Legis Daily

FLEX Act

USA119th CongressHR-7082| House 
| Updated: 1/21/2026
Ryan Mackenzie

Ryan Mackenzie

Republican Representative

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (3)
Troy A. Carter (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Bryan Steil (Republican)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the Fostering Learning and Excellence in Charter Schools Act (FLEX Act), aims to enhance flexibility and support within federal programs for charter schools by amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. It modifies funding allotments, increasing the minimum percentages reserved for charter school facilities assistance, national activities, and grants to support high-quality charter schools. Specifically, it raises the reservation for facilities assistance to at least 15 percent and for national activities to at least 25 percent, while reserving at least 30 percent for high-quality charter school grants. The legislation significantly expands the eligible uses of grant funds for charter schools. It allows funding to support the addition or expansion of curricular or other offerings at high-quality charter schools, such as new academic programs, personalized learning, or new curricular approaches, provided these expansions enable additional student enrollment. Furthermore, it broadens eligible expenditures to include hiring and compensating teachers and school leaders, academic subscriptions, curricular support, necessary renovations and facilities repairs, and costs associated with the operations and management of charter school facilities. The bill also introduces several procedural and regulatory changes. It permits State entities to use an eligible applicant's approved charter authorization application in lieu of a separate application for subgrants, streamlining the process. State entities are now required to ensure that charter schools receiving funds address the transportation needs of their students. Additionally, the Secretary of Education is mandated to consult with charter school operators prior to issuing proposed rulemaking and to promulgate only necessary regulations, avoiding additional nonstatutory requirements. Regarding national activities, the bill modifies how funds are used, including providing support and technical assistance to State entities, disseminating best practices, and increasing access to facilities for charter schools. It prioritizes increasing charter school seats in states with recent supportive legislation, and for rural students and students with disabilities. The amendments also allow grants to charter management organizations to plan for operating or managing high-quality charter schools in new states or those with limited charter school options, fostering broader reach and impact.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-7721
FLEX Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4484
FLEX Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-742
FLEX Act
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced in House
Jan 15, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Jan 21, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jan 21, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-7721
    FLEX Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4484
    FLEX Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-742
    FLEX Act


  • January 15, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • January 15, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.


  • January 21, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • January 21, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.

Education

Educational facilities and institutionsEducation programs fundingElementary and secondary educationTeaching, teachers, curricula

FLEX Act

USA119th CongressHR-7082| House 
| Updated: 1/21/2026
This bill, titled the Fostering Learning and Excellence in Charter Schools Act (FLEX Act), aims to enhance flexibility and support within federal programs for charter schools by amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. It modifies funding allotments, increasing the minimum percentages reserved for charter school facilities assistance, national activities, and grants to support high-quality charter schools. Specifically, it raises the reservation for facilities assistance to at least 15 percent and for national activities to at least 25 percent, while reserving at least 30 percent for high-quality charter school grants. The legislation significantly expands the eligible uses of grant funds for charter schools. It allows funding to support the addition or expansion of curricular or other offerings at high-quality charter schools, such as new academic programs, personalized learning, or new curricular approaches, provided these expansions enable additional student enrollment. Furthermore, it broadens eligible expenditures to include hiring and compensating teachers and school leaders, academic subscriptions, curricular support, necessary renovations and facilities repairs, and costs associated with the operations and management of charter school facilities. The bill also introduces several procedural and regulatory changes. It permits State entities to use an eligible applicant's approved charter authorization application in lieu of a separate application for subgrants, streamlining the process. State entities are now required to ensure that charter schools receiving funds address the transportation needs of their students. Additionally, the Secretary of Education is mandated to consult with charter school operators prior to issuing proposed rulemaking and to promulgate only necessary regulations, avoiding additional nonstatutory requirements. Regarding national activities, the bill modifies how funds are used, including providing support and technical assistance to State entities, disseminating best practices, and increasing access to facilities for charter schools. It prioritizes increasing charter school seats in states with recent supportive legislation, and for rural students and students with disabilities. The amendments also allow grants to charter management organizations to plan for operating or managing high-quality charter schools in new states or those with limited charter school options, fostering broader reach and impact.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-7721
FLEX Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4484
FLEX Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-742
FLEX Act
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced in House
Jan 15, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Jan 21, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jan 21, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-7721
    FLEX Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4484
    FLEX Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-742
    FLEX Act


  • January 15, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • January 15, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.


  • January 21, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • January 21, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.
Ryan Mackenzie

Ryan Mackenzie

Republican Representative

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (3)
Troy A. Carter (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Bryan Steil (Republican)

Education and Workforce Committee

Education

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Educational facilities and institutionsEducation programs fundingElementary and secondary educationTeaching, teachers, curricula