BILL REQ. #:  Z-1111.2 

Read first time 01/18/2006.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

     AN ACT Relating to apprenticeship utilization requirements for department of transportation public works projects; amending RCW 39.04.320; creating a new section; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A well-trained construction trades work force is critical to the ability of the state of Washington to construct public works. Studies of the state's work force highlight population trends that, without a concerted effort to offset them, will lead to an inadequate supply of skilled workers in the construction industry. State government regularly constructs public works. The efficient and economical construction of public works projects will be harmed if there is not an ample supply of trained construction workers. Apprenticeship training programs are particularly effective in providing training and experience to individuals seeking to enter or advance in the work force. By providing for apprenticeship utilization on public works projects, state government can create opportunities for training and experience that will help assure that a trained work force will be available, including returning veterans, in sufficient numbers in the future for the construction of public works. Furthermore, the state of Washington hereby establishes its intent to assist returning veterans through programs such as the "helmets to hardhats" program, which is administered by the center for military recruitment, assessment, and veterans employment, with funding administered by the United States army. It is the state's intent to assist returning veterans with apprenticeship placement career opportunities, in order to expedite the transition from military service to the construction work force.

Sec. 2   RCW 39.04.320 and 2005 c 3 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) From January 1, 2005, and thereafter, for all public works estimated to cost one million dollars or more, all specifications shall require that no less than fifteen percent of the labor hours be performed by apprentices.
     (2) Awarding agency directors may adjust the requirements of this section for a specific project for the following reasons:
     (a) The demonstrated lack of availability of apprentices in specific geographic areas;
     (b) A disproportionately high ratio of material costs to labor hours, which does not make feasible the required minimum levels of apprentice participation;
     (c) Participating contractors have demonstrated a good faith effort to comply with the requirements of chapter 3, Laws of 2005; or
     (d) Other criteria the awarding agency director deems appropriate, which are subject to review by the office of the governor.
     (3) This section applies only to public works contracts awarded by the state. However, this section does not apply to contracts awarded by state four-year institutions of higher education((,)) or state agencies headed by a separately elected public official((, or the department of transportation)).
     (4)(a) The department of general administration must provide information and technical assistance to affected agencies and collect the following data from affected agencies for each project covered by this section:
     (i) The name of each apprentice and apprentice registration number;
     (ii) The name of each project;
     (iii) The dollar value of each project;
     (iv) The date of the contractor's notice to proceed;
     (v) The number of apprentices and labor hours worked by them, categorized by trade or craft;
     (vi) The number of journey level workers and labor hours worked by them, categorized by trade or craft; and
     (vii) The number, type, and rationale for the exceptions granted under subsection (2) of this section.
     (b) The department of labor and industries shall assist the department of general administration in providing information and technical assistance.
     (5) At the request of the senate labor, commerce, research and development committee, the house of representatives commerce and labor committee, or their successor committees, and the governor, the department of general administration and the department of labor and industries shall compile and summarize the agency data and provide a joint report to both committees. The report shall include recommendations on modifications or improvements to the apprentice utilization program and information on skill shortages in each trade or craft.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act takes effect July 1, 2007.