Michael Baumgartner (R-WA)
Workforce Data Quality Initiative Act of 2026
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to create a new workforce data quality initiative. It sets aside specific funds to award grants to State agencies and consortia of State agencies. These grants are meant to help build and improve workforce longitudinal data systems and resources. The goal is to strengthen program quality, build state decision-making capacity, meet reporting requirements, protect privacy, and improve transparency. The Secretary of Labor will prioritize certain applicants, such as states that have not previously received these grants or those building cross-State data infrastructure. Grant recipients must use the funds for approved activities and report back to the Secretary after the grant period ends.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +4
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Young adults entering the workforce benefit from credential registries, navigation features, and verified learning records.
- Scored +4
Would students be better off under this?
Students and learners gain access to credential registries and interoperable learning records to verify their skills.
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
A core objective of the initiative is improving state decision-making capacity and public transparency regarding workforce outcomes.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Better tools for workers to make informed decisions: Section 2(b)(3)(B)(i) prioritizes entities that expand the use of linked, open, and interoperable data on credentials, including search features that allow participants and the public to find recognized post-secondary credentials offered by eligible training providers. This could help everyday people find useful training programs and make better choices about their education and employment.
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Control over personal skills records: Section 2(b)(4)(D) allows grant funds to be used to establish or enhance a system of interoperable learning and employment records. This gives individuals who choose to participate ownership of a verified and secure record of their skills and achievements, which they can then share with employers and education providers.
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Better tracking of out-of-state employment: Section 2(b)(3)(B)(ii) prioritizes funding for states that participate in multistate data collaboratives to better understand earnings and employment outcomes for individuals who work out-of-state, as well as cross-state employment trends. This can help people who cross state lines for work see more accurate data about their job markets.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the explicit text provided in the bill, there are no specific provisions identified that create negative consequences or direct burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — Students and learners gain access to credential registries and interoperable learning records to verify their skills. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults entering the workforce benefit from credential registries, navigation features, and verified learning records. Would business owners be better off under this? — Employers benefit from enhanced labor market data systems and credential standards that align with workforce needs. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Better transparency in training programs helps individuals find effective paths to better-paying jobs. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Improved labor market information helps workers make informed decisions regarding education and career investments. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Adult workers looking for retraining or career changes can better navigate education and credential options.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — A core objective of the initiative is improving state decision-making capacity and public transparency regarding workforce outcomes. Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — By supporting multistate data collaboratives, the bill improves cross-state employment data sharing and coordination.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — By improving workforce data systems and providing better tools for tracking labor market trends and credentials, the bill supports better employment matching and economic development. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Enhancing state data infrastructure and decision-making capacity helps optimize workforce development and labor market efficiency.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill explicitly mandates procedures to ensure the security and privacy of data collection and compliance with privacy statutes.
- 4/6/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House