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Committee hears bill to bring Montana apprenticeship law into federal compliance
Summary
Montana Department of Labor and Industry officials told the Senate Business and Labor Committee that House Bill 7-21 updates state apprenticeship statute to conform with a recent federal audit, preserve the state approving agency (SAA) status and codify prior-learning credit and voluntary apprenticeship rules.
Representative Schumer opened the hearing on House Bill 7-21, describing it as “an apprenticeship bill.”
Sarah Swanson, commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, told the Senate Business and Labor Committee the legislation “does 4 things” to bring state law into conformity with a federal audit of Montana’s registered apprenticeship program.
The bill removes a provision that the federal Office of Apprenticeship flagged as nonconforming and clarifies how the state’s registered apprenticeship program operates under SAA — state approving agency — status. Swanson said SAA status, which Montana shares with 23 other states, lets the state approve customized apprenticeship programs without restarting federal approval each time.
Swanson also described three other changes the bill would make: adjust statutory language to reflect that Montana operates a single statewide workforce innovation board (rather than two separate local area boards), clarify the required contents of apprenticeship agreements (including so-called trade schedules), and codify a federal-consistent limit that prior learning credit may be granted up to 50% for incoming apprentices.
“This says that his apprenticeship in Montana can honor up to 50% of the qualifications that he’s earned in that service,” Swanson said, referring to military service members transitioning to civilian apprenticeships.
Swanson emphasized the bill also clarifies that apprenticeship is voluntary: “An apprenticeship is always voluntary. It’s not a golden handcuff.” She said preserving SAA status is “vital” for Montana’s flexibility in approving programs such as a dog‑training apprenticeship at a women’s prison.
Proponents from labor unions and trades groups voiced support. Jay Reardon of the Montana State Building and Construction Trades Council said the bill’s 50% prior‑learning cap was appropriate and urged passage. Dwayne Woke of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers also supported the measure.
No opponents signed up during the hearing. The committee took testimony, asked technical questions about program listings and public access to apprenticeship information, and was told the department is rolling out a public-facing portal for apprenticeship listings on May 2, 2025.
The hearing closed with committee members thanking the department and proponents for the cleanup and clarification this bill would bring.
