HB 864 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act)

HB 864 (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act) requires contractors and subcontractors on Maryland public works projects to employ a minimum percentage of qualified apprentices or journeyworkers instead of paying fees to apprenticeship programs. The bill expands this requirement to cover construction projects for the University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College. It repeals current provisions allowing contractors to pay fees in lieu of hiring apprentices and directs the Secretary of Labor to set an annual apprenticeship hiring percentage for each project. This policy change directly affects contractors bidding on public construction projects valued above specific thresholds, aiming to increase on-the-job training opportunities in skilled trades.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act) → Enrolled - Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act) · 3 edits · May 12, 2026

MINOR

The bill has been finalized and enrolled, moving from a draft state to an official version ready for the Governor's signature. The most significant substantive change is the expansion of the apprenticeship requirements to include Baltimore City Community College, whereas the original draft only applied to the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, and St. Mary's College of Maryland. A minor wording adjustment was made to clarify that contractors must employ 'qualified qualifying new apprentices' rather than just 'qualified apprentices.'

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include Baltimore City Community College, extending the apprenticeship mandate to this institution in addition to the previously listed universities.

SCOPE

Baltimore City Community College is now explicitly included in the list of institutions subject to the new apprenticeship requirements for public works contracts.

REQUIREMENT

The definition of required workforce was slightly clarified to specify 'qualified qualifying new apprentices or journeyworkers' instead of just 'qualified apprentices or journeyworkers.'

TECHNICAL

The document has been updated from a House Bill draft to an Enrolled Bill, adding standard proofreader and sealing lines required for final legislative approval.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 22, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 28, 2026

How they voted

43–0

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 49

Mar 22, 2026

D Democratic36

31 Yea 5

86% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 410

executive

Apr 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Enrolled

lower

Apr 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 11, 2026

Introduced

House Concurs Senate Amendments

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

upper

Mar 28, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (123-8-11)

house of delegates

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Budget and Taxation

upper

Mar 22, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (43-0-6)

senate

Mar 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

19 primary · 0 co-sponsors