The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5159, aims to establish a journalism fellowship program funded by the Office of Higher Education. Effective July 1, 2026, the program will provide funding for at least twelve journalism fellowships at local news organizations within the state. The bill outlines specific requirements for the fellowships, including mentorship opportunities, direct work experience, and professional networking. To qualify for these fellowships, individuals must graduate from a journalism degree program at a public institution of higher education in the state and be approved by the local news organization offering the fellowship.

Additionally, the Office of Higher Education is mandated to publish detailed information about the fellowship program on its website by September 1, 2026. This information will include a description of the program, funding amounts, eligibility criteria, and application forms. The bill does not propose any deletions from existing law but introduces new legal language to establish the fellowship program and its requirements. The overall purpose of the bill is to support journalism graduates and enhance local news organizations through funded fellowship positions.