H.R. 7242

119 HR 7242 IH: Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-01-27
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 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 7242  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   January 27, 2026   Ms. Bynum  introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Education and Workforce    A BILL
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to train individuals in construction trades and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026  .
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:
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:
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.
 .