The Cooperative Institute Act of 2026 establishes a formal program for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to partner with non-federal academic and nonprofit research institutions. These partnerships, known as Cooperative Institutes, are designed to conduct collaborative research, support student and postdoctoral training, and expand scientific capacity in areas relevant to NOAA's mission. The bill authorizes five-year funding awards for these institutes, which can be renewed for an additional five years following a peer-reviewed performance assessment. It also sets specific procedures for selecting new partners through open competition or limited pools, allows for the co-location of federal and institutional staff, and requires detailed reports to Congress before any existing partnership is terminated or allowed to expire.
HR 2746, the Fix Moldy Housing Act, directs the EPA to study when indoor mold assessment and remediation is necessary and develop nonbinding national standards for safely identifying and fixing mold. It authorizes $50 million annually (2026-2030) to fund state and tribal programs that license mold remediation professionals and provide grants for mold cleanup in public buildings (like schools) and low-income residential properties. States must prioritize high-risk areas and low-income households for funding, while prohibiting use of funds for high-income housing. The bill establishes concrete mechanisms for federal support but does not mandate enforcement or binding requirements for mold remediation.
HR 3270, the Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025, aims to strengthen the pipeline of air traffic controllers by improving training programs and retention. It provides $20 million annually (2026-2031) for colleges to develop specialized curricula and equipment through the Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program, allowing graduates to be hired noncompetitively as controllers. The bill also establishes a committee to modernize training curricula and the Air Traffic Skills Assessment exam, while creating retention bonuses for certified controllers and mental health training for medical examiners. These changes directly affect colleges offering air traffic control programs, prospective controllers, and current FAA air traffic controllers.
The ASSIST Act (S 2050) increases federal funding for mental health and substance use disorder services provided in schools and school-based health centers. It raises the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for these services to 90% for states, starting one year after enactment, while ensuring this doesn’t reduce existing federal payments or count against territorial spending limits. The bill also creates a new grant program administered by the Health and Human Services Secretary to fund entities like school districts and universities in hiring more licensed mental health providers, requiring culturally competent care and annual reporting on provider numbers and service effectiveness. It prohibits using grant funds for threat assessment teams and mandates a report to Congress on the program’s effectiveness within 18 months.
The Safer Schools Act of 2025 establishes a 5-year federal pilot program providing grants to public schools for security risk assessments and physical security upgrades. Public schools that have experienced violent incidents involving multiple people are prioritized for both types of grants. Schools receiving assessment grants must first identify vulnerabilities, while improvement grants fund specific security measures like panic alarms linked to local police, with federal funds covering up to 50% of costs. The program allocates $600 million total ($100M-$300M annually), requiring schools to submit financial reports and post-implementation safety surveys, with annual congressional reports tracking outcomes.
This bill establishes the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition to revive the Presidential Fitness Test as the primary assessment for a national fitness award, directly affecting schools and youth. The Council, appointed by the President with up to 30 members serving two-year terms, will recommend strategies to restore the fitness test, promote school-based physical education programs, and address childhood obesity. It mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide funding and administrative support for the Council’s work, including expanding fitness opportunities and partnerships with sports organizations. The Council’s functions include advising the President on progress, developing fitness challenges, and addressing the national security impact of sedentary lifestyles among youth.
This bill establishes the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition to advise the President on reestablishing the Presidential Fitness Test as the primary assessment tool for a Presidential Fitness Award in U.S. schools. The Council, appointed by the President, would develop school-based fitness programs, promote physical activity through community partnerships, and address childhood obesity as a national security concern. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to fund the Council and its initiatives, with the Council terminating two years after enactment unless extended. The bill specifically aims to impact K-12 schools by integrating the fitness test into physical education programs.
This bill requires the EPA to establish guidelines for indoor air contaminants like radon, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide that affect schools and childcare facilities. It mandates a national assessment of indoor air quality in these buildings, with updates every five years, and provides technical assistance to schools and childcare providers to implement air quality improvements. The EPA must publish science-based guidelines with recommended concentration limits for key contaminants and support voluntary building certifications for healthier indoor environments. These provisions directly impact local schools, childcare centers, and state/local governments responsible for building maintenance and health standards.
HR 3453, the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act, creates new federal grants to help educator-led teams plan and open charter schools. It provides up to $100,000 per team for pre-charter planning, targeting groups led by educators with at least 4.5 years of school-based experience (including after-school programs) and a demonstrated ability to lead. To qualify, teams must submit a community needs assessment and a plan showing how their proposed school will address those needs. The bill reserves 5% of relevant funding for these educator-led grants, adjusting existing ESEA grant formulas to prioritize this new support. This directly affects educators seeking to start charter schools and the communities where those schools would operate.
This bill changes how federal education funds are distributed by directing funds to follow eligible low-income students (ages 5-17 from families below poverty level) to their families or schools. It allows states to use these funds for qualified expenses like public school tuition, private school tuition at approved schools, or supplemental programs. The bill explicitly prohibits federal officials from mandating specific curricula, assessments, or standards - such as Common Core - requiring states to maintain control over education content. It also repeals existing federal assessment grants, shifting focus to student-centered funding.