Equitable Access to School Facilities Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 7086
REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 7086Educational facilities and institutionsState and local government operations
Equitable Access to School Facilities Act
INTRO JAN 15· LAST ACTION JUN 2
READING
10MIN
COSPONSORS
10BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because facility costs are often one of the biggest challenges for charter schools, sometimes making it hard for them to open or grow, especially in areas with high real estate costs. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more charter schools being built or existing ones being improved, potentially creating more educational options for families and better learning environments for students.
Without this bill, charter schools in many states might continue to struggle to find suitable, affordable facilities, potentially limiting their ability to expand or serve more students. By offering federal incentives, the bill encourages states to take a more active role in supporting charter school facility needs, which could make a tangible difference in school quality and availability.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Amends the State Facilities Aid Program to authorize competitive grants for State entities.
This creates a new mechanism for states to receive federal funding specifically for supporting charter school facilities.
PROVISION 02
Grants are awarded to state entities with high-quality applications that propose activities to improve charter school facility quality and affordability.
It directs federal funds towards states committed to actively addressing charter school facility challenges.
PROVISION 03
Prioritizes grants to states that provide charter schools with access to tax-exempt financing, equitable land use policies, or prohibit restrictions on purchasing surplus public property.
This incentivizes states to adopt specific policies that directly benefit charter schools' access to facilities.
PROVISION 04
Funds can be used for increasing financing for facility acquisition, leasing, renovation, ongoing costs, or supporting alternative ownership models for charter schools.
It provides flexibility for states to use funds for various critical facility needs of charter schools.
PROVISION 05
The federal share of grant costs is capped at 60%, and grants are awarded for periods of up to 5 years.
This sets the financial contribution limits and duration for federal support, requiring significant state or local matching funds.
This bill matters because facility costs are often one of the biggest challenges for charter schools, sometimes making it hard for them to open or grow, especially in areas with high real estate costs. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more charter schools being built or existing ones being improved, potentially creating more educational options for families and better learning environments for students.
Without this bill, charter schools in many states might continue to struggle to find suitable, affordable facilities, potentially limiting their ability to expand or serve more students. By offering federal incentives, the bill encourages states to take a more active role in supporting charter school facility needs, which could make a tangible difference in school quality and availability.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Amends the State Facilities Aid Program to authorize competitive grants for State entities.
This creates a new mechanism for states to receive federal funding specifically for supporting charter school facilities.
high
Grants are awarded to state entities with high-quality applications that propose activities to improve charter school facility quality and affordability.
It directs federal funds towards states committed to actively addressing charter school facility challenges.
med
Prioritizes grants to states that provide charter schools with access to tax-exempt financing, equitable land use policies, or prohibit restrictions on purchasing surplus public property.
This incentivizes states to adopt specific policies that directly benefit charter schools' access to facilities.
high
Funds can be used for increasing financing for facility acquisition, leasing, renovation, ongoing costs, or supporting alternative ownership models for charter schools.
It provides flexibility for states to use funds for various critical facility needs of charter schools.
med
The federal share of grant costs is capped at 60%, and grants are awarded for periods of up to 5 years.
This sets the financial contribution limits and duration for federal support, requiring significant state or local matching funds.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Charter school
A public school that operates independently from the local school board, often with more flexibility in its operations, but is held accountable for student results.
State entity
Refers to a state-level organization, such as a state education agency, that is authorized to apply for and administer federal education grants.
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)
A major federal law that provides funding to K-12 schools and aims to ensure all children have access to a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education.
Reserve account
A special fund set aside by a state entity that can be used to help charter schools with financing or guaranteeing loans for facilities.
Federal share
The portion of a program's cost that is paid for by the federal government, often requiring the recipient to cover the remaining 'non-Federal share'.
Supplement, not supplant
A legal requirement meaning that federal funds must add to, and not replace, existing non-federal funds for a specific program or activity.
ACTION TIMELINE
10 EVENTS
JUN 2
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-672.
COMMITTEE
JUN 2
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 586.
CALENDARS
JAN 21
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
COMMITTEE
JAN 21
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.