This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to establish specific annual funding amounts for impact aid programs through 2031. It authorizes $90.3 million for real property acquisition in 2026 (increasing to $150.3 million by 2031), $1.63 billion for basic payments to local schools in 2026 (rising to $2.45 billion by 2031), $60.3 million for children with disabilities in 2026 (growing to $120.3 million by 2031), and $22.9 million for school construction in 2026 (reaching $45.4 million by 2031). These funds directly support school districts affected by federal land ownership or military installations, as defined under impact aid provisions. The bill sets clear, incremental funding targets without changing eligibility rules or program structure.
The Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026 authorizes $20 billion annually from 2027 to 2031 to improve public school facilities nationwide. The bill provides grants to states to fund school construction, renovation, and modernization projects that focus on safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility, with priority given to schools serving high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Funds cannot be used for routine maintenance, athletic facilities, or vehicles, and must meet specific environmental, safety, and energy efficiency standards. The bill also includes specific provisions for repairing school foundations affected by pyrrhotite, a mineral that causes concrete deterioration, and requires use of American-made materials for construction projects.
This bill modifies tax rules for public school bonds to make certain financing more accessible. It allows school districts to issue bonds for building, repairing, or acquiring school facilities (with 100% of funds used for these purposes) and treat them as tax-exempt, reverting to the pre-December 2017 tax treatment. The key provision reopens a prior tax rule that had expired, enabling districts to use advance refunding bonds for school construction without triggering tax penalties. It directly affects public school districts seeking to finance physical school infrastructure through bond financing. The change applies to bonds issued after the bill's enactment date.
This bill requires states receiving federal education funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to maintain funding for school resource officer (SRO) programs in public schools at either their prior year's level or a 5-year average. It directly affects State Educational Agencies (SEAs), which must annually certify compliance by reporting their SRO funding amounts and officer counts. If a state fails to meet the funding requirement without a waiver for emergencies like disasters, the federal government will reduce its future education funding proportionally. The bill includes a waiver option for states facing extraordinary financial hardship but does not change SRO program requirements or definitions.
The Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026 would provide $20 billion annually (2027-2031) to improve public school facilities across the United States. The bill directs funds to states based on previous Title I funding allocations, requiring states to contribute 10% of the funds (with some exceptions) and develop plans for equitable distribution to school districts. Local educational agencies must prioritize schools with high numbers of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and funds can be used for construction, renovation, energy efficiency upgrades, removal of toxic substances, and making facilities accessible. The bill also establishes school infrastructure bonds to leverage private investment and includes specific provisions to repair foundations damaged by pyrrhotite.
This bill creates a tax exclusion for K-12 public school teachers, allowing them to exclude up to $50,000 of their wages from federal income tax. Teachers in schools where 75%+ students qualify for free/reduced lunches, in rural areas, or teaching special education/STEM subjects qualify for a higher exclusion of $65,000. To qualify, teachers must work at least 900 hours in a school year at a public elementary or secondary school (including charter schools). The exclusion applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and requires schools to verify eligibility for the IRS. It directly affects eligible K-12 public school teachers by reducing their taxable income.
This bill mandates increased federal funding for two key education programs. It requires annual appropriations for Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (which supports schools serving disadvantaged students) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, which funds special education) starting in 2026. The bill sets specific, rising annual funding levels - based on a 2025 baseline and national per-student spending - to gradually reach 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for IDEA by 2035. These funds directly affect school districts receiving Title I support and those providing special education services under IDEA. The funding is made mandatory, not discretionary, ensuring consistent annual support for these programs.
The SCHOOL Act of 2025 (HR 2275) changes how federal education funds flow by requiring states to allocate funds based on where students attend school, rather than where the school district is located. It directly affects children aged 5-17 (and students with disabilities under IDEA) enrolled in public, private, or home schools by allowing states to distribute funds through education savings accounts for eligible families. Key provisions include using federal funds for tuition, materials, therapies, and other educational expenses at the family's chosen school, while ensuring funds supplement - rather than replace - existing local resources. The bill explicitly prohibits federal control over private schools and maintains eligibility for programs like free school meals.
HR 869, the Keep Our PACT Act, mandates specific annual funding levels for two key education programs: Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). For Title I, it requires funding in fiscal years 2026-2035 that equals the difference between the 2025 funding level and set annual dollar targets (e.g., $20.5 billion for 2026). For IDEA, it sets mandatory annual funding levels that gradually increase to reach 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for students with disabilities by 2035. The bill directly affects public school districts and students, particularly those with disabilities, by guaranteeing these funding levels rather than relying on annual appropriations.
This bill increases federal funding for school meal programs by adding 45 cents per lunch and 28 cents per breakfast served by school food authorities, effective November 1, 2025. The additional reimbursement applies to all meals served, including free, reduced-price, and paid meals, and will be adjusted annually for inflation starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects public schools and school districts participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs by boosting their per-meal funding. The policy change aims to support meal quality and accessibility without altering eligibility requirements or program administration.
