Bills · S 3710
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3710Education
SOAR Permanent Authorization Act
INTRO JAN 28· LAST ACTION JAN 28
READING
8MIN
COSPONSORS
1
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 aims to provide more stability and flexibility for a program that offers educational choices to D.C. students. By allowing grant renewals without a new competitive process and broadening options for pre-kindergarten, it could help ensure the scholarship program continues to operate with fewer interruptions and reaches younger students. The increased funding for tutoring directly addresses academic needs, potentially offering critical support to students who are struggling, especially those from underperforming schools.
Additionally, the new schedule for regular, public evaluations means there will be consistent oversight to determine if the program is achieving its goals in terms of academic progress and educational success. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more widespread access to private pre-kindergarten and tutoring services, as well as a more streamlined and accountable scholarship program. If it doesn't pass, the program would continue under existing rules, which might mean more administrative hurdles for grant recipients and potentially fewer options for pre-kindergarten and academic support.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Allows grants to be renewed for up to five additional years without a competitive application process, if deemed appropriate by the Secretary to maintain program continuity.
This provides greater stability for organizations administering scholarships and participating schools, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring continuous service.
PROVISION 02
Extends the use of scholarship funds to include pre-kindergarten programs, rather than starting at kindergarten.
This expands educational access for younger children in D.C., allowing families to use scholarships earlier in a child's education.
PROVISION 03
Increases funding for additional student academic assistance, specifically tutoring services, by $200,000 and prioritizes students from D.C.'s lowest-performing schools.
This provides critical academic support to students who need it most, targeting resources to improve outcomes in struggling schools.
PROVISION 04
Requires the Institute of Education Sciences to conduct rigorous evaluations of the program and issue public reports every seven years, starting January 1, 2028.
This ensures ongoing accountability and transparency for the scholarship program, allowing the public to see its effectiveness and impact on academic progress.
PROVISION 05
Expands the residency requirement for board members of eligible entities from the District of Columbia to the broader Washington metropolitan region.
This widens the pool of potential board members, potentially bringing more diverse expertise to organizations managing the scholarship program.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
R· Wisconsin
YRS IN OFFICE
15
BILLS LED
22
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 28
Introduced in Senate
JAN 28
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 3710
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 28, 2026
Last actionJan 28, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 28, 2026
Senate BillS 3710Education
SOAR Permanent Authorization Act
INTRODUCED JAN 28, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 28, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
8 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
