FLEX Act
Sponsored By: Representative Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]
In Committee
Summary
Would expand federal flexibility and funding to grow high-quality charter schools. It would raise minimum set-asides, broaden what grants can pay for, allow advance payments and longer planning, and cut nonstatutory paperwork to speed expansion and program design.
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- Families and students: Would support more charter seats and new programs that add enrollment and offerings, including curricular innovations, personalized learning, transportation, rural-serving schools, students with disabilities, and single-sex options where allowed.
- State education agencies and charter operators: Would let states fund expansion, hiring, curricular subscriptions, facility renovations, portable classrooms, and ongoing facility operations. It would allow advance payments per federal rules (2 CFR 200.305(b)(1)) and planning periods up to two years.
- Federal program design and national activities: Would increase minimum set-asides to 15% and 25% in key pots and require at least 30% of remaining funds to be reserved for facilities, national activities, or other grants. It would cap technical assistance at 10% and competitive national grants at 15% and require pre-rulemaking consultation and slimmer paperwork.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
More charter school supports and services
If enacted, charter school grants could pay for more school costs. Grants could fund renovations, portable classrooms, and facility operations. They could also pay for academic subscriptions, curriculum supports, and teacher and specialist pay. State entities would have to make sure charter schools that get program funds address students' transportation needs. The bill would also make clear that single-sex schools or classes are allowed in the program. These rules would apply to grants awarded on or after the date of enactment.
New split of charter program funds
If enacted, the bill would change how federal charter program money is split each year. At least 15% of the yearly amount would go to one set of uses and at least 25% to another. From the 25% share, no more than 10% could pay for specified technical assistance and no more than 15% for certain competitive grants. After other reservations, the Secretary would reserve at least 30% of the remaining money and could allocate the rest among grant, facilities, and national-activity programs. These rules would apply to grants awarded on or after the date of enactment.
More charter applicants and lighter rules
If enacted, groups that do not already run a charter school in a State could apply to operate or manage high-quality charter schools there. Applicability would be checked on the application date. The bill would also limit the Department to issuing only rules needed to run the program and bar extra nonstatutory requirements. The Department would have to consult operators and State entities before proposing new rules. These rules would apply to grants awarded on or after the date of enactment.
Faster grant payments and planning time
If enacted, eligible applicants could request advance payments of subgrant funds. The Secretary would have to give States enough money so they can make those advance payments, following federal cash-management rules. States could set planning and program design periods of up to two years for applicants. The Department would also use a different test to decide if past grant money was obligated. These rules would apply to grants awarded on or after the date of enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
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
Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]
AR • R
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov