Today’s American Dream Act
Latest action (15 Feb 2017): Introduced
What this bill does
Today's American Dream Act is a broad economic development bill combining workforce training, tax incentives, and community investment measures aimed at underserved communities. Among its provisions, it would establish a pilot job-skills training program for individuals over 45, extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for certain groups (including expanded credits for hiring ex-felons), create new tax credits for businesses that hire student interns or fund youth financial-literacy programs, allow YouthBuild grant funds to carry over between fiscal years, and create scholarship and grant programs to recruit STEM graduates into teaching, including bonus incentives for service in high-need school districts. Other titles (not fully detailed in the excerpt) address housing and commercial development, retail access and food deserts, broadband expansion, small-business lending, an "Innovation Commission," new markets tax credits, and expanded health care access, including studies on the uninsured and support for dental and community health programs.
The bill would primarily affect older workers, students, teachers, small businesses, ex-offenders, and residents of economically underserved rural and urban communities, by creating new federal grant programs, tax credits, and pilot initiatives administered through agencies such as the Departments of Labor, Education, and Treasury.
Introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) on February 15, 2017, in the 115th Congress, the bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee and several other committees for review. It did not receive a vote and did not become law; under congressional rules, it would need to be reintroduced in a new Congress to be considered again.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Today's American Dream Act
This bill establishes new programs or amends existing programs related to workforce and community development. It directs: (1) the Department of Labor to award grants for job skills training for older individuals (older than age 45) and for workers in highly-skilled industries; and (2) the Department of Education to award scholarships to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and teaching certifications.
The bill also amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) expand and extend the work opportunity tax credit, (2) allow tax credits for wages paid to interns by small business owners, and (3) extend and increase the new markets tax credit.
With respect to community development, the bill limits the first-time homebuyer tax credit to residences in economically distressed communities. It requires the Small Business Administration to make grants for commercial investment in economically underserved communities and direct loans to small business concerns. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on efforts to expand access to broadband service.
The bill establishes a Commission on Innovation in the Office of Management and Budget to study new and developing technologies.
The Department of Health and Human Services must: (1) study characteristics of populations that do not have health insurance coverage, and (2) award grants for free dental health services in underserved communities.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1084 do?
- Today's American Dream Act is a broad economic development bill combining workforce training, tax incentives, and community investment measures aimed at underserved communities. Among its provisions, it would establish a pilot job-skills training program for individuals over 45, extend the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for certain groups (including expanded credits for hiring ex-felons), create new tax credits for businesses that hire student interns or fund youth financial-literacy programs, allow YouthBuild grant funds to carry over between fiscal years, and create scholarship and grant programs to recruit STEM graduates into teaching, including bonus incentives for service in high-need school districts. Other titles (not fully detailed in the excerpt) address housing and commercial development, retail access and food deserts, broadband expansion, small-business lending, an "Innovation Commission," new markets tax credits, and expanded health care access, including studies on the uninsured and support for dental and community health programs. The bill would primarily affect older workers, students, teachers, small businesses, ex-offenders, and residents of economically underserved rural and urban communities, by creating new federal grant programs, tax credits, and pilot initiatives administered through agencies such as the Departments of Labor, Education, and Treasury. Introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) on February 15, 2017, in the 115th Congress, the bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee and several other committees for review. It did not receive a vote and did not become law; under congressional rules, it would need to be reintroduced in a new Congress to be considered again.
- Has H.R. 1084 become law?
- Not yet. As of 15 Feb 2017, H.R. 1084 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1084?
- H.R. 1084 was sponsored by Rep. Robin Kelly [D-IL2] (Democrat-IL), with 29 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1084?
- Introduced (15 Feb 2017).
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