[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6355050,"mediaKeyId","2219285-012fbc6c93216da7b706092bd7c988fd","parentId",2219285,"title","Committee considers bill to let specialty electricians continue specialty work while enrolled in journey-level apprenticeships","audioSeconds",982,"startMs",5047000,"endMs",6029000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219285-012fbc6c93216da7b706092bd7c988fd&start=5047&end=6029","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219285-012fbc6c93216da7b706092bd7c988fd/thumbnail_5047000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6355050/Washington/Committee-considers-bill-to-let-specialty-electricians-continue-specialty-work-while-enrolled-in-journey-level-apprenticeships","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355050-2c36cd650d2c78d52f790f6bc4cc5b83/orig.mp4?Expires=1774962763&Signature=V14-Q46n6~3bNGRiZqhzzayD6ONVk9z75QcHqPk571ukXWHMiD8W3L3bgk2DUp39yOZo9IeK5KcapdPXLSFksMBK8NeXmxAO2tvn9ef6oipHTh6okFvpL424ECXOZPYgFoKFrKBpRc0nENnQMohde04a3UOhlSOIGQmLtt7ZqiKwMgNTAwkXa3WNbou9JtBq-VEPx-ykh42-qBnTjB5iggNKHPF~5N9tjZXl9VFQn0xCM1~W3iUHEX0nl~GXb5LQ5ooOWEBjoHnaQ07QvNOrdPzx5ivu2Xp3kg-Th5ikHR55roRv0L5jYqUvBCJ7X26RhzMsDtRGT696mszADFGrWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Labor & Workplace Standards","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","Proposed substitute House Bill 15-33 addresses how specialty-certified electricians may continue to perform specialty work while enrolled in a journey-level apprenticeship program.

Staff explained the distinction between a journey-level electrician (full scope) and a specialty electrician (limited scope such as residential or HVAC). The substitute would allow a specialty electrician who enrolls in a journey-level apprenticeship to continue performing work under the specialty certificate while participating in the apprenticeship if certain attestation and reporting requirements are met. For single-employer apprenticeship committees, an employer would quarterly attest to L&I the hours worked under the specialty certificate distinct from apprenticeship hours; L&I must prohibit continued specialty work if it finds employers willfully or repeatedly submitted incorrect attestations.

Sponsor Ranking Member (Representative) stated the bill aims to avoid forcing apprentices to unenroll from training merely to perform specialty work for small, mixed-scope employers. \"What this bill will do is allow those small, employer, single employer programs to continue letting their employees work under their specialty electricians license while they are also attending an apprenticeship program to become a commercial electrician,\" the sponsor said.

Supporters from employer and trade groups said flexibility is needed for small and rural contractors. Hans Frederickson (Frederickson Electric) described mixed residential/commercial workloads in small counties and urged inclusion of apprentices in group apprenticeship programs, not only single-employer programs. Paul Briganti (Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington) urged an amendment to extend benefits to apprentices in group programs. Labor and journeyperson representatives said they support the intent but insisted on guardrails, enforcement of hour reporting, and limits to prevent indefinite apprenticeship extensions.

Several stakeholders asked for clarifying amendments. Representatives from the electrical contractors association said existing L&I guidance may already allow specialty work while enrolled in some cases and urged that the substitute address suspension/attestation mechanisms rather than create duplicate policy. The committee took testimony and left the substitute pending further negotiation to include group apprenticeship programs and to set enforceable hour limits and reporting safeguards.

No formal vote was taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Labor & Workplace Standards - 2/4/2025 10:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Proposed substitute House Bill 15-33 would let specialty electricians (for example, those certified for residential work) continue performing specialty work while enrolled in a journey-level apprenticeship if employers submit quarterly attestations and L&I enforces reporting and suspension rules.","taxTitle","Labor & Workplace Standards, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20266,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6355060,"Bill to raise penalties and strengthen oversight for child labor violations draws broad support from trades, mixed response from contractors",997,2071000,3068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219285-012fbc6c93216da7b706092bd7c988fd&start=2071&end=3068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219285-012fbc6c93216da7b706092bd7c988fd/thumbnail_2071000.jpg","/articles/6355060/Washington/Bill-to-raise-penalties-and-strengthen-oversight-for-child-labor-violations-draws-broad-support-from-trades-mixed-response-from-contractors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355060-e4bd05fca15cb817f9c3a53553ab0acc/orig.mp4?Expires=1774962763&Signature=BGD2q~RYEA79nFlG41~GWXQL8duSNH38xI-o3Ug1Rg6nXRqLp1gzdYFehFcqEWLzmCuOjZ3UrDOeOQLsKzwG6HG9x83QQBxYmM5s5MvpbTHYWO3AeiNWdGCYb2J3VFyPtoqp1ww5p8v9keRV0YwnSiG97nLLSwxhHSIBfzU8JlMOpwZg1xvP5i2NFYzTZRD5zUKWkb79a9GRC1uktrDE22y465Z1VnmuX1paZmGpJLP7c2T9nTiCJr96u1Dci6oY2NsqMdlZuvOa9X~IgjrgxypnVd~XKugbKcC3TJlQx5f2C7MX7NY~cw34~UcEqYZpFFkB65VTgex7IpfNWakIew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 16-44 would increase penalties and tighten oversight for the employment of minors in nonagricultural trades and occupations. The bill removes the current $1,000 flat maximum for many violations, sets minimum penalty amounts for different violation categories, increases civil penalties for ongoing serious or repeated violations, and requires revocation of a minor work permit in specified circumstances.

Staff told the committee the bill replaces the current maximum penalty framework with minimum assessments for certain violations, including: $100 for certain nonserious violations; $150 for failure to comply with hours-of-work requirements; $300 for failure to provide meal or rest breaks; $1,000 for failure to comply with prohibited-duty and other serious violations; and $71,000 for violations resulting in serious physical harm or death to a minor, with potential doubling for willful or repeated violations. The bill also raises the additional civil penalty for each day a serious or repeat violation continues to a minimum of $1,000 and requires L&I to conduct safety and health consultations at worksites before granting student-learner variances.

Sponsor Representative Vicki Fosse (D) said the measure responds to a rise in minor workplace injuries and aims to protect students participating in work-based learning as an extension of the classroom. \"These kids are also unfortunately more likely to be taken advantage of due to that lack of experience,\" she said, and added the bill is intended to deter bad actors while preserving legitimate educational programs.

Labor and construction-trades organizations testified in strong support. April Sims of the Washington State Labor Council said violations have left minors with \"permanent severe injuries\" and urged the committee to improve protections; building-trades unions emphasized that jobsite safety training and minimum penalties are needed to keep students safe.

Contractor and employer groups raised concerns about the bill's prescriptive requirements. Brandon Huskeeper of the Southwest Washington Contractors Association and Lindsey Heuer of the Association of Washington Businesses said the bill could remove helpful discretion from L&I and that detailed consultation requirements for every variance could be duplicative and create administrative barriers to youth employment programs. Huskeeper said the measure could have a “chilling effect on employers’ engagement with youth employment.”

Witnesses and staff acknowledged that the bill targets repeat or egregious violators while trying to preserve good programs; sponsor and stakeholders said they will continue to work on implementation details. The committee took testimony and left the bill pending further discussion; no formal vote occurred.","House Bill 16-44 would raise penalties for child-labor violations, expand permit-revocation authority for serious or repeated violations, and require L&I safety consultations before issuing student-learner variances.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6355065,"Committee hears bill to create wage-replacement program for workers excluded from unemployment insurance",329,279000,608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219285-012fbc6c93216da7b706092bd7c988fd&start=279&end=608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219285-012fbc6c93216da7b706092bd7c988fd/thumbnail_279000.jpg","/articles/6355065/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-create-wage-replacement-program-for-workers-excluded-from-unemployment-insurance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355065-f55b5379691f2478e1275d90c0acc184/orig.mp4?Expires=1774962763&Signature=LA0r7YwdpgeFDLPocgGkEMfKkK3tnitDQM5dOsNt5pSXX3kqEp3pcozbSBwnZiHPhX25Vg-7SnhIV-1tCkZU1XeGPtUFdHyAE2npuKQFN78yOqvg9ZgbuT5mRyAKJb4z2OyARvNQmP8lbDg1lBqM5tAjGus2XyxdJWy1Q7zAheXnu7yVbBgVZOHrlVJT5THVbvhPI1ZkHD15NhW0BxILaj2Cp5c99WBohE--vp7CrTpDILb~nKa3aTMoILrv79fYQ1S4Kx10vtqvcHSS85TyFu-0n9k7GruGL0b40Z0dQnXaR644pq0L~Oym-oZxn31OqHq3At-tuhl8Y308-GVcAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 17-73 would create a new wage-replacement program for workers who are currently excluded from regular unemployment insurance coverage. The bill directs the Employment Security Department (ESD) to select a third-party administrator to run the program, allows benefit applications beginning 01/01/2027, and requires claimants to show they worked at least 680 hours in the base year and meet other eligibility and residency criteria.

Staff explained that eligibility mirrors many unemployment insurance (UI) rules — for example, a claimant must demonstrate they were unemployed through no fault of their own, have worked 680 hours in the base year and complete a one-week waiting period. The staff briefing emphasized privacy and record limits: the bill would prohibit collecting certain demographic or immigration-status information for claimants, require destruction of verification records within 15 days after a claimant leaves the program, and make most program records confidential and exempt from the Public Records Act with specified exceptions.

