CT SB00353

Establishes a 10-member working group to discuss and study hiring ratios for apprentices, journeymen, and contractors, with equal representation from union and nonunion trade groups in electrical, plumbing, heating, piping, cooling, sprinkler fitting, and sheet metal work.

Working group shall meet at least three times annually and submit annual reports to the joint standing committee having cognizance of consumer protection matters, with first report due December 1, 2017.

Members appointed by legislative leaders within 30 days of the act's effective date, with two union members each appointed by House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tempore, and remaining seats split between union and nonunion representatives appointed by House and Senate majority and minority leaders.

Working group shall elect two co-chairs, one union member and one nonunion member, who will schedule meetings with administrative support from the consumer protection committee staff.

Amends regulations to revise apprentice-to-journeyman/contractor hiring ratios across specified trades, reducing maximum ratios (for example, from 5:1 to 3:1 for 3 apprentices, and from 26:1 to 24:1 for 10 apprentices), with a baseline 3:1 ratio for additional apprentices beyond 10.