Bynum Unveils ‘K-30’ Legislative Agenda Aimed At Young Oregonians’ Top Priorities

In an effort to confront the rising economic pressures on young Americans, U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR) launched her signature “K-30” agenda on Monday at the West Linn Public Library. The package includes 16 bills focused on three of the most urgent challenges facing the next generation: affordable housing, quality education, and access to stable, well-paying jobs.

The K-30 agenda includes six housing bills, five education bills, and five jobs-focused bills. Seven of the proposals have bipartisan sponsorship, underscoring what Bynum described as “a shared national responsibility” to support young people through pivotal life stages.

“My work has always been a love letter to Oregon’s children,” Bynum said. “We need to make sure that every child has access to a high-quality education, that there are good-paying jobs available when they graduate, and that when they get one of those jobs, they don’t need to wait another 20 years to buy a home.”

Before the announcement, Bynum hosted a listening session with young Oregonians, including high school students, recent graduates, and young parents. Many described feeling underprepared and unsupported in education, priced out of housing markets, and left behind in a shifting job landscape. Bynum said their stories shaped the priorities of K-30.

The housing pillar includes both demand- and supply-side strategies to make homeownership more attainable. The Supporting Projects to Unleash Residential (SPUR) Housing Act proposes a $1.5 billion grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help developers offset local taxes and impact fees—but only if local governments match the support.

The First-Time Home Buyers Match Act creates a pilot program to offer matching funds through individual development accounts, helping low- and middle-income earners save for their first home. Acknowledging permitting delays as a barrier to supply, the bipartisan Accelerating Homebuilding Act would fund the creation of standardized, pre-approved building designs to cut construction timelines and costs.

The Homebuilder Corps Act allocates $200 million for residential construction training within Job Corps, pairing industry-focused education with retention grants for small- and mid-sized homebuilders who hire program graduates. The bipartisan Appraisal Industry Improvement Act tackles the national shortage of certified home appraisers by supporting state licensing programs and reducing regulatory burdens, especially in rural areas. Finally, the Homeless Children and Youth Act expands federal definitions to ensure unhoused youth can access services currently unavailable to many.

In education, Bynum’s proposals address cost barriers, staffing shortages, and mental health access. The Invest in Rural Teachers Act establishes Department of Education grants for signing and retention bonuses in rural districts, aiming to improve both recruitment and continuity in underserved areas.

The Application Fees as Eligible Expenses (FEES) Act would allow families to use 529 College Savings Plans to pay for college and trade school application fees, an often overlooked cost that can deter first-generation applicants. The School Bus Stop-Arm Safety Camera Act directs the Department of Transportation to help school districts install safety cameras to catch and deter motorists illegally passing stopped school buses.

To address growing concerns about youth mental health, Bynum introduced the Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act, which funds school-based mental health coordination efforts. Supported by major school and social work associations, the bill prioritizes underserved districts. Additionally, Bynum co-sponsored the IDEA Full Funding Act, a bipartisan effort to fulfill the long-unmet federal promise to fully fund special education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

The jobs pillar includes legislation that targets rural labor shortages, supports small business capital, and promotes future-focused industries. The Rural Service and Workforce Corps Act proposes a “service-for-benefits” model, offering student loan relief and wage incentives in exchange for a three-year commitment to work in high-need sectors such as health care, trades, infrastructure, and utilities in rural communities.

The CHIPS Child Care Act aligns with the growth of the U.S. semiconductor industry, offering child care subsidies and infrastructure grants to support workforce development in expanding tech hubs. The Leveraging Investment in Mass Building and Employment with Renewable (LIMBER) Timber Act provides tax incentives for companies investing in the U.S. mass timber industry and its workforce, combining sustainable development with job creation.

To help entrepreneurs and small businesses access financing, Bynum introduced the bipartisan Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act, which requires the SEC to report on capital access challenges in rural areas. It passed the House in June. Also passed that month, the bipartisan Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act makes it easier for Business Development Companies to raise funds, giving small and mid-sized firms increased access to nontraditional financing.

The K-30 platform reflects Bynum’s most ambitious legislative effort to date and responds directly to the affordability, education, and workforce challenges raised by young Oregonians.

“As I head back to D.C., I’ll be armed with the stories I heard today,” she said. “I’ll continue fighting for young Oregonians and Americans who deserve opportunity, not obstacles, as they build their futures.”