[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7242 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7242
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to train
individuals in construction trades and for other purposes.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 27, 2026
Ms. Bynum introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Workforce
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A BILL
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to train
individuals in construction trades and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. HOMEBUILDERS CORPS.
(a) Residential Construction Initiative.--Section 148 of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3198) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(f) Residential Construction Initiative.--In carrying out the
activities under this subtitle, the Secretary shall prioritize the
expansion of training programs in residential construction trades,
including carpentry, plumbing, electrical trades, masonry, and heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning.''.
(b) Employer Incentives for Hiring Job Corps Graduates.--Section
148 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3198) is
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Employer Incentive Program for Hiring Job Corps Graduates.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026, the Secretary,
in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall
establish a program to provide grants to residential
construction firms that--
``(A) hire a graduate of a Job Corps residential
construction program within 6 months of the graduate
completing such program; and
``(B) employ such graduate for a consecutive 12-
month period.
``(2) Amount.--A grant awarded under this Act shall be in
an amount equal to $5,000.
``(3) Certification.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this Act, the residential construction firm shall submit
to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may require, including a W-2,
payroll tax filings, or any other documentation to verify the
firm employed the Job Corps graduate for a consecutive 12-month
period.''.
(c) Industry Partnerships; Authorization of Appropriations.--
Subtitle C of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3191 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 162 as section 163;
(2) by inserting after section 161 the following:
``SEC. 162. INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP AND CURRICULA ALIGNMENT.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall facilitate agreements
between the Secretary and large trade associations that operate in the
residential construction industry for such associations to accept Job
Corps graduates into registered apprenticeship programs related to
residential construction.
``(b) Curricula Update.--Not later than 24 months after the date of
enactment of the Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026, and for each 24-month
period thereafter, the Secretary shall ensure that each workforce
council reviews and updates residential construction curricula to
incorporate new construction technologies.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 164. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL
CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 for fiscal
year 2026 to carry out--
``(1) the grant program described in section 148(g);
``(2) the prioritization requirement described in section
148(f); and
``(3) the activities described in section 162.''.
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