Sponsors (5)
The bill creates targeted, well-paid public-purpose jobs with strong benefits and support services for unemployed and disadvantaged workers, but it is narrowly scaled, costly to taxpayers, and carries administrative and employer incentives risks that may limit reach and private-sector transition.
Unemployed residents in qualifying high-unemployment areas gain guaranteed access to public-purpose jobs for up to three years, giving steady wages and work opportunities.
Program participants receive comprehensive benefits (FEHB-comparable health insurance and paid family/sick leave), improving health coverage and financial security for workers.
Low-income, justice-involved, and disabled participants receive supportive services (transportation, child care, housing) and training/education supports that reduce barriers to employment and aid reentry.
Taxpayers face increased federal spending to fund grants, benefits, and a Trust Fund with open-ended cost language ('such sums as necessary').
The program is narrowly scaled (maximum ~15 grantees) and federally funded for at most three years, so many high-need areas may not receive support and benefits may end abruptly when federal funding stops.
Complex application, reporting, audit, and evaluation requirements—plus potential inconsistencies in Tribal self-reported data—impose administrative burdens that can delay or block participation by small jurisdictions and Tribal entities.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a DOL pilot grant program to fund local job-guarantee public-purpose jobs in high-unemployment areas with wage and benefit minimums.
Official title: To require the Secretary of Labor to establish a pilot program to provide grants for job guarantee programs.
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Bonnie Watson Coleman · Last progress February 12, 2026
Creates a Department of Labor pilot “job guarantee” grant program that gives competitive grants to eligible localities, Tribal entities, or contiguous combinations with unemployment at least 150% of the national rate. Grant-funded local programs must offer public-purpose jobs to any eligible resident age 18+ in the service area, pay a floor wage tied to prevailing or collective-bargaining rates, provide health insurance and paid leave, and may use funds for supportive services; grants run up to three years per award.