Representative Julio Cortez (D), prime sponsor, framed the bill as extending a safety net to workers who have contributed payroll taxes but are barred from UI because of immigration status. \"All Washingtonians deserve, a safety net if they experience a job loss through no fault of their own,\" Cortez said. He told the committee the proposal would cover \"approximately or over 4,500 Washington families currently excluded from the unemployment system\" and use a diversion method to fund the program without new general-fund costs.

Labor and immigrant-advocacy groups, including April Sims of the Washington State Labor Council and Sasha Wasserstrom of the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, testified in support, arguing the program would use existing employer contributions and protect workers' privacy while providing benefits. Sims said, \"Undocumented workers keep our economy strong, contribute to our communities, and care for our families.\" Wasserstrom said the program \"does not incur new costs to the employer or the state\" and would be administered to maintain claimant privacy.

Business groups — including the Association of Washington Businesses and the Washington Food Industry Association — said they were neutral on the policy but opposed the bill's funding mechanism. Lindsay Huer (AWB) said the proposed shift \"will place increased pressure on ESD's existing revenue sources and push additional pressures for state UI increases in the future.\" Carolyn Logue (Washington Food Industry Association) said employers worry using UI-related funds in this way could blunt the experience-rating penalty employers face when they lay off covered workers.

ESD staff said the department had engaged with the U.S. Department of Labor on conformity and believes the funding mechanism could meet federal requirements. Josh Dye, interim government relations director for ESD, said the department \"believes it is, it would meet conformity requirements\" in discussions with USDOL.

The committee heard emotional personal testimony from workers who said they lacked access to UI during the COVID-19 pandemic. Irvin Enriquez described being undocumented for more than two decades and said the proposed program would provide critical support for families.

No vote was taken; the committee left the measure open for further consideration and stakeholder work on the funding language and implementation details.","House Bill 17-73 would establish a third‑party administered wage‑replacement program for workers ineligible for regular unemployment insurance, funded by a new surcharge on employer payroll taxes and other adjustments to UI-related employer contributions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6355069,"Committee hears bill to let 16- and 17-year-olds in CTE programs work the same weekly hours as college-track peers",1716,1899000,3615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219285-012fbc6c93216da7b706092bd7c988fd&start=1899&end=3615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219285-012fbc6c93216da7b706092bd7c988fd/thumbnail_1899000.jpg","/articles/6355069/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-let-16-and-17-year-olds-in-CTE-programs-work-the-same-weekly-hours-as-college-track-peers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355069-f900672bd8ba26a72556f2c74ebc1349/orig.mp4?Expires=1774962763&Signature=Vcg4tOtZlK-j8TasNptSjhy~DKTpzujBlKArfWql7GXcInkfcBR3lUxdSJDI3NJHj3gL~BmIZverNBG-cUt20zchlDANYA7EHxPNuE1u3JwcDxsE64Px4R8TO1SbygySS2Z9hF2D~2P1-lxBQwN6Evzu5cPuDwEg5GpM05qR1z7te1t2Bh7ppXr1DOzXpgYhN1N4Vt8vZJK5jIO2HsfSjSSeXA3aBQhh4peSCEvsyysM58PM2D5ru97EVR-R2j~Qrxr7e8MfdZ8W5rHz99FpgVhM2VfKFStXcR7GFW~i2DRuKNpTk72ZODNNBCx0LLlFA7EfhYDORpQn-ziBr3Y4Gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 11-21 would change work-hour rules for 16- and 17-year-olds enrolled in approved career and technical education (CTE) programs, allowing those students to work the same number and frequency of hours during a school week that are currently permitted for students in bona fide college programs.

The staff briefing said the bill ‘‘extends an additional exemption for a minor enrolled in a career and technical education program when that work is performed for an employer approved by the program’’ and ‘‘effectively codifies current L&I rules authorizing this for minors in bona fide college programs like Running Start,’’ according to Kelly Leonard, staff to the committee.

Sponsor Representative Stephanie McClintock (R), who represents the 18th Legislative District, told the committee she carries the bill to help students who gravitate to hands-on trades get paid work experience. \"I appreciate being able to present my bill today,\" McClintock said. She described CTE programs as a pathway that \"kept him plugged into school, kept him interested,\" speaking from personal experience about her son who completed a high-school welding program and later joined the Pipefitters Union.

Supporters from the construction and maritime training community told the committee the bill would improve equity between workforce pathways. Mike Ennis of the Building Industry Association of Washington said the change would \"put skilled trade careers on equal footing as college programs, allowing them to work the same hours weekly\" and help students graduate with both credits and job experience. Caitlin Keane of Northwest Maritime said allowing on-the-job experience in CTE programs \"is critical for a sustainable next-generation workforce.\" The Association of Washington Businesses and other industry groups also signaled support.

