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HR7262119th CongressWALLET

READ Act

Sponsored By: Representative Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22]

Introduced

Summary

Rapidly restart and stabilize school operations after disasters. This bill would authorize the Department of Education to pay State Educational Agencies so they can quickly support public and accredited non-public elementary and secondary schools in areas hit by a declared major disaster or emergency.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Disaster recovery money for schools

This bill would fund $200 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The Secretary of Education would be allowed to pay State education agencies from that money. States would use the payments to help school districts and eligible private schools restart after a declared disaster. The funds would remain available until spent.

Rules for private school disaster aid

If enacted, States would have to reserve at least the same share of these disaster funds for eligible non-public schools as the share of non-public students in the State. The share would be calculated from the most recent NCES Common Core of Data. Services for private school students would have to be equitable and provided quickly, and priority would go to areas where schools were closed 30 or more days. But reserved funds not obligated 120 days after enactment could be used for public school districts, and recipients who get duplicative federal aid would have to repay those duplicate payments.

What recovery funds can pay for

The bill would let states use funds for many restart tasks. Examples include recovering student and personnel data, replacing district computers and software, buying textbooks, renting mobile classrooms or neutral sites, paying reasonable transport costs, and making small facility repairs. Funds could not be used for construction or major renovation. All materials and services would have to be secular, neutral, and nonideological, and public agencies must control the funds and title to purchased items for private schools.

How schools apply for aid

The bill would require any local school district or eligible private school that wants this help to apply to the State education agency. The State would set the timing, the application form, and the information required. The goal in the text is to let SEAs speed up and organize delivery of services and assistance.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

    LA • D

    Sponsored 1/27/2026

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/27/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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