FLEX Act
Sponsored By: Senator Moody, Ashley [R-FL]
Introduced
Summary
Broadens federal funding and policy flexibility for charter schools. The Fostering Learning and Excellence in Charter Schools Act (FLEX Act) would change what federal charter grants can pay for, how funds are reserved and advanced, and who gets targeted federal support.
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- Families and students: High-quality charter schools could add or expand academic programs, personalized learning, or new curricular approaches to increase enrollment and choices for students.
- Charter operators and staff: Grants could cover longer planning and advance payments, up to 2 years, and pay for hiring and compensating teachers and leaders, curricular subscriptions, facility renovations, portable classrooms, and facility operations.
- Funding and national support: The bill raises some set-asides and requires a larger reserve of funds. It lets the Secretary use remaining amounts for facilities, national activities, and targeted grants to grow seats, including in rural and disability-serving charter schools.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Charters must address student transportation
If enacted, the bill would require a State entity to ensure each charter school that gets subgrant funds addresses student transportation. If your child attends a charter school funded through the State program, the school would need a plan for how students get to and from school. This aims to reduce travel burdens for families, especially in rural areas.
More things grant money can pay for
If enacted, the bill would expand what charter grants can pay for. New allowable uses would include teacher and leader hiring and pay, specialized instructional staff, digital and curricular subscriptions, facility renovations and portable classrooms that meet laws and standards, and ongoing facility operations. Grant-funded school expansions must be designed so more students can enroll, and applicants would include initial projections of schools to open or expand.
Bigger reserved shares and limits
If enacted, the bill would raise minimum yearly set‑asides from certain charter grant funds to at least 15%, 25%, and 30%. It would also limit national uses of reserved funds so no more than 10% could go to national technical help and related activities and no more than 15% could be used for certain competitive grants in States without other grants. Any leftover money after required reservations would be directed to facility grants, national activities, and high‑quality charter grants and the Secretary would decide how to split that remainder.
Faster payments and more flexible timing
If enacted, the bill would let eligible subgrantees request and receive advance payments under federal cash‑management rules so they can pay costs before they happen. State entities would receive enough advance funds to make those subgrant advances. The bill would also let State entities set a planning and program design period up to two years. Organizations with active grants awarded before enactment could choose to operate under these new rules for the rest of their grant term.
Less paperwork and more State flexibility
If enacted, the bill would limit nonstatutory regulations and require the Secretary to consult before proposing new rules for these charter programs. It would expand the definition of education to include State‑law programs and allow an applicant's recent approved charter authorization to serve instead of a separate application. The bill also makes some actions mandatory for the Secretary but optional for State entities, which gives States more flexibility but could lead to different practices across States.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Moody, Ashley [R-FL]
FL • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
AL • R
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov