Owens and McBath introduced the CREATES Act to help states build public credential repositories and registries, giving workers, students, and employers clearer information about credentials and career pathways.
Support legislation to help states build public credential repositories and registries.
Occurrences
Congressman Burgess Owens ... today introduced the Modernizing Access to Talents, Credentials, and Hiring Act of 2026 (MATCH Act).
Evidence
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Action listed on GovInfo: "Mrs. McBath (for herself and Mr. Owens) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce." The bill would "require the Secretary of Labor to establish a grant program for States to improve or establish a credential repository."
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GovInfo's official bill record for H.R. 8304 shows the introduced text for the Credential Repository and Transparency in States Act, indicating Burgess Owens backed the measure and that it was introduced and referred to committee rather than enacted.
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GovInfo bill text for H.R. 8304 lists April 15, 2026 introduction by McBath with Owens and states the bill requires Labor grants for states to establish, expand, or improve state credential repositories.
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The House coalition post says McBath and Burgess Owens introduced the CREATES Act, H.R. 8304, to help states build and maintain public credential repositories or registries.
Assessments
Owens materially supported the promised legislation during his current House term by joining Rep. McBath in introducing H.R. 8304, the CREATES Act, on April 15, 2026. The bill's stated purpose is to establish a Labor Department grant program for states to improve or establish public credential repositories, matching the promise. Enactment is not necessary here because the promise was to support legislation, not secure passage.
The promise was to support legislation helping states build public credential repositories and registries, not necessarily to enact such a bill into law. Official bill records show Burgess Owens backed H.R. 8304, the Credential Repository and Transparency in States Act, which would create a federal grant program for states to establish or improve credential repositories. Because Owens took the promised supportive legislative action during his term, the claim counts as delivered in the same term even though the bill had only been introduced and referred to committee.
Owens materially supported the promised type of legislation by joining Rep. McBath in introducing H.R. 8304, which would create a Labor Department grant program for states to establish or improve credential repositories. However, the evidence shows only introduction and referral to committee, not enactment or implementation of a program that helps states build public credential repositories and registries. Because this is a serious legislative attempt during his current federal term but the promised outcome has not been delivered, the appropriate rating is never with an effort badge.