HB 291, the CAREERS Act, would amend the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant program to broaden and refocus its workforce-development mission in rural communities. The bill expands eligible applicants and program structures to include institutions of higher education, area career and technical education schools, career pathway programs, and industry or sector partnerships. It also adds new definitions tied to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and requires that career pathway efforts be coordinated with local workforce development boards.
The bill directs RISE grants toward programs that address rural workforce shortages and support targeted skills development in sectors such as broadband and telecommunications, water and wastewater services, electric utilities, conservation, health care, child care, manufacturing, and agribusiness. It also updates program reporting to capture outcomes like skills attainment, postsecondary credentials, employment, and earnings, and extends the authorization period from 2025 through 2030. The Secretary of Agriculture would determine the effective date, but no later than one year after enactment.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend 7 U.S.C. 2008w, the statutory section governing the RISE grant program, by expanding the types of entities that can participate and by changing the purposes and reporting requirements for grants. It would shift the program more explicitly toward workforce training, career pathways, and sector partnerships in rural areas, while requiring coordination with local workforce boards and adding performance measures tied to employment and earnings outcomes. The bill would also extend the program’s authorization window through 2030, affecting USDA grant administration and rural education/workforce stakeholders.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally positive, bipartisan support for the bill’s goals. The measure was introduced by Representatives Langworthy and Tokuda, indicating cross-party sponsorship, and the text frames the bill as a rural development and workforce access measure rather than a partisan policy change. No committee transcript or recorded votes were provided, so there is no evidence of formal opposition in the available record.
Contention
No specific points of contention appear in the provided materials because there are no committee transcripts or votes to show debate. Based on the bill text, the most likely areas of discussion would be the expansion of USDA’s rural grant program into workforce training, the inclusion of specific industries, and the added reporting and coordination requirements for grantees and local workforce boards. However, no stakeholder objections or amendments are documented in the supplied context.
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow for the approval of an abbreviated new drug application submitted by a subsequent applicant in the case of a failure by a first applicant to commence commercial marketing within a certain period, and for other purposes.