[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4591 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4591

To establish a national strategy for identifying job training needs to 
   increase opportunities for technical school training and promote 
                                hiring.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 7, 2014

Mr. Barrow of Georgia introduced the following bill; which was referred 
to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the 
Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined 
 by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as 
        fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To establish a national strategy for identifying job training needs to 
   increase opportunities for technical school training and promote 
                                hiring.

    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 ``Workforce Investment and Job 
Creation Act''.

SEC. 2. IDENTIFYING JOB TRAINING NEEDS.

    (a) Strategy Report.--
            (1) Strategy report required.--The Secretary of Labor shall 
        develop and submit to Congress a strategy report to address the 
        skills gap by providing analysis and recommendations to 
        increase on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities 
        and increase employer participation in education and workforce 
        training.
            (2) Goals of the strategy report.--The strategy report 
        required by paragraph (1) shall include specific 
        recommendations to achieve the following goals:
                    (A) To increase the aggregate number of employers 
                and employees participating in on-the-job training and 
                apprenticeships.
                    (B) To determine ways in which the Department of 
                Labor can increase employer outreach to encourage new 
                and expanded employer participation in education and 
                workforce training.
                    (C) To identify and prioritize industry-recognized 
                postsecondary credentials that are nationally portable 
                and aligned with in-demand occupations in industries 
                such as construction, manufacturing, and others that 
                are emerging.
                    (D) To determine ways in which the Department of 
                Labor can better address the skills gap by maximizing 
                existing resources, programs, and personnel.
            (3) Analysis required.--As part of the strategy report 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, at a minimum, include 
        the following:
                    (A) A comparison of United States on-the-job 
                training and apprenticeship policies and strategies 
                with the policies and strategies of other countries 
                where employers play a larger role in education and 
                workforce training.
                    (B) An assessment of the Department of Labor's 
                Registered Apprenticeship program to determine how it 
                can be better utilized to appeal to more industries and 
                to boost the goals described in paragraph (2).
                    (C) An evaluation of any existing or potential 
                opportunities within the Department of Labor to refocus 
                or repurpose resources and personnel to better support 
                on-the-job training and apprenticeship goals.
                    (D) An analysis of the specific barriers preventing 
                the domestic workforce from acquiring the skills 
                desired by domestic employers, including an assessment 
                of opportunities to reduce those barriers by--
                            (i) improving coordination between Federal 
                        agencies that administer employment and 
                        training programs; and
                            (ii) modifying Federal employment and 
                        training programs to enable States to better 
                        utilize Federal employment and training funds.
            (4) Recommendations.--The Secretary shall include in the 
        skills gap strategy report required under paragraph (1) 
        recommendations for achieving the goals included in the 
        strategy pursuant to paragraph (2). Such recommendations may 
        include proposals as follows:
                    (A) Actions that may be taken by the Federal 
                Government, Congress, State, local and territorial 
                governments, the private sector, universities, industry 
                associations, and other stakeholders to improve 
                policies, coordination, and interaction between such 
                entities, including strategies and best practices to--
                            (i) boost public-private partnerships and 
                        employer-led partnerships; and
                            (ii) help establish regional industry 
                        partnerships.
                    (B) Adoption of strategies that have been 
                implemented and proven successful in key industries and 
                regions in the United States and in other countries.
                    (C) In coordination with the Secretary of Commerce 
                and the Secretary of Education, develop plans that 
                identify strategies--
                            (i) for increased employer participation in 
                        career and technical education;
                            (ii) to better align career and technical 
                        education curriculums and programs with fast 
                        growing industry sectors;
                            (iii) to encourage more pre-apprenticeship 
                        and college credit courses in secondary 
                        schools;
                            (iv) to improve school-to-work transitions 
                        and connections; and
                            (v) to assist employers in partnering with 
                        elementary schools, secondary schools, and 
                        institutions of higher education.
            (5) Submittal of strategy report.--Not later than 1 year 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
        shall submit to Congress the strategy report developed under 
        this subsection.
            (6) Implementation.--The Secretary may implement the 
        recommendations under paragraph (4) as the Secretary determines 
        appropriate, if otherwise permitted under law.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) ESEA terms.--The terms ``elementary school'' and 
        ``secondary school'' have the meanings given such terms in 
        section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (2) Industry-recognized.--The term ``industry-recognized'', 
        as used with respect to a credential, means a credential that--
                    (A) is sought or accepted by employers within the 
                industry sector involved as recognized, preferred, or 
                required for recruitment, screening, hiring, or 
                advancement;
                    (B) is endorsed by a recognized trade or 
                professional association or organization, representing 
                a significant part of the industry sector; and
                    (C) is a nationally portable credential that is 
                sought or accepted across multiple States, as described 
                in subparagraph (A).
            (3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1002).
            (4) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term 
        ``recognized postsecondary credential'' means a credential 
        consisting of an industry-recognized credential for 
        postsecondary training, a certificate that meets the 
        requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph (1) for 
        postsecondary training, a certificate of completion of a 
        postsecondary apprenticeship through a program described in 
        section 122(a)(2)(B) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 
        (29 U.S.C. 2842(a)(2)(B)), or an associate degree or 
        baccalaureate degree awarded by an institution of higher 
        education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))).
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Labor.
            (6) Skills gap.--The term ``skills gap'' refers to the 
        difference, or gap, between the current supply of labor and 
        skills of the workforce and that which is desired by employers.

