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Committee approves bill that gives preference to contractors with registered apprenticeships in state bids
Summary
The House Governmental Affairs Committee passed House Bill 613, which gives preference in state construction procurement to contractors using registered apprenticeship programs but does not bar non‑registered contractors from bidding.
The House Governmental Affairs Committee on May 23 approved House Bill 613, which would give preference to contractors that employ registered apprenticeship programs when state construction contracts are evaluated, while continuing to allow contractors without such programs to bid.
Supporters said the measure aims to address shortages in skilled trades and to protect past state investments in apprenticeship programs. The bill was described as a follow‑up to earlier legislation that authorized funding to the technical college system to create registered apprenticeships.
The bill’s text does not mandate apprenticeship programs or prevent non‑registered contractors from bidding. Instead, it allows contracting authorities to give preference in bid evaluations to contractors that participate in registered apprenticeship programs "to protect our investment," according to the bill presentation. The committee moved the bill forward by voice vote; members indicated support and the motion carried.
No amendments or roll‑call tallies were recorded in the committee minutes; the motion passed on an audible vote. The committee did not set additional conditions or changes to the bill during the hearing.
