Equitable Access to School Facilities Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7086

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Education

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-06-02: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 586.

Last Updated

2026-07-08T21:20:27Z

AI-Generated Summary

Equitable Access to School Facilities Act (H.R. 7086)

Purpose

This legislation aims to help states create or expand policies that improve the quality and affordability of facilities for charter schools. It also supports technical assistance to promote the growth of high-quality charter schools through amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

Key Provisions

• State Facilities Aid Program (Section 2): Authorizes competitive grants to state entities for up to 5 years to fund activities such as increasing charter schools' access to financing for facilities, supporting ongoing facilities costs, and developing alternative ownership models. Grants require applications detailing involvement of charter schools, evaluation expertise, and plans to reduce access gaps, especially for low-income and rural areas. Priority goes to states with certain policies, like tax-exempt financing access or equal treatment in land use.
• Use of Funds and Shares: States must use grants to supplement, not replace, non-federal funds. The federal share covers up to 60% of costs, with options for partnerships to cover the rest. Up to 5% of funds may support evaluations and technical assistance. A reserve account option allows deposits for facilities activities.
• No Federal Interest (Section 3): Adds a new section clarifying that funds under this part do not create a federal interest, avoiding certain recording and reporting requirements under federal regulations.
• Credit Enhancement Reporting (Section 4): Requires annual reports for 10 years after receiving a grant under the credit enhancement program.
• Grants for High-Quality Charter Schools (Section 5): Allows states to use up to 10% of funds for a revolving loan fund to support charter school operations and facilities. Reduces the required subgrant allocation from 90% to 80%. Expands allowable uses to include locating facilities, ensuring building code compliance, and repairs or renovations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands the State Facilities Aid Program with new application requirements, priorities based on state policies, and specific activities for facilities improvement.
• Introduces a "no federal interest" provision to streamline fund management.
• Modifies grant reporting timelines and subgrant percentages, while adding flexibility for loan funds and facilities-related assistance.
• Applies most changes only to grants awarded after the bill's enactment.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: State education agencies and entities may gain more tools to support charter schools but must meet new application and priority criteria. The Department of Education would administer competitive grants and oversee compliance.
• On Citizens: Charter school operators and students, particularly in low-income or rural communities, could see improved access to suitable facilities, potentially leading to more charter school options.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts identified in the legislation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• State entities (such as state education agencies or charter school authorizing boards).
• Charter schools and their operators.
• Local educational agencies partnering on facilities access.
• Organizations that may partner with states for non-federal share contributions.
• Students and families in charter schools, especially those in underserved areas.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• The "no federal interest" clause may reduce administrative burdens related to federal property rules, potentially simplifying grant management without creating new federal oversight.
• Changes emphasize state-level policy alignment, such as equal treatment of charter schools in financing and land use, which could influence state-local relations.
• The legislation maintains a focus on supplementing existing funds, avoiding supplanting requirements that could affect state budgeting.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]

Cosponsors (10)

Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8], Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-02: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 586.
• 2026-06-02: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-672.
• 2026-06-02: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-672.
• 2026-01-21: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.
• 2026-01-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2026-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-15: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Equitable Access to School Facilities Act — issued 2026-01-15 — PDF (13 pages)
• Equitable Access to School Facilities Act — issued 2026-06-02 — PDF (16 pages)