Better Jobs through Evidence and Innovation Act
Sponsored By: Senator Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a Workforce Development Innovation Fund that would award competitive grants to field‑led, evidence‑based workforce programs to boost long‑term earnings and employment. It focuses on scaling what works and improving access to training and support for people with barriers to work.
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- Workers and jobseekers: People facing barriers to employment could get expanded access to training, education, and support services aimed at raising sustained earnings and job placement.
- Local boards and community providers: State and local workforce boards, tribes, colleges, community organizations, and consortia could apply for early, mid, or expansion grants; grantees must use at least 60% of awards for direct program services and may use up to 10% for technical assistance and evaluation research.
- Program design and funding rules: Grants would be ranked by evidence and cost‑effectiveness and the program would require rigorous third‑party evaluations focused on long‑term earnings; at least 50% of funds must go to expansion grants and no more than 25% to early‑phase grants.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New job-training grants for workers
If enacted, this bill would create a Workforce Development Innovation Fund to pay competitive grants for job and training programs. The grants would fund development, testing, replication, or expansion of evidence-based, field-initiated workforce programs. Each award must use at least 60 percent for direct services. Of yearly funds, at least 50 percent would go to expansion grants, no more than 25 percent to early-phase grants, and up to 10 percent could be used for technical help and evaluation research. Eligible applicants would include state and local workforce boards, tribes, colleges, community nonprofits, labor organizations, national or regional groups, and consortia. Grantees would generally have to run rigorous third-party evaluations of long-term earnings and employment, though the Secretary could waive that rule for some expansion awards with strong prior evidence. The bill would authorize "such sums as may be necessary" for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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