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119-s-4409119th CongressWALLET

START Act

Sponsored By: Senator Banks, Jim [R-IN]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a national, standards-based apprenticeship registration system that would set clear timelines, require competency and time-based options, and tie new federal grants to state performance and transparency.

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  • States and agencies: Would access an Apprenticeship Grant Program with a minimum allocation of $1,000,000 per State and a population-based formula. Grants would require matching funds up to half the allotment and slow application review can cut a State's next award by up to 20%.
  • Apprentices and workers: Would see standardized registration rules and faster decisions with complete program standards subject to a 90-day approval timeline and incomplete filings getting feedback in 30 days. Competency-based programs must include on-the-job learning.
  • Employers and program sponsors: Would gain clearer rules and online reciprocity and standards postings, plus grant-eligible uses like wage-funded training and pay-for-performance incentives to encourage employer investment.

*Would authorize $150 million annually beginning in fiscal year 2027, which would increase federal spending.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

State grants to expand apprenticeships

This bill would create a federal Apprenticeship Grant Program for States. It would authorize $150,000,000 each year starting in fiscal year 2027. Program years would run July 1 through June 30. States would get at least $1,000,000 each year if money is available. States would need to submit a matching amount up to half their allotment at least 30 days before the program year. Grant dollars could pay apprentice wages, provide technical help to sponsors, fund outreach, and pay-for-performance incentives. Grants must supplement, not replace, existing State or local funds.

National apprenticeship rules and reciprocity

This bill would create a national apprenticeship system led by the Secretary of Labor and define competency-based, time-based, and hybrid programs. Time-based programs would require at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning. Competency-based programs would still need an on-the-job learning component. Each State agency would have to post online how it recognizes out-of-state or federally registered programs and publish State wage and safety standards and instructions for documenting training. The bill would also bar State apprenticeship councils from having final decision power on registrations two years after enactment.

State deadlines and funding penalties

This bill would require State apprenticeship agencies to approve or deny complete program standards within 90 days and give corrective feedback on incomplete submissions within 30 days. The Secretary would start publishing monthly average response times no later than 120 days after enactment. If a State’s average response time is late, the Secretary would reduce the State’s next program-year grant by half the sum of days over the 90- and 30-day targets, capped at 20 percent. The bill also defines how average response times are measured and what counts as a submission.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Banks, Jim [R-IN]

IN • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]

    LA • R

    Sponsored 4/28/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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