Modifying the responsible bidder criteria for public works projects.

Changed the apprentice utilization plan from a mandatory submission for all projects to a requirement that can be waived by the contracting agency if the bidder met or exceeded goals on their previous project.

Added authority for contracting agencies to rely on state department records to verify if a bidder qualifies for the apprentice plan exemption.

Replaced the phrase 'award a contract in reasonable reliance' with 'reasonably rely' to clarify that agencies can depend on sworn statements without explicitly linking the reliance to the act of awarding the contract.

Added an expiration date of July 1, 2027, for the new responsible bidder criteria in Section 1.

Added a requirement for bidders on apprentice-utilization projects to submit a detailed apprenticeship utilization plan before work begins.

Added a requirement for bidders to undergo specific training on public works and prevailing wage laws, with record-keeping obligations for the department.

Added a requirement for bidders with a history of penalties for apprentice utilization failures to submit a utilization plan within ten business days.

Changed the training requirement in Section 2 to allow bidders to either complete a project without citations or have a designated person trained, rather than mandating training for all bidders.

Modified the training exemption criteria to apply only to bidders who have completed three or more projects and held a license for three or more years.

Updated the bill header to reflect the Capital Budget committee and changed the reading date from February 18 to February 27, 2025.

Updated the responsible bidder criteria to clarify that training records must be completed by a designated employee or officer within the last three years, removing a confusing exemption clause for experienced bidders.

Changed the deadline for submitting an apprentice utilization plan from 'within 60 days of being awarded the contract' to 'before receiving the notice to proceed', shifting the timing earlier in the process.

Added a new exemption allowing bidders to skip submitting an apprentice utilization plan if they met or exceeded utilization requirements on their most recently completed public works project.

Updated the apprentice utilization plan template requirements to use 'estimated' hours and 'estimated' agents/sponsors instead of fixed projections.

Removed the requirement for bidders to submit a sworn statement verifying compliance with the responsible bidder criteria, simplifying the submission process.