SB1513 - Apprenticeship Utilization Act

• Requires that projects covered under the Prevailing Wage Act with estimated costs exceeding $250,000 must have at least 15% of labor hours in each trade performed by registered apprentices in that trade.

• Prohibits dividing a single project into multiple projects to avoid apprenticeship requirements and applies requirements across all contractors and subcontractors working within the same trade.

• Allows awarding agencies to adjust requirements for specific projects due to demonstrated lack of available apprentices in geographic areas or disproportionately high material-to-labor cost ratios.

• Imposes criminal penalties of Class A misdemeanor for willful violations by public body officers, contractors, subcontractors, or their agents, with the Department of Labor responsible for enforcement.

• Protects individuals and entities from discharge, demotion, harassment, or other adverse actions for seeking enforcement of the Act or participating in investigations and hearings.