Bill > SB173

This bill requires that public construction projects with a contract value of $2,500,000 or more must use apprentice labor for at least 15% of total work hours across 23 specific occupations, such as electricians, carpenters, and plumbers. Additionally, the bill mandates that, to the extent practicable, at least 20% of these apprentices should be veterans. The bill requires state departments to collect and report detailed information about apprentice labor usage, including the number of apprentice hours, veteran apprentice hires, and project specifics. Each year, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development must submit a report to the legislature detailing the percentage of apprentice labor hours and veteran apprentice hires for construction projects from the previous year. The bill defines key terms such as "apprentice" (an individual enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program), "construction" (building, repairing, or improving public infrastructure), and "veteran" (individuals who served in U.S. armed forces or specific Alaska military units and were not dishonorably discharged). The bill includes a provision that these requirements do not apply if they would cause the state to lose federal funding.

Business and Industry

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=SB173