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ESB 5831: HVAC/R

After considerable effort put forward in the 2007 session and prior the certification of heating, ventilation and refrigerator mechanics appeared to be favorably placed for passage this session; however, over the course of the session, despite the countless meetings already held between Labor and business, business continued to vehemently resist elements of the legislation that Labor required. Ultimately the bill was reduced to task force status, but it is the intention of the Building Trades and the many lobbyists involved in the HVAC/R process to continue negotiations, participate in the task force and maintain involvement until certification is realized. ESB 5831 was modified to include the task force while in the Senate so the following votes were cast on the task force version of the bill: 47 yeas, 2 nays, 0 absent and 0 excused. The bill was then amended in the House to reinsert certification language passed the House

SB 6694: Prevailing Wage Compliance

The Department of Labor and Industries is responsible for establishing prevailing wage rates and ensuring that employers on public works projects pay prevailing wage. SB 6694 amends RCW 39.12.070 to increase the filing fee for prevailing wage intents and affidavits from $25 to $40 to, among other administrative needs, provide for 2 additional FTEs for compliance and outreach, and fund outreach, education, training and marketing expenses. SB 6694 was dropped by the house and the increased fee provisions were attached to EHB 3381. EHB 3381 passed from the House with 55 yeas, 39 nays, 0 absent and 4 excused.

SHB 2639: Allows Public Utility Districts to enter into Limited Liability Corporations

The issue of PUDs entering into LLCs first came to our attention during the White Creek wind project. The project had initially been planned to include prevailing wage language; however, during the planning process the PUD decided to enter into a LLC at which point they circumvented the use of prevailing wage rates. The Building Trades worked with PUD representatives during the session and supported SHB 2639 when prevailing wage language was included in the bill. The bill passed from the House with 92 yeas, 2 nays, 0 absent and 4 excused. The Senate passed the bill with 46 yeas, 2 nays, 0 absent and 1 excused. Upon concurrence the House passed the House 93 yeas, 0 nays, 0 absent and 5 excused.

SHB 2893: Adds a Labor representative position to the Forest Practices Board

The Forest Practices Board of Washington was created in order to integrate the laws, rules, and programs governing forest practices and hydraulic projects. The Governor will appoint a representative of the timber products union to the Forest Practices Board from a list of three names submitted by a timber labor coalition affiliated with a statewide labor organization representing a majority of the timber products unions in Washington. Labor has sought representation on the Forest Practices Board since its inception 34 years ago and shall now have an opportunity to assist in decisions related to the future of related hydraulic projects and the forest industry. SHB 2893 passed the House with 90 yeas, 4 nays, 0 absent and 4 excused. The bill passed the Senate with 48 yeas, 1 nay, 0 absent and 0 excused.

2SSB 6377: Regarding secondary career and technical education

The Building Trades have forged renewed partnerships with the career and technical education community through Governor Gregoire's efforts in Washington Learns and Running Start to the Trades to work closely with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, the State community College Board and within our role as members of the Washington State Apprenticeship & Training Council at Labor and Industries. 2SSB 6377 promotes skill centers and pre-apprenticeship training throughout public schools. Highlights of the bill follow:

Requires all approved preparatory career and technical education (CTE) programs to lead to industry certification or allow students to earn dual high school and college credit.
Directs development of model CTE Programs of Study, patterned after requirements in the new federal Carl Perkins Act.
Requires identification of and provides grants to high demand programs that prepare students for apprenticeships or degrees with substantial employment opportunities.
Allows skill centers to enter agreements to offer diplomas and to offer CTE courses to students who have graduated but need to complete industry certification.
Directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to conduct an ongoing campaign to increase awareness about rigorous CTE programs.
Directs the OSPI to support school districts in adopting CTE and academic course equivalencies, including providing grants to increase the academic rigor of CTE courses.
Creates a pilot grant to integrate instruction in CTE, academic, and English language and an In-Demand Scholars Program to attract students to careers that require one to three years of postsecondary education or apprenticeship.
Adds CTE to the list of priority endorsements for Future Teachers' Scholarships.

2SSB 6377 passed the Senate with 49 yeas, 0 nays, 0 absent and 0 excused. The bill passed the House with 93 yeas, 0 nays, 0 absent and 5 excused. Following an amendment made in the House 2SSB 6377 returned to the Senate for concurrence with the following result: 48 yeas, 0 nays, 0 absent, and 1 excused.

For a short session this report represents a substantial legislative effort and I would like to personally thank all of the Building Trades lobbyists as well as the WSLC and affiliate members who sent in E-mails, made phone calls to legislators, and came down to work on these bills. This could not be accomplished without all of your efforts.

David Johnson

Executive Secretary

WSBCTC AFL-CIO

Page Last Updated: Mar 28, 2008 (08:43:39)