Report on use of new research and tools in recipient selection and program measurement

(a) Report Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare a report that— (1) describes how the data, benchmarks, and forecasts developed or collected pursuant to this Act will be incorporated into the selection or performance measurement criteria of— (A) programs of formula and competitive grants under title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.); (B) apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, and training programs involving grants, administered by the Secretary; and (C) other grant programs administered by and determined to be appropriate by the Secretary; (2) identifies statutory or regulatory barriers, if any, to using such data, benchmarks, and forecasting tools in selecting grant recipients for and measuring results of the programs described in paragraph (1); (3) describes how the Secretary will support States, localities, and other applicants for funding for the programs, to utilize the data, benchmarks, and forecasts to improve their funding applications and program performance measures; and (4) provides recommendations on timelines, responsible offices, and resource needs for incorporation, as described in paragraph (1). (b) Consultation In preparing the report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with the Workforce Information Advisory Council and consider input obtained through the activities required under title I. (c) Submission The Secretary shall submit the report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives. (d) Publication Not later than 30 days after submitting the report under subsection (c), the Secretary shall make the report available on a publicly accessible website of the Department of Labor, in a machine-readable and accessible format. (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $500,000 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.