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119-s-3993119th CongressWALLET

Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

In Committee

Summary

Treats apprenticeships and on-the-job training as fully eligible for veterans' education benefits. This bill would align apprenticeship and on-the-job training with standard monthly educational allowances, revise the housing stipend formula, and relax monthly attendance triggers for most apprentices.

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  • Active-duty All-Volunteer Force members and Selected Reserve participants would get 100 percent of their normal monthly educational assistance while in full-time apprenticeship or other on-the-job training.
  • Post-9/11 Educational Assistance recipients in apprenticeships would have their monthly housing stipend tied to the basic allowance for housing for an E-5 with dependents in the military housing area covering the employer's ZIP code.
  • The bill replaces the current monthly attendance trigger with a waiver for apprenticeship and on-the-job training, but that waiver would not apply to occupations in NAICS Sector 23, Construction.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Full apprenticeship pay for veterans

If enacted, veterans and eligible service members in full‑time apprenticeships or on‑the‑job training would receive the full monthly education allowance. The bill would set apprenticeship payments equal to 100% of the monthly educational allowance otherwise payable under the applicable program. This change would apply to the All‑Volunteer Force and Selected Reserve apprenticeship payments upon enactment.

Higher housing stipend for apprentices

If enacted, Post‑9/11 beneficiaries in apprenticeships or on‑the‑job training would get a monthly housing stipend equal to the E‑5 with dependents BAH. The BAH rate used would be the military housing area that covers the employer's ZIP Code where the individual trains. This change would start upon enactment and could raise monthly housing help for eligible apprentices.

No attendance waiver for construction

If enacted, the bill would remove the monthly attendance waiver for apprenticeships and on‑the‑job training in NAICS Sector 23 (Construction). This means people in construction apprenticeships would not be exempt from the normal monthly attendance rule and could lose or have reduced education payments if they fail to meet attendance. This change would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

MT • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 9/28/2026

  • Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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