ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE RATIO                                                            H.B. 4813 (H-4):

                                                                               SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

House Bill 4813 (Substitute H-4 as passed by the House)

Sponsor:  Representative Amanda Price

House Committee:  Workforce and Talent Development

Senate Committee:  Michigan Competitiveness

Date Completed:  2-23-16

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Electrical Administrative Act to require a ratio of one electrical journeyman or master electrician to not more than three registered apprentice electricians, instead of one-to-one (or one-to-two for a residential building). The bill also would revise the requirement for approval of an apprenticeship training program.

The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Apprentice Ratio

The Act specifies that the ratio of electrical journeymen or master electricians to registered apprentice electricians must be on the basis of one journeyman or master electrician to one registered apprentice. In the case of a residential single-family dwelling or a multifamily dwelling with not more than eight units, the ratio is one electrical journeyman or master electrician to two registered apprentices.

The bill, instead, would require the ratio of electrical journeymen or master electricians to registered apprentice electricians to be on the basis of one journeyman or master electrician to not more than three registered electricians.

As currently required, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) or an enforcing agency would have to enforce the ratio on a jobsite basis. (The Act defines "jobsite" as the immediate work area within the property lines of a single construction project, alteration project, or maintenance project where electrical construction or alteration of electrical wiring is in progress.)

Training Program Approval

The Act requires LARA to issue a certificate of registration to an individual if the Department receives satisfactory proof of the individual's participation in a bona fide apprenticeship training program approved by the Electrical Administrative Board. The bill would delete a requirement that the program be equivalent to the requirements of those imposed by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, subject to the Act's ratio requirement. The bill, instead, would require the Board to approve any bona fide apprenticeship training program that was equivalent to or exceeded the requirements of those imposed by the Office of Apprenticeship in the U.S. Department of Labor.

MCL 338.883e                                                            Legislative Analyst:  Suzanne Lowe

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

                                                                                        Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.