SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1595

As of March 11, 2015

Title: An act relating to changing the definition of labor hours for the purposes of the apprenticeship utilization statute.

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

Sponsors: Representatives Senn, Clibborn, Walsh and Ormsby.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/06/15, 97-1.

Committee Activity: Commerce & Labor: 3/25/15.

Staff: Richard Rodger (786-7461)

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 federal Davis-Bacon Act, 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.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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