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Youth‑backed bill would create statewide digital platform for workforce opportunities; committee approves author's amendment and lays the bill over
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Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony from young leaders and advocates on House File 3004 to create a centralized digital platform for internships, apprenticeships and entry‑level jobs. The committee approved an A3 author's amendment converting a direct appropriation to a competitive grant and laid the bill over for further budget consideration.
Representative Hussain introduced House File 3004, a bill that would create a statewide digital platform to centralize workforce opportunities for students and young people and improve access to internships, apprenticeships and entry‑level jobs.
Representative Hussain said the bill addresses an "awareness challenge" where students often find opportunities only through personal connections rather than a central portal. Youth testifiers from Catalyst for Systems Change described how fragmented information and outreach limit young people's access to career pathways.
Samia Mohammed (youth policy intern, Catalyst for Systems Change) testified that many rural and urban students aged 15–23 lack a single place to find internships and training. Mitri Reeder (senior; awardee of the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award) described how access to early opportunities shaped personal educational and civic paths and urged lawmakers to vote for the platform.
Khalik Rogers (executive director, Catalyst for Systems Change) and Joe Nathan (educator and researcher) advocated for a small appropriation to engage youth in 2027 and referenced the 2015 statewide 'attainment goal' effort to emphasize the need for better use of existing programs and outreach.
The committee considered and approved an A3 author's amendment that (1) converted the proposed grant into a competitive grant program and (2) moved any FY2026 appropriation into FY2027. The A3 amendment was moved and approved by voice vote. Chair Pinto laid HF3004 over for additional budget discussion and follow‑up; no final vote on the bill occurred at this hearing.
"When young people feel unsafe or disconnected, they're disengaged from experiences that shape their future," said Khalik Rogers, urging lawmakers to support the bill’s goals of access and inclusion.
Next steps: committee staff and the bill author will follow up on budget options and the committee will revisit the bill in future hearings.
