AR SB425

Establishes the Arkansas State Apprenticeship Agency within the Office of Skills Development to serve as the state registration agency for apprenticeship programs and resolve disputes between apprenticeship agreement parties.

Creates the Arkansas Apprenticeship Council as an advisory council composed of 7 members appointed by the Governor representing employers, employees, and the public to advise the agency and provide community outreach on apprenticeship benefits.

Repeals Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 52, Subchapter 2 (Apprenticeship Training Programs) and replaces it with new provisions defining apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and establishing registration requirements aligned with federal regulations under 29 C.F.R. §§ 29 and 30.

Requires the Director of the Office of Skills Development to submit an application by December 31, 2023, to the U.S. Department of Labor to recognize Arkansas as a state apprenticeship agency.

Amends related construction industry craft training program statutes to align with the new apprenticeship agency structure and removes the $60 stipend authorization for the previous Arkansas Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee while adding stipend authorization for the new Arkansas Apprenticeship Council.