PARTNERS Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5297
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-11: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-17T13:28:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The PARTNERS Act aims to expand registered apprenticeships (structured training programs combining paid work and classroom instruction) and other work-based learning programs (paid experiences intended to lead to ongoing employment) for small and medium-sized businesses in high-demand industry sectors, such as those with growing job needs. It achieves this by funding and supporting local or regional industry or sector partnerships—collaborative groups of employers, educators, and workforce organizations.
Key Provisions
- Funding Source and Allocation: Funds come from 50% of fees deposited into the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account (related to H-1B visa applications for skilled foreign workers). The Secretary of Labor reserves up to 5% for technical assistance and administration, 2% for evaluations, and 0.25% for outlying areas (U.S. territories). Remaining funds are allotted to eligible states using formulas from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), with adjustments for initial years to ensure fair distribution.
- State Eligibility and Applications: States must apply to receive allotments, describing supported partnerships, targeted in-demand sectors (aligned with state/regional plans), apprenticeship programs, served populations (including those with employment barriers like low-income individuals or underrepresented groups), services (e.g., business engagement, instruction, and at least 6 months of post-employment support), credentials earned, performance goals, and resource leveraging. Applications are reviewed by the Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services.
- Grants to Partnerships: Eligible states award grants (up to $500,000 for 3 years) to local/regional industry or sector partnerships identified in state applications. States can reserve 5% for administration and must ensure geographic diversity. Partnerships designate a fiscal agent and can overlap in membership.
- Use of Grant Funds:
- Business Engagement: Help small/medium businesses navigate apprenticeship registration, connect with educators for instruction, develop curricula, hire trainees temporarily, train mentors, provide career awareness, and recruit from workforce programs (e.g., WIOA, SNAP, TANF).
- Worker Support Services: Offer pre- and post-training aid like basic education, pre-apprenticeships, mentorship, tools/attire, and essentials (transportation, child care—limited to 5% of funds). Services last at least 12 months, covering pre-training, transitional employment, and ongoing jobs.
- Funds can also establish/expand partnerships and support program completion/retention.
- Performance and Accountability: Partnerships submit annual local reports on WIOA performance indicators (e.g., employment rates, earnings) for all participants and those with barriers, disaggregated by demographics (race, ethnicity, sex, age, etc.). States compile and report aggregated data to the Secretary of Labor starting 24 months after grants begin.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Repeals Section 414(c) of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998, which previously allocated similar fees for workforce activities.
- Amends Section 286(s)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to dedicate 50% of H-1B fees specifically to this Act's work-based learning programs, shifting focus from broader uses to targeted apprenticeships and partnerships. Allotment formulas modify WIOA rules temporarily (e.g., minimum state shares, hold-harmless provisions) to prioritize new program rollout.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Department of Labor in administering funds, reviewing applications, and conducting evaluations; involves coordination with Education and Health and Human Services departments. States gain resources for workforce development but must align with WIOA plans.
- Citizens: Boosts access to paid training and jobs for workers, especially underserved groups (e.g., those facing employment barriers, low-income recipients of aid programs), potentially leading to higher earnings and credentials. Small/medium businesses benefit from easier program setup, addressing skill gaps in in-demand sectors like manufacturing or healthcare.
- International Relations: Indirectly links U.S. immigration policy (H-1B fees) to domestic training, possibly reducing reliance on foreign skilled labor by building local talent pipelines, though it may spark debates on funding immigration-related revenues for workforce programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Small and Medium-Sized Businesses: Primary beneficiaries through engagement services to adopt apprenticeships without high startup costs.
- Workers and Job Seekers: Especially individuals with barriers to employment (e.g., unemployed, underemployed, or from historically underrepresented groups) who gain training, support, and pathways to stable jobs.
- Industry or Sector Partnerships: Educators, workforce boards, and employers collaborating locally/regionally to design and run programs.
- States and Local Governments: Responsible for applications, grant awards, and reporting; outlying areas receive targeted aid.
- Federal Agencies: Department of Labor oversees implementation; ties into broader WIOA ecosystem.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on WIOA and National Apprenticeship Act frameworks, ensuring alignment with existing workforce laws while introducing specific performance metrics and demographic reporting to promote equity. The 12-month support requirement and fund limits (e.g., 5% for child care) provide clear guidelines but may require regulatory clarification.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; supports federal spending power under the Commerce Clause for workforce development, with state-federal partnerships respecting federalism by requiring state applications and local control.
- Political: Redirecting H-1B fees (from immigration) to domestic apprenticeships could appeal to workforce advocates but face opposition from immigration-focused groups, potentially fueling debates on prioritizing U.S. workers over foreign labor. Emphasizes equity for underrepresented populations, aligning with broader inclusion goals, but implementation success depends on state capacity and economic conditions in in-demand sectors.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-11: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-09-11: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-09-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Promoting Apprenticeships through Regional Training Networks for Employers Required Skills Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-11 — PDF (16 pages)