Equitable Access to School Facilities Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced
Summary
Expand federal support for charter school facilities. This bill would create a State Facilities Aid Program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to help states improve charter school facility quality and affordability. It would fund technical assistance, expand access to public buildings, and target low-income and rural communities.
Show full summary
- Charter schools and operators would gain grant and financing tools for acquiring, leasing, renovating, and maintaining buildings, and could use funds for alternative ownership models and reserve accounts. It also removes a prior requirement that set a minimum share for facilities financing assistance.
- State education agencies could compete for grants to stand up or expand state facilities aid programs with selection priorities for equity, public-building access, and rural or low-income areas. The Secretary may reserve up to 2 percent of funds for national technical assistance and evaluation.
- Program rules would allow states to set up revolving loan funds of up to 10 percent for initial operations or facility work, lower a required federal share from 90 percent to 80 percent for certain grants, and require annual reporting for 10 years.
*Would authorize $100 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030 for the program and related activities if appropriated.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Federal grants and help for charters
If enacted, this bill would create a new State Facilities Aid Program. It would authorize $100 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030. The Department of Education would award competitive grants to states to help finance charter school buildings and related costs. Up to 2% could be used for national technical assistance, evaluation, and research, and national programs would be allowed to provide support and share best practices for facility access and authorizer quality.
Loans and repairs for charter buildings
If enacted, the bill would allow states to reserve up to 10% of certain funds to create a revolving loan fund. The fund could lend for initial operations and for obtaining, renovating, or rehabilitating charter school facilities. The bill would also let entities help planned and operating charter schools find buildings and provide one-time help and repair, renovation, or construction to meet local codes and support instruction.
New funding caps and flexibility for charters
If enacted, this bill would cap a statutory allotment at 12.5 percent by inserting "not more than" before 12.5 percent. It would also remove a prior 50% minimum use requirement for certain facilities financing assistance. The bill would lower one required share from 90% to 80%. These changes would shift how states and grantees may allocate federal education facility funds.
10-year reports for prior grantees
If enacted, entities that received grants under the specified subsection before enactment would have to file annual reports to the Secretary for 10 years after their award. Reports must describe the entity's operations and activities under the section, excluding the prior subsection (k).
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
LA • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Tommy Tuberville
AL • R
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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