START Act
Sponsored By: Senator Banks, Jim [R-IN]
Introduced
Summary
national apprenticeship registration system would set a single framework for registering apprenticeship programs and create a formula-based state grant program to speed approvals and expand training.
Show full summary
- States would get annual grants allocated by population and apprentice counts with a $1,000,000 minimum. Grants require a state match up to half the allotment and funds can be redistributed if unused.
- Sponsors and employers would follow one set of national registration rules and a fast review clock: the Secretary or a State agency must act on complete submissions in 90 days and on incomplete submissions in 30 days.
- Apprentices and programs must declare competency-based or time-based approaches, and a time-based program would require at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning. The bill also requires public posting of reciprocity rules and state apprenticeship standards to improve transparency.
*If enacted, the bill would authorize $150 million per year for the apprenticeship grant program, increasing federal spending by that amount annually if appropriated.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New federal apprenticeship grants
This bill would create a federal State apprenticeship grant program. It would authorize $150 million a year starting in fiscal year 2027, if Congress provides the money. Each State and DC would get at least $1,000,000 per program year and the Secretary would publish a formula to divide remaining funds at least 30 days before each year. States must notify the Secretary of any matching money at least 30 days before each year and matching may be up to half a State's allotment. States could use grant money for technical help, apprentice training and wages, outreach, and pay-for-performance incentives. If a State is slow to review program registrations, the Secretary could cut part of the State's next-year award using a formula that is capped at 20 percent.
Faster, clearer apprenticeship registration
This bill would set a national apprenticeship system with standard program definitions and registration rules. Program filings would have to list all entities involved and say whether the program is competency-based, time-based (at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning), or hybrid, and show they meet State wage, safety, licensing, and federal standards. For complete filings, the Secretary or State agency would have to approve or deny within 90 days and, for incomplete filings, provide corrective feedback within 30 days. The Secretary would start posting monthly average response times online within 120 days of enactment. Each State agency would have to post online its reciprocity process and State apprenticeship standards, and State apprenticeship councils would lose final decision authority two years after enactment.
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.
View on Congress.gov