The Capital Budget Committee on Feb. 25 heard testimony on substitute House Bill 15 49, which would change responsible bidder criteria for public works projects and require contractors awarded covered contracts to file apprentice utilization plans before receiving a notice to proceed.

Staff briefed members that the bill “primarily does 3 things,” including amending responsible bidder criteria to require training on public works and prevailing wage, directing the Department of Labor and Industries to publish available bidder compliance information, and requiring apprentice utilization plans for awarded contracts subject to apprenticeship-utilization requirements, staff member Ben McCarthy said.

The measure would require contractors on certain public-works projects to ensure at least 15% of labor hours are performed by apprentices enrolled in approved apprenticeship programs. “This bill requires all bidders who are awarded contracts subject to apprentice utilization requirements to submit an apprentice utilization plan before receiving notice to proceed,” McCarthy said.

Sponsor Representative Mary Fosse said the bill is intended to “support workforce development and construction and increasing on the job training for apprentices.” She told the committee the measure increases contractor awareness of apprenticeship requirements and the resources available to connect contractors with apprenticeship programs.

Labor and construction groups testified in support. Chris Ellis of Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers Local 1 said apprenticeships are a proven pathway into skilled trades: “Apprenticeships work, but only if there are jobs available for them to learn and hone their skills on the job.” Erin Frazier of the Washington State Building Construction Trades Council called the bill “priority legislation for our workers” and said the public posting of responsible bidder status would reduce administrative burden for awarding agencies while helping apprenticeship programs connect with contractors.

Contractors asked for clarification on implementation. Michael Tranzen of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Washington said his group supports the intent but wants to work with proponents and the department to clarify how the exemption for bidders that met apprenticeship requirements on their last public-works project will be tracked and verified.

Staff noted a fiscal note on the substitute indicating non-zero but indeterminate capital budget impacts for institutions of higher education and state parks, and said compliance costs would initially fall to bidders and could be passed to institutions or awarding agencies through higher project bids.

The committee closed the public hearing after receiving both in-person and remote testimony and moved on to other bills on the agenda.