Innovation Agenda
The Innovation Agenda, authored by hundreds of Gen Z and millennial state legislators, serves as a roadmap for how lawmakers can collaborate on public policy solutions to confront critical issues that American voters care about.
A Purpose and Path Forward to Lawmaking
The Innovation Agenda is a biennial report that highlights examples of innovation, bipartisan success, and emerging opportunities being discussed among young lawmakers and proposed in statehouses across the country. Informed by principles of strategic foresight and futures thinking, the agenda reflects the areas where young leaders see the greatest potential for long-term, resilient impact that can adapt to shifting social, economic, and technological realities. By grounding their work in strategic foresight and futures thinking, young lawmakers are not only responding to today’s challenges but actively shaping the conditions for a healthier, more resilient democracy over the next 250 years.
The information that we gathered proves that generational realities for Gen Z and millennials shape not only what young Americans care about but also what young lawmakers prioritize when drafting legislation.
Policy Pillars
POLICY PILLARS FOR INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
CIVIC INNOVATION
Future Caucus and its young lawmakers are committed to expanding this trust by championing civic innovation, modernizing political systems, increasing transparency, and increasing participation. Contrary to the belief that democracy reform is polarizing, most young legislators see broad, bipartisan potential to improve how government works. Through practical improvements to civic engagement, election processes, and institutional responsiveness, they are building a more accessible, representative, and future-ready democracy.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
Young lawmakers in Future Caucus are leading the charge on criminal justice reform, guided by a belief in people’s capacity to change and contribute positively to society. They are advancing bipartisan, comprehensive legislation to address prison overcrowding, reduce nonviolent incarceration, and reform policing practices. These efforts not only create pathways for individuals to rebuild their lives but also strengthen public trust in a justice system that reflects fairness, opportunity, and the potential for transformation.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Young lawmakers across the country have introduced hundreds of alternative technology and energy infrastructure measures in recent years as states explore innovative ways to best harness new energy possibilities. These initiatives are increasing energy independence, improving infrastructure resilience, reducing carbon emissions, and creating new careers.
FUTURE OF WORK
The American economy is changing rapidly and so is the nature of work. The expansion of remote, gig, and independent work is changing how individuals and employers interact and relate to one another. Automation, trade disruption, and the growth of the information economy have all put pressure on American businesses and the American workforce. Factoring into this environment are the risks and opportunities posed by new technology and generative AI platforms, which are accelerating the pace of change. Young Americans acutely feel these issues. State legislators are ideally positioned to ensure their communities are prepared for the disruption, creating pathways to new jobs, while also taking care to address the needs of young people entering the workforce, and others already in it.
HEALTHCARE
In recent years, Future Caucus legislators have led bipartisan efforts to support mental health, promote the use of food as a form of medicine, and support community health initiatives. These efforts reflect a broader understanding that health is shaped not only by clinical care, but also by the conditions in which people are born, grow, and live, which are critical contributors to health. As this report highlights, young lawmakers view these root factors as a powerful opportunity for innovation, where policy can lay the foundations of health early in life and create lasting, equitable outcomes for future generations.
HOUSING
Availability of affordable housing is a challenge facing many communities, with a reported shortage of over 4.5 million homes across the United States. This is particularly true for young Americans trying to enter the housing market. Over half (55%) of adults aged 18 to 34 say it’s much harder for them to buy a home than it was for their parents. This plays a key role in shaping young adults’ opportunities — affecting their chances to find steady jobs, continue their education, and live independently. The burden extends beyond home ownership. Over 21 million renter households, including up to 60 percent of young adults, spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs, making it difficult to pay other bills and save for future purchases, including housing. Future Caucus lawmakers are leading bipartisan efforts to expand housing options, increase affordability, and strengthen community supports, ensuring young people can access safe, stable, and sustainable homes while building the foundation for long-term economic and personal growth.
EXPLORE THE FULL 2026 INNOVATION AGENDA
METHODOLOGY
Over the past several years, the Innovation Lab collected over 520 inputs, including surveys, breakout sessions, Innovation Fellowship discussions, landscape analysis, and individual conversations. As part of this process, Future Caucus surveyed and collected detailed issue-area rankings from 234 unique Gen Z and millennial legislators, including 171 Democrats and 61 Republicans and 2 independent/other.
Through this multi-method approach, we identified the issue areas where young lawmakers see bipartisan promise and generational impact. These insights are a unique asset that the Future Caucus possesses, revealing a comprehensive map of what young lawmakers across the country value most. They not only inform the Innovation Agenda but also guide Innovation Lab staff in identifying the expert partners and programming that young lawmakers value most.
A Special Thank You to Our Contributors
Future Caucus would like to thank and acknowledge our expert partners, without whom this report would not be possible. First of all, thank you to the Future Caucus lawmaker members who shared insights and information with us about the work they do in their states, as well as their policy interests.
A special thank-you to our policy experts: Emily Hamilton, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center, Andrew Mikula, Chief Housing Economist at Pioneer Institute, Sarah Anderson, Associate Director for the Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties at RStreet, Alasdair Whitney, Legislative Counsel at Institute for Justice, Crystal Weise, Policy & Programs Director at the AFL-CIO Tech Institute, Jaimie Cavanaugh, Senior State Policy Counsel, Pacific Legal Foundation, Tom Moore, Senior Fellow at The Center for American Progress, Elisabeth Burak, Senior Fellow at the Georgetown Center for Children and Families, and Laura Kellams, Director at the Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families.
Finally, thank you to Weber Moore Partners, LLC for their support in compiling this report.
Curious how policy priorities have shifted over the years?
2024 Innovation Agenda
Take a look at our inaugural Innovation Agenda!
A Special Thank You to the Contributors of the 2024 Innovation Agenda
Future Caucus would like to thank and acknowledge our expert partners without whom this report would not be possible. First of all, thank you to Chidi Jenkins and the team at Ascend at the Aspen Institute for your integral support of this project. Thank you to Soren Dayton of the Niskanen Center, Jason Grill of Right to Start, Eli Lehrer of R Street, Henry Honorof of Welcoming Neighbors Network, Speaker of the House of New Mexico Representative Javier Martínez of Abriendo Puertas Opening Doors, and Ben Dahan of Planet Reimagined for your expert review of our work. Finally, thank you to Weber Moore Partners, LL for their support in compiling this report.
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