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HB 1017

Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Melissa Wells

Maryland bill requires public works contractors to employ apprentices at specified rates, expanding skilled-trade training opportunities through government construction spending mandates.

Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 1017

Legislative bill overview

HB 1017 requires contractors on public works projects in Maryland to employ apprentices at specified percentages of their workforce. The bill aims to expand access to apprenticeship opportunities by leveraging public construction spending as a mechanism to increase registered apprentice participation in the skilled trades.

Why is this important

Public works projects represent significant government spending, making them a powerful lever to shape workforce development. By mandating apprenticeship utilization, the bill could create pathways into well-paying skilled trades while potentially addressing labor shortages in construction. However, the approach directly affects project bidding, labor costs, and contractor operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost impacts: Requirements to hire apprentices may increase labor costs for contractors, potentially raising public project expenses and affecting competitive bidding
  • Implementation complexity: Defining appropriate apprenticeship percentages, enforcement mechanisms, and exemptions for projects where apprentice availability is limited requires careful calibration
  • Geographic equity: Rural or less-developed regions may have fewer available registered apprentices, creating disparate compliance burdens across the state
  • Union vs. non-union concerns: Different apprenticeship programs exist; clarification needed on which programs qualify and whether this advantages union or non-union pathways

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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