Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Labor Committee

HB 1595

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: Changing the definition of labor hours for the purposes of the apprenticeship utilization statute.

Sponsors: Representatives Senn, Clibborn, Walsh and Ormsby.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Changes the definition of "labor hours" in the apprenticeship utilization statutes to include hours worked "upon" the project, rather than just "on the site" of the project.

Hearing Date: 2/2/15

Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).

Background:

Generally, public works projects that are estimated to cost $1 million or more must require that at least 15 percent of the labor hours be performed by apprentices enrolled in approved apprenticeship training programs.

"Labor hours" is defined as the total hours of workers receiving an hourly wage who are directly employed "on the site" of the public works project.

Some awarding agencies have looked to federal law for guidance on interpreting the phrase "on the site" of the project. Under the Davis-Bacon Act (the federal law that requires prevailing wages be paid on federally-funded public works projects) the term "on the site" of the work means, generally, the physical place where the building or work called for in the contract will remain, and any other site where a significant portion of the building or work is constructed, provided that such site is established specifically for the performance of the contract or project.

Washington's prevailing wage laws, require that laborers "upon" the public works project must be paid prevailing wages. The prevailing wage law has been interpreted to extend beyond work performed directly on the site of the project.

Summary of Bill:

The definition of "labor hours" in the apprenticeship utilization statutes is changed to mean the total hours of workers employed "upon" (rather than on the site of) the project.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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