What's happening
This bill requires the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to recognize state apprenticeship program graduates as qualified installers without requiring extra courses or certifications.
Why it matters
Expands workforce access. By recognizing state apprenticeship graduates as qualified installers without extra requirements, the bill makes it easier for trained workers to participate in NYSERDA projects, potentially increasing job opportunities and addressing labor shortages.
Reduces barriers for skilled tradespeople. Eliminating redundant courses or certifications for those already trained through state-approved programs streamlines the process for entering clean energy and related fields, saving time and money for workers and employers.
Aligns standards with Department of Labor definitions. The bill ensures that “qualified installer” status is tied specifically to the Department of Labor’s scope of work for each trade, providing clarity and consistency for both workers and project administrators.
Applies retroactively. By covering current NYSERDA solicitations where work hasn’t started, the bill could immediately impact pending projects, potentially accelerating the hiring process and project timelines.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Recognize Apprentices as Installers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
868
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 5, 2017
Introduced by Sens. RITCHIE, GALLIVAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to qualified installers under the state apprenticeship training program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 1884 to read as follows:
§ 1884. Qualified installers. 1. Notwithstanding any law, rule, regulation or policy to the contrary, with respect to any solicitation offered by the authority, any individual accredited through an apprenticeship program pursuant to article twenty-three of the labor law shall be deemed to be a qualified installer for any such solicitation that falls substantially within the trade or area for which such individual has completed an apprenticeship program pursuant to article twenty-three of the labor law.
2. The authority is prohibited from requiring additional courses or certifications for such qualified individuals, provided that the work that is being done falls substantially within the trade or area for which such individual has completed an apprenticeship program pursuant to article twenty-three of the labor law.
3. For the purposes of this section, the phrase "substantially within the trade or area" shall mean within the scope of work as defined by the department of labor for that trade or area pursuant to article eight of the labor law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall be applied retroactively to any solicitation of the New York state energy research and development authority where work has not already commenced.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06859-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to qualified installers under the state apprenticeship training program
Purpose
To permit qualified individuals that have completed an apprenticeship program under article 23 of the labor law to participate in certain New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) program solicitations without having to obtain additional courses or certifications.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the public authorities law by adding a new section 1884 providing participation in NYSERDA program solicitations to those individuals who have completed an apprenticeship program and deemed a qualified installer under article 23 of the labor law.
Section 2 of the bill is the effective date.
Justification
Individuals who complete apprenticeship programs that are certified by the Department of Labor, have received the best and most comprehensive training available, and yet the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) does not designate these well-trained individuals as "qualified installers" for the purposes of its Program Opportunity Notices (PON) and other solicitations. Plumbers, steamfitters, electricians and other tradesmen who have been through the rigorous training of an apprenticeship program are clearly qualified to work on the projects envisioned under the various NYSERDA programs, and yet the Authority continues to require these individuals to take additional training courses. This obstacle is unnecessary and prevents individuals who are otherwise highly qualified from working on NYSERDA projects. This bill seeks to remove that artificial barrier.
Legislative history
2015-2016: S3111 2013-2014: S.4004-A
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall be applied retroactively to any solicitation of the New York state energy research and development authority where such work has not already commenced.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.