FLEX Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]
In Committee
Summary
Expanded flexibility and funding for federal charter school programs. This bill would reshape grant rules, broaden allowable uses, and change how federal charter funds are allocated.
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- Restructures funding to raise minimum reservations and to direct remaining dollars to charter school facilities, national activities, and program administration.
- Expands grant authority to cover additions and expansions at high-quality charter schools, including new programs, personalized learning, and new delivery models. It also allows planning windows up to two years and broadens who and what can receive subgrants, including certain single-sex education options.
- Requires the Department to solicit input from charter school operators before proposed rulemaking and limits nonstatutory regulatory burdens to reduce paperwork. It broadens the definition of education under state law and applies the rules to new grants, with an opt-in choice for some existing grantees to use the new rules for their remaining period.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
More things charter grants can pay for
If enacted, the bill would let charter grant money pay for more school needs. Grants could fund technical assistance and its costs, new academic programs and delivery models that add seats, digital and online curricular subscriptions, renovations and portable classrooms needed to meet laws, and hiring and paying teachers, leaders, and specialist staff. The bill would also remove some labels that previously limited certain costs. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
State must address charter transportation
If enacted, the bill would require a State entity that gives subgrants to make sure each charter school receiving those funds addresses its students' transportation needs. If your child's charter gets a State subgrant, the State would have to ensure transportation is provided. This change would take effect upon enactment.
Limit rules and require operator input
If enacted, the bill would limit rulemaking under the charter program to only what is needed for administration and bar extra nonstatutory requirements on charter schools and State entities. It would require the Secretary to consult charter school operators before issuing proposed rules. The bill would also say nothing in the part prohibits single‑sex classes or schools. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Changes to charter grant application rules
If enacted, the bill would relax several subgrant and national grant application rules. States could allow planning and program design periods up to two years. Applicants would give an initial projection of schools to open, but a State could use a different allocation method. A recent state charter authorization could stand in for a separate subgrant application. The bill would also make some State duties to award subgrants discretionary rather than required and say certain activities must be carried out during the grant period. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
New set‑asides for charter funds
If enacted, the bill would raise minimum set‑asides for the charter program to at least 15%, at least 25%, and at least 30%. From the second set‑aside, no more than 10% could be used for certain national activities. The remainder after that would fund state subgrants and competitive grants for States that did not get a national grant, with any leftover used for facilities, national activities, and other grants as the Secretary decides. These rules would apply to the Secretary's yearly reservations.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]
PA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 1/20/2026
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1]
WI • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/9/2026
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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