Apprenticeship utilization requirements see further changes in response to stakeholder input

Aiming to expand apprenticeship utilization requirements for bidders on public works projects, SB 5133 was introduced earlier this year by Sen. Karen Kaiser (D–Kent). AWC wrote about the bill here. A substitute bill has since been adopted to address some concerns raised by stakeholders.

As originally drafted, the bill stated that contractors who failed to meet apprenticeship utilization requirements would be prohibited from bidding on any public works contract for one year. The bill has been updated to allow a “two-strike” system, providing such contractors a warning of noncompliance before being barred from bidding on a project for one year.

Additionally, SB 5133 was updated so that training agent requirements would apply only to apprenticeship utilization projects. Finally, language was also added to ensure good actors are not required to retake prevailing wage training.

The bill now heads to the Senate Ways and Means committee.

AWC will continue to work with proponents and other stakeholders to address our concerns.