Better Jobs through Evidence and Innovation Act
Sponsored By: Representative Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
Introduced
Summary
Workforce Development Innovation Fund: This bill would create a dedicated fund inside WIOA to award competitive, outcome-driven grants that develop, test, and scale evidence-based workforce programs aimed at improving earnings and employment for people with barriers to work.
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- Workers and families: People facing barriers to employment, including those in rural and underserved areas, would gain access to new programs like sectoral training, apprenticeships, re-entry services, and on-the-job training designed to raise earnings and job stability.
- Eligible applicants and grants: State and local workforce boards, tribes, colleges, community organizations, consortia, and similar entities could compete for early-phase, mid-phase, or expansion grants. At least 50% of Fund dollars must support expansion grants and no more than 25% may fund early-phase grants.
- Evidence, evaluation, and support: Grants use three evidence tiers (Low, Moderate, High) and require rigorous, replicable evaluations aligned with federal evidence standards. Up to 10% of Fund amounts can be reserved for technical assistance and evaluation research to improve cost-effectiveness and replication.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Workforce innovation grants for workers
If enacted, the government would create a Workforce Development Innovation Fund under WIOA to award competitive grants. Grants would go to state and local boards, tribes, colleges, nonprofits, labor groups, and consortia. Funded projects would pay for apprenticeships, on-the-job and incumbent worker training, sector programs, career pathways, re-entry services, and other models that aim to raise participants' earnings and employment. The Fund would be authorized for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 with appropriations described as "such sums as may be necessary." Each year the Secretary would generally use at least 50% of funds for expansion grants, no more than 25% for early-phase grants, and reserve up to 10% for technical assistance and evaluation research. Most awards would need to use at least 60% of each grant for direct services and would fund high-quality third-party evaluations, though the Secretary could waive some evaluation requirements for certain expansion grants.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]
GA • D
Sponsored 8/27/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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