Opponents were not prominent at the hearing; questions focused on how existing permit and authorization processes work. Staff noted the underlying safeguards remain: employers must obtain a minor work permit, parental and school authorization are required, the program must be approved by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and L&I rules on time-of-day and prohibited duties continue to apply.

No formal action or vote was taken. Committee members deferred further action while continuing stakeholder discussions.

If advanced, the bill would alter which minors may work longer hours during weeks when they participate in approved CTE work-based learning for an employer approved by their program.","The Labor & Workplace Standards Committee heard testimony on House Bill 11-21, which would allow 16- and 17-year-old students enrolled in approved career and technical education programs to work the same number of weekly hours permitted to students in bona fide college programs or running start.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6355055,"Bill would require apprentice-utilization plans and public transparency for responsible bidders on public works",1251,3689000,4940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219285-012fbc6c93216da7b706092bd7c988fd&start=3689&end=4940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219285-012fbc6c93216da7b706092bd7c988fd/thumbnail_3689000.jpg","/articles/6355055/Washington/Bill-would-require-apprentice-utilization-plans-and-public-transparency-for-responsible-bidders-on-public-works","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355055-ad24973642bd85721a6d617993a82af6/orig.mp4?Expires=1774962763&Signature=clmysA6FON~UUVi6b3jYW5uT8d0OjwiqmxZuGAoMdTvkwHghHOmwXOYu9A0bQcgqq92X7Z7C19ZkGLhlEtLpJSrGanWT5v9zBeur1ofYBRAFz6H8rDLzJ35vBBkudPseVR4DL9Yvl7Hrqe0l5xiakJGJ4bWj9VrthcPQlAVo90DhGUkw8IdNwq0t1ZLdzPvct5CKEzmsp9CZm1CYMNc-9VZBGuOgJQdRQ8ZUVxq-iAW3G7HA9rJBdM8rFmOFsnNLQ7vks4dD9lRfX3XsaLQE6MiaKrQA6riVREG5U9rDQ6Dnr1pFA2AokCB0vij0TQ7um~sa0iWvHouvE0dbEekOgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 15-49 would revise responsible-bidder criteria for public works, require the Department of Labor & Industries to publish bidder training records and compliance information, and require all contractors awarded projects subject to apprentice-utilization requirements to submit an apprentice-utilization plan within 60 days of award.

Staff explained existing law and the proposed changes: currently bidders may qualify by completing three or more public works projects and holding a Washington business license for three or more years, or by designating an officer or employee who has received L&I-approved training on public works and prevailing wage. The bill narrows and clarifies those criteria and requires that training be recent (within three years) or that a bidder must have completed public works within the last three years without specified violations. L&I would maintain a public list of persons who have satisfied the training requirement.

The bill also expands transparency and planning for apprentice utilization. For projects subject to apprentice-utilization requirements (where a percentage of hours must be performed by apprentices), L&I would provide a template for apprentice-utilization plans; awarded bidders would submit a plan within 60 days of award; and L&I would publish completed plans on its website so training programs and contractors can coordinate.

Proponents from building trades and apprenticeships urged passage; Erin Frazier of the Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council said the bill \"attempts to solve some of the issues our affiliates are seeing with upholding existing apprentice utilization requirements\" and noted nearly 2,000 apprentices were out of work at the time of testimony. Chris Ellis (Bricklayers) described the proposal as a pragmatic step to connect contractors with apprenticeship programs and close the \"opportunity shortage.\" Jared Ross (South Sound Building & Construction Trades) urged enforcement of existing contractual apprentice requirements instead of waiving them.

Some contracting and owner representatives raised practical concerns about timing and estimates. Jerry Vanderwood (AGC) said an apprentice-utilization plan 60 days after award may rely on estimates of labor hours and may not account for subs or training-agent status that change as projects progress. Ports and county engineers said they are still implementing a 2023 law that requires apprenticeship utilization in some public contracts and asked for time to adapt; they said the bill language differs from the WSDOT process some agencies already use.

The committee took testimony and left the measure pending further stakeholder work to reconcile timing, template details and implementation across agencies; no formal vote occurred.","House Bill 15-49 would change responsible-bidder criteria, require L&I to publish training-compliance and bidder information, and require awarded bidders on projects subject to apprentice-utilization rules to submit a detailed apprentice-utilization plan within 60 days of award.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee considers bill to let specialty electricians continue specialty work while enrolled in journey-level apprenticeships

Bill to raise penalties and strengthen oversight for child labor violations draws broad support from trades, mixed response from contractors

Committee hears bill to create wage-replacement program for workers excluded from unemployment insurance

Committee hears bill to let 16- and 17-year-olds in CTE programs work the same weekly hours as college-track peers

Bill would require apprentice-utilization plans and public transparency for responsible bidders on public works