{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-expand-education-savings-plans-to-skilled-workers", "Daines Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Education Savings Plans to Skilled Workers", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.17\n\t\t\t Daines Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Education Savings Plans to Skilled Workers \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE\u00a0\u2014 U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced bipartisan legislation with Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)\u00a0and\u00a0Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to expand education savings plans to skilled workers to help cover training costs, including, tools, books and equipment.\r\n\u201cMy bill will\u00a0better empower\u00a0people to\u00a0pursue the job they want by removing\u00a0barriers\u00a0like training costs and will give them the support and resources necessary to make them competitive in their\u00a0profession of choice,\u201d\u00a0said Daines.\u00a0\u201cThese are good-paying jobs.\u201d\r\nStatements of Support:\r\n\u201cAn IBEW apprenticeship equipped me with the skills I needed for a good paying and rewarding career. Giving families and apprentices access to 529s can help others change their lives for the better as well.\u201d\u00a0-- John Gordon, IBEW Helena Local 233 Business Manager\r\n\u201cMore than ever, Montana\u2019s economy needs skilled trades workers. This legislation gives individuals more of an incentive to enroll in apprentice programs and help make sure Montana has the skilled workforce we need to thrive and compete in today\u2019s globalized economy.\u201d\u00a0-- Mark Maki, State Training Director for the Montana Electrical Training Alliance\r\n\u201cOur contractors face a severe skilled labor shortage all across the state, and the country; Senator Daines' efforts are common sense and most welcome.\u201d --\u00a0Jim Michlig, Manager/Owner\u00a0 Kalispell Electric Inc., Kalispell\r\n\u201cThe 529 reform offered by Senators Daines is the type of leadership our contractors in Montana need in order to get back to work.\u201d\u00a0-- Curtis Butts, President, Service Electric Inc., Bozeman\u00a0\r\nBackground:\r\n \r\nNamed after Section 529 of the IRS Code, a 529 plan is a tax advantaged savings account intended to be used for higher and continuing education institutions, as well as costs associated with them.\r\nCurrently, Montanans who attend an apprentice program to master the trade are locked out from accessing 529 plan savings. Daines\u2019 bill will give workers who attend an apprenticeship training program over higher education the same access to savings.\r\nDaines\u2019 bill would expand 529 plans to include credited apprenticeship programs for skill-based jobs, including professions like construction, mechanics, plumbing and bricklaying.\r\n \r\nThe Legislation is Supported By:\r\n \r\nConstruction Employers of America?\r\nFCA International?\r\nInternational Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers\r\nInternational Council of Employers of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers\r\nInternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers?\r\nMechanical Contractors Association of America?\r\nNational Electrical Contractors Association?\r\nSheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors\r\nNational Association Signatory Wall and Ceiling Contractors Alliance?The Association of Union Contractors?\r\nUnited Brotherhood of Carpenters\r\n \r\n\u00a0\u00a0\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-expand-education-savings-plans-to-skilled-workers"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6059968620538712, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}