House panel advances bill to align dual-credit programs with licensed construction trades

House Bill 54, which would allow classroom dual-credit and supervised project-based learning to be recognized toward on-the-job training requirements for licensed construction trades, advanced out of the Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations on a favorable vote.

Supporters said the bill aligns education and workforce pathways and helps fill shortages in high-demand construction trades. Brian Miller, executive vice president of the Building Industry Association of Northern Kentucky and president of the Enzweiler Building Institute, told the committee the measure links classroom instruction with hands-on experience and complements last year’s Senate Bill 164, which addressed the education component for dual-credit students.

Sponsors and witnesses said the bill would not eliminate the on-the-job training requirement. Representative Deanna Bridal, who yielded to Miller for technical explanation, emphasized the measure is intended to align—rather than replace—the practical hours students must complete to qualify for licensure. Brian Miller said the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction would still oversee hour equivalencies under existing regulations.

Several members pressed for more stakeholder engagement. Representative Gentry and others said union representatives, particularly independent electricians and members of the IBEW, had raised concerns about possible misuse of internships—interns being asked to perform non‑training tasks such as answering phones or getting coffee. Sponsors said they were open to clarifying language or listing acceptable work tasks to reduce the risk of abuse. Representative Donworth and others asked whether the bill’s list of trades might extend to future licensure categories; sponsors said the bill mirrors language used in Senate Bill 164 and applies to the trades currently set by the department.

Lawmakers also asked about regulatory detail. Representative Meredith and Representative Flannery said the measure leaves some implementation steps to agency rulemaking and asked whether staff from the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction were present; sponsors replied they were not, and said the bill is intended to use existing equivalency rules rather than create an entirely new regulatory scheme. Several members said they would support further meetings with building trades, unions and the department before the bill goes to the House floor.

The committee recorded a favorable recommendation. Representative Pfister moved the bill; a second was received. The recorded vote showed 17 yes, several members recorded “pass” or requested to explain their votes; the committee chair said the bill will be scheduled for the House floor.

The bill’s supporters described it as a workforce-development measure to give students earlier access to licensure pathways; critics urged additional safeguards and consultations with unions and licensing staff before final passage.