SB 964 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

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

SB 964 requires contractors and subcontractors working on Maryland public works projects to employ a specific percentage of qualified apprentices or experienced workers, replacing previous options to pay apprenticeship programs instead of hiring. It applies to all state-funded construction projects and newly includes the University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College. The Secretary of Labor must set an annual apprenticeship percentage target for projects, with limited waivers allowed for specific circumstances. The bill amends existing procurement laws to enforce these hiring requirements as a core part of public works contracting.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 13, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act) → Third - Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was re-referred to the Budget and Taxation committee and adopted by the Senate, moving it closer to becoming law. The text of the bill was updated to include additional legal sections (17-602, 17-605, and 17-607) that were previously omitted. A minor wording change was made to the bill's purpose to specify 'qualifying new apprentices,' ensuring clarity on who must be hired under new apprenticeship rules for public works contracts.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include the repeal and reenactment of three additional sections of the State Finance and Procurement Article (17-602, 17-605, and 17-607) that were not listed in the earlier version.

REQUIREMENT

Added references to Sections 17-602, 17-605, and 17-607 to the list of laws being repealed and reenacted, expanding the bill's regulatory reach.

Changed the description of the bill's purpose to require 'qualifying new apprentices,' clarifying that the mandate applies to new hires rather than existing workers.

TIMELINE

Added a record indicating the bill was re-referred to the Budget and Taxation committee on March 23, 2026, and adopted by the Senate on March 24, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2026 · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

How they voted

47–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 49

Mar 25, 2026

D Democratic36

35 Yea 1

97% 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

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 409

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion Special Order until Later This Session (Delegate Adams) Adopted

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Committee

Referred Rules and Executive Nominations

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Budget and Taxation

upper

Apr 2, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (125-11-6)

house of delegates

Mar 25, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (47-0-2)

senate

Feb 13, 2026

Committee

First Reading Senate Rules

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors