WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HF 432

A bill for an act relating to eligibility for financial assistance from the department of workforce development for certain apprenticeship programs.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Cooling

HF 432 lowers the first-year apprenticeship training hours from 100 to 75 for programs in Iowa, while keeping 100 hours for each subsequent year.

Introduced, referred to Labor and Workforce.
#apprenticeships #workforcedevelopmentdepartment
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 432

Summary of HF 432 (Introduced Feb. 17, 2025)

Overview

HF 432 proposes to broaden eligibility for financial assistance from the Iowa Department of Workforce Development (DWD) for certain apprenticeship programs. The bill amends the requirements for apprenticeship sponsors or lead sponsors that participate in programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship, conducted in Iowa and employing apprentices at Iowa worksites. The core change is a reduction in the minimum first-year training hours to qualify for financial assistance, while maintaining the existing annual hours for subsequent years.

Key Provisions

  • Eligibility expansion: Apprenticeship sponsors or lead sponsors with programs registered with the U.S. DOL Office of Apprenticeship (through Iowa) and employing apprentices at Iowa worksites may apply to DWD for financial assistance.
  • Training-hour threshold:
    • First training year: Minimum of 75 contact hours per apprentice.
    • Each full training year after the first: Minimum of 100 contact hours per apprentice.
  • Retained standard: The requirement for 100 contact hours per apprentice for each full training year thereafter remains in place, aligning with current law for subsequent years.
  • Scope of programs: Applies specifically to programs registered with the U.S. DOL Office of Apprenticeship through Iowa and conducted for apprentices at Iowa worksites.

Current Law vs.HF 432

  • Current law requires a minimum of 100 contact hours per apprentice for each training year.
  • HF 432 would lower the first-year threshold to 75 hours while keeping the 100-hour threshold for each subsequent year.

Affected Entities

  • Apprenticeship sponsors or lead apprenticeship sponsors.
  • Apprentices enrolled in programs registered with the U.S. DOL Office of Apprenticeship through Iowa.
  • Employers providing worksites located in Iowa for those apprentices.
  • Iowa Department of Workforce Development as the recipient/administrator of financial assistance.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Status: Introduced and referred to the Labor and Workforce committee.
  • Introduced: February 17, 2025.
  • Primary sponsor: Cooling (listed as the primary sponsor).

Potential Impact

  • Access to financial assistance could increase for apprenticeship programs that previously fell short of the 100-hour first-year requirement but meet the 75-hour first-year threshold.
  • May encourage more programs to pursue DWD financial assistance, potentially expanding apprenticeship opportunities within Iowa.
  • The bill does not specify funding levels or program-specific criteria beyond-hour thresholds, so the fiscal impact would depend on DWD’s available appropriations and the number of qualifying programs.

Note: As introduced, HF 432 changes only the first-year hour requirement; all other provisions and the ongoing 100-hour annual standard remain consistent with current law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.