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HR5297119th CongressWALLET

PARTNERS Act

Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

Introduced

Summary

Expand registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning through local and regional industry partnerships.

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The PARTNERS Act creates a federal grant program that funds industry or sector partnerships to build apprenticeships and work-based learning for small and medium-sized employers, using federal appropriations and a dedicated share of H-1B fee revenue.

  • Workers and jobseekers: Partnerships must recruit from WIOA participants, SNAP recipients, and TANF recipients and prioritize people with barriers to employment and underrepresented groups. Grants require at least 12 months of post-placement support and services.
  • Small and medium-sized businesses: Grants support registered apprenticeships and employer-focused activities like registration navigation, curriculum development, mentor training, transitional employment, and career awareness. Individual grants may run up to three years and are capped at $500,000.
  • States and partnerships: States apply for allotments using a modified Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act formula and must ensure geographic diversity. Administrative costs are limited to up to 5 percent and evaluations up to 2 percent, with a 0.25 percent rule for outlying areas.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants to build local apprenticeships

States would give grants to local industry partnerships to create or grow apprenticeships and other on‑the‑job training. Each grant could be up to $500,000 and last up to 3 years; money could also be used in the next two fiscal years. States could keep up to 5% for administration. Programs would have to give worker support for at least 12 months after placement, like classes, tools, mentors, and retention help. No more than 5% of a grant could pay for transportation, child care, or similar supports. Partnerships would engage small and mid‑sized employers, recruit from WIOA, SNAP, and TANF, and report results yearly.

New apprenticeship program funded by H‑1B fees

This bill would set up a Labor Department program to fund apprenticeships and other on‑the‑job learning. It would dedicate 50% of deposits into the H‑1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account to this program, available until spent. Money would come from amounts made available under immigration law and flow to States and local partnerships. This could expand paid training for workers and support small and mid‑sized employers. It would also repeal a 1998 provision; any effects would depend on later agency actions.

State allotments and federal set‑asides

The Labor Department would be allowed to hold small shares of program money before sending the rest to States. Up to 5% could pay for federal admin and technical help, up to 2% for evaluations, and up to 0.25% for outlying areas. The rest would go to eligible States using a WIOA‑based formula. Funds could be reassigned if a State does not meet program rules.

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Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Guthrie

    KY • R

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 9/11/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 10/3/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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