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Apprenticeship Utilization Act debate highlights funding, portability and waiver concerns
Summary
Delegate Melissa Wells' HB 1017 would require contractors on covered prevailing‑wage public projects to use apprentices for 20% of work hours; supporters said policy creates demand for apprentices, opponents warned it could defund Maryland apprenticeship programs or force out‑of‑state sourcing without clarifying language and safeguards.
Delegate Melissa Wells testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in support of House Bill 1017, the Apprenticeship Utilization Act, which would require contractors and subcontractors that employ four or more workers on covered prevailing‑wage public projects to ensure apprentices perform 20 percent of covered craft work hours.
Nut graf: The sponsor and supporters described the provision as a demand‑side complement to state investments in apprenticeship supply, saying the rule would expand opportunities and help fill workforce shortages. Opponents from construction associations warned the bill, as drafted, could interrupt funding for Maryland apprenticeship programs and leave contractors exposed to fines or False Claims Act liability if definitions and fund language are not corrected.
Scope and mechanism: Wells said…
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