Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9611
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-07-09: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T10:23:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9611: Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education Act
Purpose
This legislation aims to transfer oversight of specific postsecondary education programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor. It also repeals certain existing programs to streamline federal management of higher education initiatives.
Key Provisions
- Transfers of Functions: Moves authority for 20 listed programs and related activities from the Secretary of Education to the Secretary of Labor (via the Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training). These include:
- Augustus F. Hawkins Center of Excellence Program.
- Various Strengthening Institutions programs under Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (excluding certain sections).
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities programs and capital financing.
- Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program.
- Federal TRIO Programs.
- Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP).
- Programs for migrant and seasonal farmworker students.
- Title V programs.
- Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need.
- Masters degree programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions.
- Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education.
- Programs for students with disabilities.
- Centers for veteran student success and modeling/simulation programs.
- Functions related to Howard University.
- Certain congressionally funded community projects.
- Repeals: Eliminates the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program, Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program, College Access Challenge Grant Program, and Project Grad program.
- Administrative Rules: Allows the Secretary of Labor to exercise prior authorities, transfers personnel/assets/appropriations, and requires the Office of Management and Budget to prevent any net increase in federal full-time equivalent employees. Updates references in laws to reflect the Department of Labor. Includes savings clauses to preserve ongoing legal actions, grants, and proceedings.
- Effective Date: Takes effect 6 months after enactment, with early implementation allowed for transfers.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Shifts administration of multiple Higher Education Act programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor.
- Repeals four specific federal grant and scholarship programs previously authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Consolidates certain education functions under the Department of Labor, potentially aligning them with workforce training efforts. Requires no overall growth in federal staffing across affected agencies.
- On Citizens: May alter how students, institutions, and program participants access support for postsecondary education, particularly in areas like TRIO, GEAR UP, and minority-serving institutions, though existing benefits and proceedings continue uninterrupted.
- On International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies, primarily the Department of Education and Department of Labor.
- Postsecondary institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and those serving students with disabilities or veterans.
- Students and families participating in transferred programs such as TRIO, GEAR UP, and graduate assistance initiatives.
- Congress, through oversight of appropriations and program administration.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Establishes a major inter-agency reorganization via statutory transfer of functions, with explicit rules for continuity of contracts, lawsuits, and regulations to avoid disruption.
- Includes provisions for the Office of Management and Budget to make determinations on transfers and ensure compliance, potentially raising questions about executive branch coordination.
- Maintains all prior legal rights and proceedings, ensuring no abatement of suits or loss of benefits during the transition.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-07-09: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-07-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-07-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Less Bureaucracy, Better Higher Education Act — issued 2026-07-09 — PDF (13 pages)