Apprenticeship utilization expansion bill scaled back, loses subcontracts provision

This year’s apprenticeship utilization expansion bill has changed shape once again during its House floor hearing last week. HB 1050, from Rep. Marcus Ricelli (D–Spokane), was amended to remove the requirement that subcontracts with an initial price of $350,000 or more require that at least 15% of the labor hours be performed by apprentices.

The bill will still require contractors hired for municipal public works projects costing $1,000,000 or more to have at least 15% of the labor hours performed by apprentices. The provision that no contractor or subcontractor is accountable for the failure of any other contractor or subcontractor to comply with the apprenticeship utilization requirements also remains.

AWC previously wrote about the bill as introduced and the amended version.

HB 1050 as amended passed off the House floor and is en route to the Senate.