Washington State House of Representatives	BILL ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee

HB 1676

Brief Description:  Investing in human resources for transportation.

Sponsors:  Representatives Fisher, Mitchell and Poulsen; by request of The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation.

Brief Summary of Bill

$The apprenticeship council is directed to work with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish technical apprenticeship opportunities specific to the needs of transportation.

$A human resources skills bank of transportation professionals is established.

$Multi-modal and regional transportation plans must include plans for enhancing skills of technical transportation workers.

Hearing Date:  2/14/01

Staff:  Penny Nerup (786‑7335).

Background: 

The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation recommended that partnerships with employer-employee organizations be formed to develop apprenticeships and training programs to ensure the availability of a skilled workforce to deliver projects and services to the Department of Transportation.

Currently, the director of the Department of Labor and Industries has the authority to appoint an apprenticeship council, composed of three representatives from each employer and employee organization to establish standards and rules for apprenticeship agreements.

Summary of Bill: 

The apprenticeship council is directed to work with the Department of Transportation and local jurisdictions and colleges to establish technical apprenticeship opportunities specific to the needs of transportation.  The council is to report to the Legislature on the establishment of transportation technical training programs by December 1, 2001.

The Department of Transportation is authorized to work with local transportation jurisdictions and representatives of transportation labor groups to establish a human resources skills bank of transportation professionals so that all transportation authorities can draw from it when needed.  The department is to report on its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2001.

The state interest component of the state-wide multi-modal transportation plan and regional transportation plans must also include a plan for enhancing the skills of the existing technical transportation workers.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Preliminary fiscal note available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.