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HB1221 • 2026

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
LEE, M., SAYAMA
Last action
2025-12-08
Official status
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text only mention requiring bidders and subcontractors to utilize apprentices if they receive a bidding advantage, but do not specify additional penalties or enforcement details beyond the sanctions mentioned in subsection (c).

Rules for Using Apprentices in Public Works Projects

This bill requires contractors who win public works construction contracts to use apprentices if they received a bidding advantage by being part of an approved apprenticeship program.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires bidders and their subcontractors to utilize apprentices if the bidder receives a bidding advantage for being a party to an apprenticeship agreement registered with the State at the time of general bidding and is awarded the contract.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Contractors and subcontractors bidding on public works construction projects in Hawaii.
  • Governmental bodies that award public works contracts.

Terms To Know

Apprenticeship agreement
A formal contract between a contractor and the state to train apprentices in specific trades.
Public works construction contracts
Contracts for building or repairing public buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if a contractor cannot find enough apprentices to complete the work.
  • It is unclear how this law will be enforced and monitored by government bodies.
  • This act takes effect on July 1, 3000, which seems like an error in the official text.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: This amendment requires contractors and subcontractors bidding on public works projects over $250,000 to use apprentices from state-registered programs if they want a bid preference.

  • Adds a five percent bid preference for bidders who are parties to registered apprenticeship agreements for all apprenticeable trades used in the project.
  • Requires bidders and their subcontractors to provide written proof of participation in registered apprenticeship agreements at the time of bidding and throughout the contract period.
  • Imposes sanctions on contractors if they fail to maintain their status as a party to registered apprenticeship agreements during the construction.
  • The amendment text specifies an effective date of July 1, 3000, which seems incorrect and likely needs correction in future versions.
  • Details on specific sanctions and enforcement mechanisms are not fully explained.

Bill History

  1. 2025-12-08 D

    Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

  2. 2025-02-14 H

    Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Matayoshi, Poepoe, Ward excused (4).

  3. 2025-02-14 H

    Reported from LAB (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 656) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

  4. 2025-02-13 H

    The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Lee, M., Garrett, Kong; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Kapela, Reyes Oda.

  5. 2025-02-10 H

    Bill scheduled to be heard by LAB on Thursday, 02-13-25 9:00AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  6. 2025-01-27 H

    Referred to LAB, FIN, referral sheet 4

  7. 2025-01-23 H

    Introduced and Pass First Reading.

  8. 2025-01-22 H

    Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.
Procurement; Public Works Contracts; Apprenticeship
Requires a bidder and their subcontractors for certain public works construction contracts to utilize apprentices if the bidder receives a bidding advantage for being a party to an apprenticeship agreement registered with the State at the time of general bidding and is awarded the contract. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
HB1221

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1221

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to procurement
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that a
well-trained workforce is essential for Hawaii's economic growth and the
successful construction of public buildings, infrastructure, and other
development projects and that apprenticeship programs help individuals gain
their best knowledge of a particular trade, especially if those individuals can
take the knowledge they learn and apply their knowledge and skills in public
works construction.

����
Although
some bidders for public works projects may have an apprenticeship agreement in
place during the bidding process and therefore benefit from the advantage
conferred under section 103-55.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, upon bidders who
have apprenticeship agreements in place, upon the awarding of a contract, some
bidders may then use subcontractors or non-apprentices to actually perform the
contracted work.
�
The legislature further
finds that requiring bidders for public works construction who take advantage
of the bidding incentive under existing law to actually use apprentices for the
contracted work is not only fairer but also ensures that quality workers will help
maintain a supply of skilled labor, support workforce development, and enhance
the outcomes of public works construction.

����
The
purpose of this Act is to require a bidder for certain public works
construction contracts to use apprentices if the bidder is a party to an
apprenticeship agreement registered with the State at the time of general
bidding and is awarded the contract.

����
SECTION
2
.
�
Section 103-55.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended as follows:

����
1.
�
By amending subsection (a) to read:

����
"(a)
�
A
governmental body, as defined in section 103D-104, that enters into a public
works contract under this chapter having an estimated value of not less than
$250,000,
shall decrease the bid amount of a bidder by
five per cent if the bidder is a party to an apprenticeship agreement
registered with the department of labor and industrial relations for each
apprenticeable trade the bidder will employ
and utilize
to construct the
public works
, and in conformance with chapter 372[
.
]
; provided
that the bidder shall employ apprentices pursuant to the apprenticeship
agreement for the public works contract if the bidder is awarded the contract.
�
The lowest total bid, taking the preference
into consideration, shall be awarded the contract unless the solicitation
provides for additional award criteria.
�

The contract amount awarded, however, shall be the amount of the price
offered, exclusive of the preference."

����
2.
�

By amending subsection (c) to read:

����
"
(c)
�
At the time of submission of a competitive
sealed bid or a competitive sealed proposal by a bidder, the bidder shall
furnish written proof of being a party to a registered apprenticeship agreement
for each apprenticeable trade the bidder will employ
and utilize
to
construct the public works and, if awarded the contract, shall continue to
certify monthly in writing that the bidder is a party to a registered
apprenticeship agreement for each apprenticeable trade the bidder will employ to
construct the public works
and is utilizing the registered apprenticeship
agreement to employ apprentices
for the entire duration of the bidder's
work on the project.
�
This subsection
shall be deemed to be incorporated into a public works contract.
�
A bidder who is awarded a contract shall be
subject to the following sanctions if, after commencement of work, the bidder
at any time during the construction is no longer a party to a registered
apprenticeship agreement for each apprenticeable trade the bidder will employ
to construct the public works[
:
]
or no longer employs apprentices through
the registered apprenticeship agreement to construct the public works:

����
(1)
�
Temporary or
permanent cessation of work on the project, without recourse to breach of
contract claims by the bidder; provided that the governmental body shall be
entitled to restitution for nonperformance or liquidated damages, as
appropriate; or

����
(2)
�
Proceedings to
debar or suspend under section 103D-702."

����
SECTION
3.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Procurement;
Public Works Contracts; Apprenticeship

Description:

Requires
a bidder for certain public works construction contracts to utilize apprentices
if the bidder receives a bidding advantage for being a party to an
apprenticeship agreement registered with the State at the time of general
bidding and is awarded the contract.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.