This bill establishes requirements for building and construction contractors to utilize a skilled and trained workforce when performing work at certain hazardous facilities, which include pulp mills, paper mills, and power plants. It introduces a new chapter to Title 49 RCW, defining key terms such as "applicable occupation," "registered apprentice," and "skilled and trained workforce." The bill mandates that contractors and subcontractors must employ a workforce composed of registered apprentices or skilled journeypersons, with specific percentages of skilled journeypersons required to be graduates of approved apprenticeship programs by set deadlines (30% by January 1, 2027, and 60% by January 1, 2028). Additionally, all skilled journeypersons and registered apprentices must complete at least 20 hours of approved advanced safety training within the previous three years by January 1, 2028.

The bill outlines compliance measures, stating that failure to adhere to the skilled and trained workforce requirements constitutes a violation of existing labor laws. It also clarifies that the wage rate for skilled journeypersons must align with prevailing rates, and it allows the Department of Labor and Industries to adopt necessary rules for implementation. The provisions of this act will apply to contracts awarded on or after January 1, 2027, and it will take effect on the same date.