Labor & Employment (Apprenticeships)

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 2, 2026

HF 2466: A bill for an act relating to apprenticeships and other career training and making appropriations.

HF 2466, the "Iowa Skilled Workforce Act," clarifies and expands apprenticeship program rules in Iowa. It defines key terms like "intermediary sponsor" (an entity training apprentices for multiple employers) and sets requirements for financial assistance, including a minimum of 100 contact hours per apprentice annually. The bill also establishes a 3-apprentice-to-1-journeyperson supervision ratio for plumbers and mechanical professionals. It affects apprenticeship sponsors, employers, and intermediaries by standardizing program administration, financial aid criteria, and oversight procedures.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands apprenticeship frameworks with training requirements and supervision ratios, strengthening workforce development under labor/employment topic.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2588: A bill for an act establishing a water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates, and making appropriations.

HF 2588 creates a pilot program allowing eligible inmates to train as certified water and wastewater operators through classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and supervised work release placements. It directly affects inmates serving nonviolent sentences within 24 months of release who demonstrate good behavior and meet certification requirements. The program aims to address statewide operator shortages while providing vocational training and post-release employment pathways, with $500,000 appropriated for implementation during fiscal year 2026-2027. The program requires annual reporting on participant outcomes and expires January 16, 2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $500,000 for a pilot program addressing workforce shortages, directly funding a state initiative under budgetary allocation.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides vocational training and work release for inmates to reduce recidivism and improve post-release employment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides vocational training and employment pathways for inmates, addressing workforce shortages and supporting post-release employment opportunities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SF 2169: A bill for an act relating to apprenticeships.

SF 2169 clarifies Iowa's apprenticeship program structure by defining key terms like "intermediary sponsor" (an entity training multiple employers' apprentices) and requiring 100 contact hours per apprentice annually for financial aid eligibility. It grants intermediaries sole authority to approve employer partners and establishes 60-90 day compliance periods before program cancellations or suspensions. The bill also updates plumbing licensing rules to limit apprentices to three per licensed worker. These changes directly affect apprenticeship sponsors, employers, and intermediaries operating programs in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies apprenticeship structure, mandates 100 annual contact hours for training, and strengthens program oversight to enhance workforce development and training standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HSB 674: A bill for an act relating to apprenticeships and other career training and making appropriations.

This bill, the "Iowa Skilled Workforce Act," updates Iowa's apprenticeship framework to support career training. It creates clear definitions for "intermediary sponsors" (entities training multiple employers) and clarifies that partner employers (those using intermediaries) must follow the intermediary's standards. The bill also adds financial assistance for apprenticeship programs meeting a minimum of 100 training hours per apprentice annually and updates plumbing/mechanics licensing rules to allow up to three apprentices per licensed supervisor. It directly affects apprenticeship sponsors, employers, and training programs across Iowa.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides financial assistance for apprenticeship programs requiring 100+ annual training hours, supporting workforce development and career training pathways linked to higher education.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds financial assistance for apprenticeships meeting 100+ annual training hours, directly advancing workforce development and career training standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 18, 2026

HF 2129: A bill for an act establishing a water and wastewater operator apprenticeship and work release pilot program for inmates, and making appropriations.

HF 2129 establishes a pilot program allowing eligible inmates in Iowa to train as certified water and wastewater operators through classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and supervised work release placements. It directly affects inmates serving nonviolent sentences within 24 months of release who meet behavioral and qualification criteria, aiming to address statewide operator shortages while providing post-release employment pathways. The program requires collaboration between corrections, natural resources, workforce development, and local utilities, with $500,000 appropriated for implementation in fiscal year 2026-2027. Annual reports on participation, certification rates, employment, and recidivism must be submitted to the legislature, and the program expires January 16, 2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes appropriations for a state-funded pilot program, directly involving government spending on workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes rehabilitation via job training/work release for inmates, reducing recidivism and addressing correctional system needs through employment pathways.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes apprenticeship program for inmates to gain certified jobs, addressing workforce shortages and providing post-release employment pathways.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SSB 3072: A bill for an act relating to apprenticeships.

This bill (SSB 3072) updates Iowa's apprenticeship laws to clarify roles and support training programs. It defines key terms like "intermediary sponsor" (an organization training apprentices for multiple employers) and "partner employer" (an employer using an intermediary). The bill protects intermediaries from being penalized for their partner employers' actions but requires them to address partner breaches. It also establishes that apprenticeship programs receiving state financial aid must provide at least 100 contact hours of training per apprentice annually. These changes directly affect apprenticeship programs, intermediaries, and employers participating in registered apprenticeship training in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly updates apprenticeship laws to clarify roles and support training programs, advancing job training within labor & employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Labor Standards Workforce Development

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SF 379: A bill for an act creating a deduction available against the individual income tax for educational expenses at institutions of higher education for career-related programs and apprenticeship programs, and including retroactive applicability provisions.

SF 379 creates a new Iowa individual income tax deduction for educational costs at specific career-focused programs and apprenticeships. It allows taxpayers to deduct expenses like tuition, fees, books, and supplies paid for: (1) career-related programs at colleges or training programs that don’t offer college credit, and (2) registered apprenticeship programs. The deduction applies retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and excludes payments from education savings plans. It directly affects Iowa residents paying for these qualifying education expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new income tax deduction for education expenses, reducing taxable income and providing direct tax relief for eligible taxpayers under tax policy.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax deduction for career education/apprenticeship costs, increasing affordability and access to higher education programs per bill's retroactive tax benefit for eligible expenses.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates tax deduction for career/apprenticeship education, directly advancing workforce development and employment pathways per bill's focus on career-related programs and registered apprenticeships.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 17, 2025

HF 432: A bill for an act relating to eligibility for financial assistance from the department of workforce development for certain apprenticeship programs.

HF 432 modifies eligibility for financial assistance from Iowa's Department of Workforce Development for apprenticeship programs. It allows sponsors of programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor (through Iowa) to apply for funding if their programs meet minimum contact hour requirements: 75 hours per apprentice in the first training year and 100 hours per apprentice for each subsequent full year. This changes current law, which required 100 contact hours per apprentice annually for all training years. The bill directly affects Iowa-based apprenticeship sponsors seeking state funding to support training costs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentModifies funding eligibility to lower contact hour requirements, expanding access to apprenticeship programs that support workforce development and worker skill-building.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Labor Standards Workforce Development

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