Senator Pate presented Senate File 818 on behalf of Block Builders Foundation, asking the committee to consider state support for the foundation's 12‑week financial‑literacy and job‑preparation program for teenagers.

The foundation's executive director, Derek Spencer, told the committee, “Our mission is to help young people build brighter financially secure futures by equipping them with essential financial and life skills.” He said the program served 40 youth in 2024, graduated 40 participants, and placed 30 in jobs “with the hourly rate... between 14 and $15 an hour.”

Ebony Sampson, who developed the financial‑literacy curriculum used in the program, described the instructional approach: “The first half of our program covers core financial principles like budgeting, saving, and understanding debt and credit. The second half is focused on applying these skills to real life scenarios.” Sampson told the committee the curriculum covers budgeting, savings, banking, credit and debt management, and frameworks for financial decision‑making.

Amira Watkins, the program's head instructor, described the program's job‑training sequence: “Week 8 centers on job specific skills development offering hands on training in areas like customer service, retail and technology.... Week 11, participants prepare for a job placement, with final resume reviews, interview prep, and job application submissions, potentially receiving job offers.” Watkins said the course culminates in a graduation ceremony and that, for the most recent course, 40 participants graduated and 30 received job placements.

Committee members pressed for more financial detail and oversight. Senators asked whether the Block Builders Foundation had filed IRS Form 990 (it had not), how much of last year's $50,000 state award came from the state versus private sources (Spencer said roughly $50,000 was the state reimbursement grant and about $14,000 was raised privately), and how much of the previous appropriation had been spent (Spencer said those operating numbers were submitted to the grant manager but were not read into the record).

Spencer said the foundation gave $500 stipends to every participant who completed the program, and that last year $20,000 of the $50,000 went to those stipends. He added the organization is seeking a larger, multiyear appropriation because of increased demand, limited classroom space, transportation barriers and the need to expand staffing capacity and partnerships.

Committee members asked for additional documentation before making funding decisions, including audited financials, a clarified budget and more complete outcome measures (e.g., number of certificates awarded, employers engaged in placement). The chair noted the bill will be “laid over for possible inclusion” and staff may follow up for additional materials.

The committee did not take a final vote on SF 818 at the hearing.