H-0541.2
HOUSE BILL 1737
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Schmidt, Paul, Timmons, Griffey, Klicker, Volz, Low, Rule, Shavers, Kloba, Reed, Zahn, Nance, and Pollet
Read first time 01/30/25. Referred to Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards.
AN ACT Relating to affording federally approved apprenticeship programs operated by tribal governments the same rights and responsibilities as other apprenticeship programs in the skilled and trained workforce standards for high hazard facilities; amending RCW 49.80.010 , 49.80.020 , and 49.80.030 ; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes the sovereignty of federally recognized tribal governments and the essential role their apprenticeship programs play in the development of a skilled and trained workforce, particularly in rural and underrepresented communities. Tribal apprenticeship programs ensure tribal members have equitable access to employment and training opportunities in critical industries, including in the building and construction trades at petroleum refineries and in petrochemical manufacturing. The legislature intends for apprenticeship programs operated by federally recognized tribal governments to have the same rights and responsibilities as other approved programs that supply workers to these critical industries, so long as those programs have completed the federal approval process for apprenticeship programs.
Sec. 2. RCW 49.80.010 and 2019 c 306 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: