HB 1898

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Commerce & Labor Committee

HB 1898

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Providing apprenticeship utilization requirements for school district public works projects.

Sponsors: Representatives Quall, Conway, Haler, Santos, Appleton, McDermott, Haigh, P. Sullivan, Chase, Green, Fromhold, Moeller, Wood, Simpson, Linville, Hunt, Barlow, Sells, Hasegawa, Kenney, Hudgins, Morrell and Ormsby.

Brief Summary of Bill

Extends apprenticeship utilization requirements to public works contracts awarded by school districts.

Hearing Date: 2/16/07

Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).

Background:

State agencies under the Governor's authority must require that apprentices enrolled in state-approved apprenticeship training programs participate in public works projects. This requirement was originally established in an executive order issued in 2000, and codified in legislation enacted in 2005.

For public works estimated to cost $1 million or more, the specifications must require that no less than 15 percent of the labor hours be performed by apprentices enrolled in state-approved apprenticeship training programs.

Awarding agencies may adjust this apprenticeship utilization requirement for specific projects for the following reasons:

a demonstrated lack of availability of apprentices in specific geographic areas;
a disproportionately high ratio of material costs to labor hours;
a demonstrated good faith effort by participating contractors to comply with the apprenticeship utilization requirement; or
other criteria the agency director deems appropriate, subject to prior review by the office of the Governor.

These apprenticeship utilization provisions apply to public works contracts awarded by state agencies, but not the state Department of Transportation, state four-year institutions of higher education, or state agencies headed by a separately elected public official. (Public works by the state Department of Transportation are subject to slightly different apprenticeship utilization requirements.)

Summary of Bill:

For public works by school districts that are estimated to cost $1 million or more, the specifications must require that no less than 15 percent of the labor hours be performed by apprentices enrolled in state-approved apprenticeship training programs. This requirement applies only to contracts advertised for bid on or after January 1, 2008.

Rules Authority: The bill does not address the rule-making powers of an agency.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 6, 2007.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.