SEC. 3. TECHNICAL SCHOOL TRAINING SUBSIDY PROGRAM.

    Section 171 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 
2916) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Technical School Training Subsidy Pilot Program.--
            ``(1) Establishment of technical school training subsidy 
        pilot program.--From the amounts appropriated to carry out this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall award competitive grants to 
        States to provide such funds to local boards for the provision 
        of technical school training subsidies in local areas through 
        one-stop delivery systems described in section 134(c).
            ``(2) Application.--To receive a grant under this 
        subsection a State shall submit to the Secretary an application 
        in such manner, at such time, and containing such information 
        as the Secretary may require.
            ``(3) Qualifications and requirements for subsidy.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A technical school training 
                subsidy for an academic year may be provided, in 
                accordance with subparagraph (E), to a technical school 
                on behalf of an unemployed individual who is enrolled, 
                or accepted for enrollment, at a technical school.
                    ``(B) Amount of subsidy.--
                            ``(i) Considerations.--In determining the 
                        amount of a subsidy to provide to an unemployed 
                        individual under this subsection, a one-stop 
                        operator or one-stop partner, as appropriate, 
                        shall take into account--
                                    ``(I) the cost of tuition of such 
                                individual;
                                    ``(II) the expected family 
                                contribution, as determined in 
                                accordance with section 474 of the 
                                Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                                1087nn), for such individual; and
                                    ``(III) the estimated financial 
                                assistance for such individual not 
                                received under this subsection.
                            ``(ii) Aggregate amount.--The aggregate 
                        amount of subsidies an individual may receive 
                        under this subsection may not exceed $2,000.
                    ``(C) Number of subsidies.--An individual may 
                receive subsidies under this subsection for not more 
                than 2 academic years.
                    ``(D) Use of funds.--A subsidy an individual 
                receives under this subsection shall be used to assist 
                the individual in paying the cost of tuition for career 
                and technical education at a technical school. All 
                subsidies received by an individual under this 
                subsection shall be used to pay the cost of tuition for 
                career and technical education at the same technical 
                school.
                    ``(E) Provision of subsidy.--Upon approving an 
                unemployed individual for a subsidy under this 
                subsection, a one-stop operator or one-stop partner, as 
                appropriate, shall provide, prior to the start of an 
                academic year, the subsidy to the technical school in 
                which the unemployed individual is enrolled or accepted 
                for enrollment.
            ``(4) Definitions.--In this subsection--
                    ``(A) The term `career and technical education' has 
                the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. 
                Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
                U.S.C. 2302).
                    ``(B) The term `cost of tuition' means--
                            ``(i) tuition and fees normally assessed a 
                        student carrying the same academic workload as 
                        determined by the technical school, and 
                        including costs for rental or purchase of any 
                        equipment, materials, or supplies required of 
                        all students in the same course of study; and
                            ``(ii) an allowance for books and supplies, 
                        for a student attending the technical school on 
                        at least a half-time basis, as determined by 
                        the school.
                    ``(C) The term `technical school' means a 
                `postsecondary vocational institution' that provides 
                career and technical education.
                    ``(D) The term `postsecondary vocational 
                institution' has the meaning given the term in section 
                102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1002(c)).
                    ``(E) The term `unemployed individual' means an 
                unemployed individual who is a citizen of the United 
                States.''.

SEC. 4. TAX CREDITS FOR NEW HIRES.

    (a) Credit for Increasing Employment.--Subpart C of part IV of 
subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
(relating to refundable credits) is amended by inserting after section 
36B the following new section:

