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

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.