Subject of Possible Rule Making: Apprenticeship rules concerning timeline for apprenticeship sponsors to submit requests for changes to apprenticeship program standards. WAC 296-05-008 Meetings and adjudicative proceedings.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In 2022, the Washington state legislature passed E2SSB 5600 concerning the sustainability and expansion of state registered apprenticeship programs. In part, the bill established industry sector platforms intended to collaborate and support apprenticeships (RCW 49.04.240). Among the responsibilities, the relevant industry sector platform must review proposed standards when submitted by an apprenticeship program and provide a recommendation to the Washington state apprenticeship training council (WSATC) for consideration in approving or denying the proposed apprenticeship program standards.

Rule making is needed to adjust the timeline for which an apprenticeship program submits proposed new program standards, additions, or changes to their existing apprenticeship program standard(s). In addition to the staff review process, the change is needed to allow time for industry sector platforms to review and provide recommendations prior to the WSATC meeting materials submission deadline. Currently, apprenticeship program standards requests must be submitted 45 days prior to the next regularly scheduled WSATC quarterly meeting. This rule making is intended to propose adjusting the submission deadline to allow adequate time for the additional level of review.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Labor (USDOL), Employment and Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship also regulates apprenticeships. Although the nature of the proposed changes does not necessitate coordination with USDOL, the federal agency may be provided an update on the rule-making process.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department of labor and industries (L&I) will develop rule language in consultation with WSATC, including the council's WAC/RCW policy subcommittee.

Interested parties may provide initial input in the course of drafting rule language by contacting the individual below. In addition, the public may participate when rules are proposed by providing written comments and/or spoken testimony during the public hearing and comment period.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kristin Murphy, L&I, Fraud Prevention and Labor Standards, P.O. Box 44530, Olympia, WA 98504-4530, phone 564-999-0975, TTY 1-800-833-6388, email ApprenticeshipRules@Lni.wa.gov.

Additional comments: For more information on L&I rule making, visit L&I's Rulemaking Activity web page at https://www.Lni.wa.gov/rulemaking-activity/.