Bills · S 309
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 309Academic performance and assessmentsState and local finance
A PLUS Act
INTRO JAN 29· LAST ACTION JAN 29
READING
8MIN
COSPONSORS
12
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it represents a significant shift in power over education spending from the federal government to individual states. If passed, it could lead to states developing more innovative or tailored education programs that better fit their specific local needs and priorities, rather than adhering to a one-size-fits-all federal approach. This could potentially reduce bureaucracy and administrative costs, freeing up more resources for direct classroom use.
However, it also means less federal oversight and fewer national standards for how certain education funds are used. Voters should care because it will determine whether federal education dollars are spent according to national priorities for specific programs (like literacy initiatives or teacher training) or if states get broad discretion to decide where those funds are most needed within their borders. It could lead to different educational outcomes and resource allocations depending on the state a student lives in, potentially improving or diminishing support for particular student groups or programs.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Allows states to submit a 'declaration of intent' to combine certain federal education funds.
This gives states the option to pool multiple federal funding streams, removing the original, stricter federal spending rules for each program.
PROVISION 02
States can then use these combined funds for any educational purpose allowed by state law, excluding funds from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
This grants states broad discretion over how federal education dollars are spent, rather than dictating specific uses for each program.
PROVISION 03
States must assure accountability to parents and citizens, comply with civil rights laws, seek to advance opportunities for the disadvantaged, and use federal funds to supplement, not supplant, state funding.
These assurances are intended to ensure that despite increased flexibility, states still use the funds responsibly and for their intended beneficiaries.
PROVISION 04
The Secretary of Education must review a state's declaration within 60 days; if no action is taken, the declaration is automatically approved.
This provision prevents federal delays from holding up a state's ability to implement its new funding approach.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 12
R· Montana
YRS IN OFFICE
13
BILLS LED
65
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 12 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 29
Introduced in Senate
JAN 29
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 309
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 29, 2025
Last actionJan 29, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 29, 2025
Senate BillS 309Academic performance and assessmentsState and local finance
A PLUS Act
INTRODUCED JAN 29, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 29, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
8 min
COSPONSORS
12
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
