1999

 

 

 

HOUSE BILL 99-1312

 

BY REPRESENTATIVES McElhany, Allen, Berry, Clapp, Dean, Decker, Fairbank, Hefley, Kaufman, Kester, King, Larson, Lawrence, Lee, May, McKay, McPherson, Mitchell, Nunez, Paschall, Pfiffner, Sinclair, Smith, Spence, Spradley, Stengel, Sullivant, Swenson, Taylor, Tool, Webster, T. Williams, Witwer, and Young;

also SENATORS Owen, Anderson, Andrews, Arnold, Blickensderfer, Congrove, Epps, Grampsas, Hillman, Lacy, Lamborn, Musgrave, Tebedo, Teck, and Powers.

Concerning the apprentice ratio for electricians.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

 

SECTION 1.  Legislative declaration. The general assembly finds that the construction industry has grown substantially in Colorado and that finding qualified electricians to meet the increased demand has become difficult. The shortage of electricians results from not enough apprentice electricians being trained to meet the increased demand from the construction industry and from a reduction in the number of electricians because of retirement. The general assembly also finds that "school to career" programs as defined in 20 U.S.C. 6101 and "welfare to work" programs as defined in 29 U.S.C. 1501, as well as other public and private educational programs, would be better served by allowing more individuals interested in being electricians to be trained more promptly. The general assembly also finds that no other Colorado profession maintains as stringent apprentice ratios as the electrician profession. The limitation of one apprentice to one licensed electrician has become unduly burdensome and fails to meet the needs of industries relying on electricians and of the profession itself. Therefore, the general assembly declares it to be in the best interest of the public and the state's economy to increase the ratio of apprentice electricians to licensed electricians.

SECTION 2.  12-23-110.5 (1), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

12-23-110.5.  Apprentices - supervision - registration - discipline. (1)  Any person may work as an apprentice but shall not do any electrical wiring for the installation of electrical apparatus or equipment for light, heat, or power except under the supervision of a licensed electrician. The degree of supervision required shall be no more than one licensed electrician to supervise no more than one apprentice three apprentices at the jobsite.

SECTION 3.  No appropriation. The general assembly has determined that this act can be implemented within existing appropriations, and therefore no separate appropriation of state moneys is necessary to carry out the purposes of this act.

SECTION 4.  Effective date. This act shall take effect October 15, 1999, unless a referendum petition is filed during the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly that is allowed for submitting a referendum petition pursuant to article V, section 1 (3) of the state constitution. If such a referendum petition is filed against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part, if approved by the people, shall take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by proclamation of the governor.

 

 

 

____________________________ ____________________________

Russell George Ray Powers

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PRESIDENT OF

OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE

 

 

 

 

 

____________________________ ____________________________

Judith M. Rodrigue Patricia K. Dicks

CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE SECRETARY OF

OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE

 

 

 

APPROVED________________________________________

 

 

 

 

_________________________________________

Bill Owens

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO