SB 5248 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB)

Finds that there is a pressing need for additional transportation projects to meet the mobility needs of Washington's citizens. With major new investments approved to meet these pressing needs, additional workforce assistance is necessary to ensure and enhance project delivery timelines.

Finds that recruiting and retaining a high quality workforce, and implementing new and innovative procedures for delivering these transportation projects, is required to accomplish them on a timely basis that best serves the public.

Declares an intent that no state employees will lose their employment as a result of implementing new and innovative project delivery procedures.

Declares that nothing contained in chapter 41.06 RCW prohibits the department of transportation from purchasing construction services or construction engineering services by contract from qualified private businesses.

Finds that a skilled technical workforce is necessary for maintaining, preserving, and improving Washington's transportation system.

Declares an intent that the state prevailing wage process operate efficiently, that the process allow contractors and workers to be paid promptly, and that new technologies and innovative outreach methods be used to enhance wage surveys in order to better reflect current wages in counties across the state.

Directs the apprenticeship council to work with the department of transportation, local transportation jurisdictions, local and statewide joint apprenticeships, other apprenticeship programs, representatives of labor and business organizations with interest and expertise in the transportation workforce, and representatives of the state's universities and community and vocational colleges to establish technical apprenticeship opportunities specific to the needs of transportation. The council shall issue a report of findings and recommendations to the transportation committees of the legislature by December 1, 2003.

Appropriates the sum of one million nine hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, from the public works administration account to the department of labor and industries for the biennium ending June 30, 2005, to carry out the purposes of this act.