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Equitable Access to School Facilities Act

USA119th CongressS-1723| Senate 
| Updated: 5/13/2025
Bill Cassidy

Bill Cassidy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Cosponsors (2)
Tommy Tuberville (Republican)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Equitable Access to School Facilities Act" seeks to enhance the quality and affordability of charter school facilities across the nation. Its primary purpose is to support the creation and expansion of State policies that provide funding and financing for these facilities, including increasing charter schools' access to public buildings. The bill also authorizes technical assistance to foster the growth and expansion of high-quality charter schools. A central provision of the bill is the authorization of a new State Facilities Aid Program , which provides competitive grants to State entities. These grants are intended to help states establish or enhance programs that improve the equity of charter schools' access to facilities funding and financing , reduce gaps between charter and other public schools, and increase access to public buildings. The Secretary will prioritize applicants from states that offer tax-exempt financing, ensure equitable land-use policies, prohibit negative deed restrictions, or provide charter schools with a first right of refusal for surplus public property. Funds from this program can be used for various activities, such as increasing funding for or creating new financing mechanisms for facility acquisition, leasing, construction, or renovation. They can also support ongoing facilities costs and alternative ownership models. Furthermore, the bill amends existing provisions to allow grants for assisting charter schools in locating facilities and ensuring compliance with building codes, and permits the establishment of a revolving loan fund for initial operations or facilities. It also expands national programs to provide support and identify best practices related to charter school facilities access and authorizer quality.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5318
Equitable Access to School Facilities Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1480
Equitable Access to School Facilities Act
May 13, 2025
Introduced in Senate
May 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Jan 21, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-7086
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5318
    Equitable Access to School Facilities Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1480
    Equitable Access to School Facilities Act


  • May 13, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 13, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • January 21, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-7086
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.

Education

Equitable Access to School Facilities Act

USA119th CongressS-1723| Senate 
| Updated: 5/13/2025
The "Equitable Access to School Facilities Act" seeks to enhance the quality and affordability of charter school facilities across the nation. Its primary purpose is to support the creation and expansion of State policies that provide funding and financing for these facilities, including increasing charter schools' access to public buildings. The bill also authorizes technical assistance to foster the growth and expansion of high-quality charter schools. A central provision of the bill is the authorization of a new State Facilities Aid Program , which provides competitive grants to State entities. These grants are intended to help states establish or enhance programs that improve the equity of charter schools' access to facilities funding and financing , reduce gaps between charter and other public schools, and increase access to public buildings. The Secretary will prioritize applicants from states that offer tax-exempt financing, ensure equitable land-use policies, prohibit negative deed restrictions, or provide charter schools with a first right of refusal for surplus public property. Funds from this program can be used for various activities, such as increasing funding for or creating new financing mechanisms for facility acquisition, leasing, construction, or renovation. They can also support ongoing facilities costs and alternative ownership models. Furthermore, the bill amends existing provisions to allow grants for assisting charter schools in locating facilities and ensuring compliance with building codes, and permits the establishment of a revolving loan fund for initial operations or facilities. It also expands national programs to provide support and identify best practices related to charter school facilities access and authorizer quality.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5318
Equitable Access to School Facilities Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1480
Equitable Access to School Facilities Act
May 13, 2025
Introduced in Senate
May 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Jan 21, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-7086
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5318
    Equitable Access to School Facilities Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1480
    Equitable Access to School Facilities Act


  • May 13, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 13, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • January 21, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-7086
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.
Bill Cassidy

Bill Cassidy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Cosponsors (2)
Tommy Tuberville (Republican)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Education

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted