SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5300

BYSenate Committee on Economic Development & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Lee, Smitherman, Murray, West, Anderson, Johnson, Williams, Rasmussen and McMullen; by request of Department of Labor and Industries)

Updating references to women and minorities in apprenticeship programs statute.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 18, 1989; February 1, 1989; January 16, 1990; January 25, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5300 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; McMullen, Murray, Smitherman, Warnke, Williams.

Senate Staff:Forrest Bathurst (786-7429)

                  March 3, 1990

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 5, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In the statutes providing for joint apprenticeship programs and vocational education, there are several affirmative action provisions designed to increase the participation of "minority races."  This term is currently defined as "Blacks, Mexican-Americans or Spanish Americans, Orientals and Indians or Filipinos."

The primary standard is that any program under Chapter 49.04 RCW include members of minority races in a ratio equal to that found in the general population.  Noncompliance could result in a withdrawal of state funds from the program or facilities unless a genuine effort to comply has been made.

Community colleges, vocational schools and high schools must make every effort to enlist minority race representation in apprenticeship programs they conduct.

Employer and employee groups, the Apprenticeship Council and local and state apprenticeship committees (established elsewhere in the chapter) must make every effort to enlist minority race representation, with aid from the Department of Labor and Industries.

SUMMARY:

All references to "minority races" in the affirmative action provisions in the chapter on apprenticeship described above are changed to "women and racial minorities."

The primary standard under Chapter 49.04 RCW is changed to include women and minority races in a ratio not less than the percentage of the minority race and female (minority and nonminority) labor force in the program sponsor's labor market area.

The definition of "minority race" is changed to African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Filipinos, and all other racial minority groups.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Pat Thibaudeau, Washington Women United; Brian Garvey, Mechanical Contractors Association (con); Duke Schaub, Associated General Contractors of Washington (con); Chuck Bailey, Washington State Labor Council (con)

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

The reference to "native Americans" has been changed to "American Indians."