``SEC. 36C. CREDIT FOR INCREASING EMPLOYMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--There shall be allowed as a credit against the 
tax imposed by this subtitle--
            ``(1) for any taxable year beginning in 2014, an amount 
        equal to 60 percent of the excess of--
                    ``(A) the aggregate wages paid during 2014, over
                    ``(B) the aggregate wages paid during 2013, and
            ``(2) for any taxable year beginning in 2015, an amount 
        equal to 40 percent of the excess of--
                    ``(A) the aggregate wages paid during 2015, over
                    ``(B) the aggregate inflation-adjusted wages paid 
                during 2014.
    ``(b) Maximum Credit.--The amount of the credit allowable under 
this section for any employer with respect to any calendar year shall 
not exceed $500,000.
    ``(c) Minimum Preceding Year Wages.--For purposes of subsection 
(a)--
            ``(1) the amount taken into account under paragraph (1)(B) 
        thereof shall not be less than 50 percent of the amount 
        described in paragraph (1)(A) thereof, and
            ``(2) the amount taken into account under paragraph (2)(B) 
        thereof shall not be less than 50 percent of the amount 
        described in paragraph (2)(A) thereof.
    ``(d) Total Wages Must Increase.--The amount of credit allowed 
under this section for any taxable year shall not exceed the amount 
which would be so allowed for such year (without regard to subsection 
(c)) if--
            ``(1) the aggregate amounts taken into account as wages 
        were determined without any dollar limitation, and
            ``(2) 103 percent of the amount of wages otherwise required 
        to be taken into account under subsection (a)(1)(B) or 
        subsection (a)(2)(B), as the case may be, were taken into 
        account.
    ``(e) Wages; Inflation-Adjusted Wages.--For purposes of this 
section:
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        term `wages' has the meaning given to such term by section 
        3306(b).
            ``(2) Railway and agricultural labor.--Rules similar to the 
        rules of section 51(h) shall apply for purposes of this 
        section.
            ``(3) Inflation-adjusted wages.--The term `inflation-
        adjusted wages' means the aggregate wages paid during 2014 
        increased by an amount equal to--
                    ``(A) such aggregate wages, multiplied by
                    ``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined 
                under section 1(f)(3) for 2014, determined by 
                substituting `calendar year 2012' for `calendar year 
                1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof.
        Any increase determined under the preceding sentence shall be 
        rounded in such manner as the Secretary shall prescribe.
    ``(f) Special Rules.--
            ``(1) Adjustments for certain acquisitions, etc.--
                    ``(A) Acquisitions.--If, after December 31, 2012, 
                an employer acquires the major portion of a trade or 
                business of another person (hereinafter in this 
                subparagraph referred to as the `predecessor') or the 
                major portion of a separate unit of a trade or business 
                of a predecessor, then, for purposes of applying this 
                section for any calendar year ending after such 
                acquisition, the amount of wages deemed paid by the 
                employer during periods before such acquisition shall 
                be increased by so much of such wages paid by the 
                predecessor with respect to the acquired trade or 
                business as is attributable to the portion of such 
                trade or business acquired by the employer.
                    ``(B) Dispositions.--If, after December 31, 2012--
                            ``(i) an employer disposes of the major 
                        portion of any trade or business of the 
                        employer or the major portion of a separate 
                        unit of a trade or business of the employer in 
                        a transaction to which subparagraph (A) 
                        applies, and
                            ``(ii) the employer furnishes the acquiring 
                        person such information as is necessary for the 
                        application of subparagraph (A),
                then, for purposes of applying this section for any 
                calendar year ending after such disposition, the amount 
                of wages deemed paid by the employer during periods 
                before such disposition shall be decreased by so much 
                of such wages as is attributable to such trade or 
                business or separate unit.
            ``(2) Change in status from self-employed to employee.--
        If--
                    ``(A) during 2013 or 2014 an individual has net 
                earnings from self-employment (as defined in section 
                1402(a)) which are attributable to a trade or business, 
                and
                    ``(B) for any portion of the succeeding calendar 
                year such individual is an employee of such trade or 
                business,
        then, for purposes of determining the credit allowable for a 
        taxable year beginning in such succeeding calendar year, the 
        employer's aggregate wages for 2013 or 2014, as the case may 
        be, shall be increased by an amount equal to so much of the net 
        earnings referred to in subparagraph (A) as does not exceed the 
        median household income in the United States for 2013 or 2014, 
        as the case may be.
            ``(3) Certain other rules to apply.--Rules similar to the 
        following rules shall apply for purposes of this section:
                    ``(A) Section 51(f) (relating to remuneration must 
                be for trade or business employment).
                    ``(B) Section 51(i)(1) (relating to related 
                individuals ineligible).
                    ``(C) Section 51(k) (relating to treatment of 
                successor employers; treatment of employees performing 
                services for other persons).
                    ``(D) Section 52 (relating to special rules).
            ``(4) Short taxable years.--If the employer has more than 1 
        taxable year beginning in 2014 or 2015, the credit under this 
        section shall be determined for the employer's last taxable 
        year beginning in 2014 or 2015, as the case may be.''.
    (b) Denial of Double Benefit.--Subsection (a) of section 280C of 
such Code is amended by inserting ``36C(a),'' before ``45A(a)''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is 
        amended by inserting ``36C,'' after ``36B,''.
            (2) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of 
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 36B the following new item:

``Sec. 36C. Credit for increasing employment.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2013.
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