A Bill Related to Workforce–ABI’s Top Priority–Passes House

HF 2458, the Future Ready Iowa bill introduced by the Governor and floor managed by Rep. Peter Cownie, passed unanimously out of the House chamber this week. The bill, which garnered overwhelming support and is a top priority of ABI, will help close the skills gap and ensure a strong workforce for Iowa companies. The legislation aims to accomplish the recommendations set out by the Future Ready Iowa Alliance, a committee on which many ABI members served. The bill includes incentives for industries to create additional apprenticeships and scholarships to encourage more people to enter the workforce in high-demand fields. Some changes requested by community colleges were made to the bill on the floor. The bill also advanced out of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee and Committee and so clears the second funnel.