Workforce Data Quality Initiative Act of 2026
Latest action (6 Apr 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 8196, the Workforce Data Quality Initiative Act of 2026, would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a new grant program called the Workforce Data Quality Initiative. It would set aside 5 to 10 percent of certain existing federal workforce funds (and allow additional appropriated funds) to be awarded as grants to state agencies or multistate consortia to build or improve workforce longitudinal data systems—systems that track education, training, and employment outcomes over time. Grants could last up to three years and would fund activities such as linking credential data, participating in multistate data-sharing collaboratives, developing secure "learning and employment records," improving labor market data collection, and building staff capacity to analyze data, while requiring privacy protections and post-grant reporting.
The bill primarily affects state workforce agencies, which would be eligible to apply for these grants, particularly those that have not previously received such funding or that participate in cross-state data partnerships. Indirectly, it could affect job seekers, employers, training providers, and researchers who rely on workforce performance data, credential information, and labor market statistics generated or improved through these systems.
The bill was introduced on April 6, 2026, by Rep. Michael Baumgartner and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. As an introduced bill, it has not yet been considered, amended, or voted on by the committee or the full House, and would need further legislative action before it could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on April 6, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8196 do?
- H.R. 8196, the Workforce Data Quality Initiative Act of 2026, would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a new grant program called the Workforce Data Quality Initiative. It would set aside 5 to 10 percent of certain existing federal workforce funds (and allow additional appropriated funds) to be awarded as grants to state agencies or multistate consortia to build or improve workforce longitudinal data systems—systems that track education, training, and employment outcomes over time. Grants could last up to three years and would fund activities such as linking credential data, participating in multistate data-sharing collaboratives, developing secure "learning and employment records," improving labor market data collection, and building staff capacity to analyze data, while requiring privacy protections and post-grant reporting. The bill primarily affects state workforce agencies, which would be eligible to apply for these grants, particularly those that have not previously received such funding or that participate in cross-state data partnerships. Indirectly, it could affect job seekers, employers, training providers, and researchers who rely on workforce performance data, credential information, and labor market statistics generated or improved through these systems. The bill was introduced on April 6, 2026, by Rep. Michael Baumgartner and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. As an introduced bill, it has not yet been considered, amended, or voted on by the committee or the full House, and would need further legislative action before it could become law.
- Has H.R. 8196 become law?
- Not yet. As of 6 Apr 2026, H.R. 8196 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8196?
- H.R. 8196 was sponsored by Rep. Michael Baumgartner [R-WA5] (Republican-WA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8196?
- Introduced (6 Apr 2026).
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