MATCH Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a national, interoperable public-private talent marketplace to match workers, learners, and employers. The bill would define these marketplaces and build the data and consumer tools needed to connect skills, credentials, and job opportunities.
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- States and workforce agencies gain a new Workforce Data Quality Initiative grant program funded from WIOA resources, using 5% to 10% of the designated pot to build longitudinal data systems, talent marketplaces, privacy protections, and interoperability. Grants may run up to 3 years and must include sustainability and data security plans.
- Jobseekers and learners would get consumer-tested, searchable state one-stop websites and tools that surface learning and employment records, credential registries, and skills profiles so people can compare training and control their information.
- Employers and the private sector would see incentives to join multistate data collaboratives, share labor market data, and leverage nonfederal contributions to improve matching and make skills and credential data more interoperable.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants to build workforce data systems
If enacted, this bill would create a Workforce Data Quality Initiative to award competitive grants to State agencies or consortia. The Secretary would use 5 to 10 percent of the funds available under WIOA section 132(a)(2)(A) each year for these grants. Grants could run up to 3 years, must supplement (not supplant) other funds, and recipients must report to the Secretary within 180 days after a grant ends. Grant projects must include privacy plans and open‑standards interoperability and may fund talent marketplaces, credential registries, and linked education‑to‑work data systems.
State talent marketplaces for job matching
If enacted, this bill would amend the Wagner‑Peyser Act to let state employment agencies create and run talent marketplaces. These marketplaces would connect jobseekers, employers, and training providers in a State or multistate consortium. The marketplaces would include tools like credential registries and learning and employment records for matching. States would have a clear legal basis to operate these platforms.
Public website to compare training programs
If enacted, this bill would require States to post eligible training provider lists on a public, consumer‑tested website. You would be able to search and compare programs using common, linked skill and credential data. The website must be easy to use and must not show people’s personal information. The Secretary would provide technical help to States on request.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
UT • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]
UT • R
Sponsored 5/13/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov