By: Manuel H.B. No. 4741       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the employment of apprentices on certain public works   projects.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 2252, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter H to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER H. EMPLOYMENT OF APPRENTICES ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS          Sec. 2252.301.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                (1)  "Contractor" means a person, firm, or corporation   contracting with a governmental entity for a public works project.                (2)  "Governmental entity" means:                      (A)  the state, a county, or a municipality;                      (B)  a department, board, or agency of the state,   a county, or a municipality;                      (C)  a school district or a subdivision of a   school district; or                      (D)  any other governmental or quasi-governmental   authority authorized by statute to enter into a public works   contract.                (3)  "Office" means the office or program of the Texas   Workforce Commission responsible for apprenticeship issues.                (4)  "Public works project" includes the construction,   alteration, or repair of a public building or the construction or   completion of a public work.          Sec. 2252.302.  EMPLOYMENT OF APPRENTICES. (a) In order to   promote employment opportunities for young people and to train a   skilled workforce in this state, a contractor who contracts with a   governmental entity for a public works project shall designate at   least five percent of the project hours in any apprenticeable   trade, as certified by the Office of Apprenticeship of the United   States Department of Labor, to be worked by apprentices in a program   registered with that office.          (b)  A contract for a public works project must include a   requirement that at least five percent of the project hours in any   apprenticeable trade, as certified by the Office of Apprenticeship   of the United States Department of Labor, be designated to be worked   by apprentices, unless a waiver has been obtained from the office.          (c)  If the office determines that an insufficient number of   registered apprentices is available for a public works project, the   office shall:                (1)  certify the number of registered apprentices who   are available for the project; and                (2)  issue a waiver for the remaining number of jobs   that would otherwise be reserved for registered apprentices in   order for the contractor to meet the requirements under this   section.          Sec. 2252.303.  EXEMPTIONS. This subchapter does not apply   to:                (1)  a public works contract in which the total   contract price estimate at the time of the contract's execution is   less than $400,000; or                (2)  a public works contract entered into by the Texas   Department of Transportation.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter H, Chapter 2252, Government Code, as   added by this Act, applies only to a contract executed on or after   the effective date of this Act.  A contract executed before the   effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the   date the contract was executed, and the former law is continued in   effect for that purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.