Labor & Employment (Apprenticeships)

HB 3506 modifies workforce rules for public works projects over $150,000. It requires contractors to pay on-the-job training workers 50% of a journeyman's wage rate and limits entry-level workers plus apprentices to a 1:1 ratio with journeyman workers per job title. The bill also mandates that all qualifying projects include at least one federally registered apprentice performing work under the contract. These changes directly affect contractors bidding on public construction projects and aim to increase apprenticeship opportunities while standardizing wage structures.

SB 1611, titled the "Missouri Urban and Local Food Systems Apprenticeship Act," proposes to establish a state-supported apprenticeship program for careers in urban and local food systems, such as farming, food processing, and community-based food distribution. The bill, introduced on January 29, 2026, has not yet advanced beyond its first reading, so specific provisions, funding mechanisms, or eligibility criteria for participants are not detailed in the available information. This legislation would directly affect Missouri residents seeking training in food industry careers, though its exact scope and implementation remain undefined at this early stage.