Sponsors (4)
The bill creates predictable funding, administrative support, evaluation, and continuity tools for state-run, consolidated antipoverty pilot programs intended to improve coordination and work incentives, but it also risks reduced benefits or access for some participants, greater federal centralization and waiver powers, transition costs, and limited geographic testing that could harm vulnerable populations.
State governments receive predictable, multi-year grant and administrative funding to design and run coordinated antipoverty pilots, improving capacity to test reforms.
Pilot rules allow contingency/emergency use of funds and temporary use of existing agency personnel/funds to protect benefit continuity and reduce service interruptions during downturns, disasters, or transitions.
Pilots must include independent, rigorous evaluations that produce causal evidence on employment, earnings, poverty reduction, and program integrity to inform policy decisions.
Individuals enrolled in State pilots are barred from receiving the same federal antipoverty program benefits outside the pilot during the pilot period, which can reduce access and choices for participants.
States may elect to receive a reduced percentage of covered amounts (10–100%), potentially lowering benefits or services for participants compared with prior funding levels.
The requirement to enforce work requirements and measure compliance could raise administrative burdens and risk benefit loss for participants unable to meet work rules.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Consolidates multiple federal antipoverty funding streams into "covered amounts," shifts certain administrative functions to HHS/ACF, and requires proportional transfers to states running pilot projects.
Introduced January 6, 2026 by Blake D. Moore · Last progress January 6, 2026
Creates a framework for consolidating multiple federal antipoverty funding streams into defined “covered amounts,” establishes definitions for antipoverty programs and objectives, and shifts certain program administration and functions into a new Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services (acting through the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families). Requires covered federal agencies to transfer portions of administrative funding to states running pilot projects (based on prior-year funding shares), gives the HHS Secretary broad authority to receive and reorganize transferred functions and resources, and assigns the Office of Management and Budget responsibility for identifying which agency functions transfer.