Panel reviews substitute to increase transparency and planning for opportunity youth programs
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Summary
A committee substitute to Senate Bill 11-43 would require reporting and strategic planning for workforce programs serving youth (expanded to ages 14–24) and notification to local boards of major job-creation projects; witnesses urged better data and coordination and the committee left the substitute pending.
The committee considered a committee substitute to Senate Bill 11-43 aimed at strengthening services and coordination for opportunity youth — young people not in school and not employed. The substitute narrows reporting to ages 14–24 and limits reporting to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth programs to avoid a fiscal note.
Senator Blanco — presenting the substitute — said nearly 14% of Texans ages 16–24 (about 500,000 people) are disconnected and that disconnected youth experience lower earnings over time. The bill would require local workforce development boards to develop strategies with goals and performance measures for opportunity youth and require reporting to increase transparency on how federal WIOA youth funds are used.
Witnesses from the Texas Opportunity Youth Network and local service organizations testified in favor. Caroline Roberts said the change requires “3 simple changes” — tracking how federal funds are used for young adults, requiring local boards to develop strategies, and notifying local workforce boards about large-scale subsidized job creation so boards can prepare. Hannah Gourgi and Courtney Chavez offered examples of regional programs and said better transparency would allow for replication of effective practices. Mary York from the Texas Workforce Commission appeared as a resource witness.
The committee took testimony and left the substitute pending.