given project for purposes of general liability and workers’ compensation.
(e) For purposes of this section, “public works project” means construction being performed at one site or at a series of contiguous sites separated only by a street, roadway, waterway, or railroad right-of-way, or along a continuous system for the provision of water and power.
(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 679, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999.)