Bill
HR 1132
Creates a new WIOA grant program at community colleges to fund high-quality, portable credentials through employer partnerships and work-based learning.
Status: Reported enrolled
Introduced: February 7, 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Lucy McBath (primary); multiple cosponsors including Jahana Hayes, Mike Thompson, Robert Garcia, Mark Takano, and others.
Classification: Resolution (title: Recognizing May 14, 2025, as Vietnamese American Day at the State Capitol) — but the text provided contains a substantive amendment to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Legislative actions: referred to House Education & Workforce (2/7/2025); placed on Local & Consent Calendars (5/16); adopted (5/23); reported enrolled (5/25).
Note on contents: The bill package appears to include two different items — (A) a commemorative resolution recognizing Vietnamese American Day and (B) a detailed statutory amendment establishing a new competitive grant program for community colleges under WIOA. This summary focuses on the substantive statutory language provided.
Purpose and intent
- Create a new WIOA subtitle-authorized competitive grant program to establish, improve, or expand high-quality workforce development programs at community colleges.
- Expand opportunities for individuals to obtain nationally or regionally portable, stackable postsecondary credentials aligned with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industries.
Key provisions (from the provided statutory text)
- New Section (designated “173”) added to Subtitle D of Title I of WIOA.
- Authorization of appropriations: $65,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026–2031.
- Grant structure:
- Competitive grants awarded by the Secretary (initial period up to 4 years).
- Grants may be renewed for additional up to-4-year periods if performance targets are met.
- Secretary may reserve up to 2% of funds for administration (technical assistance, outreach, evaluation/reporting).
- Eligibility and application requirements:
- Eligible institutions must apply and describe employer partnerships, targeted industries, alignment with real-time labor market demand, proposed credentials, career pathways, evidence base for program design, leverage/matching funds, projected participants and geography, and alignment with State/local WIOA and Perkins plans.
- Secretary may not reject applicants solely for lack of prior partnership experience.
- Required partnerships and program features:
- Grant recipients must form and maintain partnerships with employers in in-demand sectors, collaborate with the workforce system, serve adults, dislocated workers, incumbent and new workers, use evidence-based designs, and incorporate work-based learning (text truncated).
- Priorities for award:
- Institutions serving individuals with barriers to employment or incumbent workers needing foundational skills.
- Programs using competency‑based assessment for awarding credit for prior learning.
- Programs included (or seeking inclusion) on the State list of eligible providers under WIOA section 122.
- Monitoring and evaluation:
- Grants are subject to performance indicators and evaluation/reporting requirements (subsections (f)–(h) referenced).
Who would be affected
- Primary: community colleges and other eligible postsecondary institutions that apply for grants.
- Direct beneficiaries: adult learners, dislocated workers, incumbent workers, and new entrants seeking credentials; especially low‑income individuals and those with barriers to employment.
- Employers and industry partners in targeted in‑demand sectors (including small and mid‑sized employers).
- State and local workforce boards and systems (through alignment and collaboration requirements).
- Federal: U.S. Department of Labor (Secretary responsible for awards, oversight, evaluation).
Procedural/timeline notes
- Authorized funding begins FY2026 and continues annually through FY2031 ($65M/year).
- Grants awarded competitively for up to 4 years with renewals contingent on meeting agreed performance targets.
- Administrative reserve limited to 2% for technical assistance and evaluation.
Limitations/other
- The provided legislative text was truncated; some specific programmatic or operational details (e.g., full content of subsections (e)–(h)) are incomplete in the submission.
- There is a mismatch between the bill title (a commemorative resolution) and the substantive statutory amendment text included. Review of the official enrolled bill text would be needed to resolve discrepancies.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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