Rep. Michelle Steel

Maddy summary# Summary of Proposed Higher Education Act Amendments This document outlines significant proposed amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, primarily as part of the "College Cost Reduction Act." The key elements include: ## Accreditation Reform - Major overhaul of accreditation standards, requiring accrediting agencies to demonstrate independence from trade associations - New requirements for accrediting agencies to assess student achievement outcomes, including median value-added earnings relative to median total price charged - Introduction of an "Alternative Quality Assurance Experimental Site Initiative" to test non-accredited institutions - Protections for religious institutions, including a new process for appealing accreditation decisions related to religious mission - Removal of "litmus tests" that would require institutions to support specific political viewpoints ## Student Success Initiatives - Establishment of "Postsecondary Student Success Grants" to increase participation, retention, and completion rates for high-need students - Focus on evidence-based practices, with tiered requirements (tier 1, 2, and 3 reforms) - Mandatory inclusion of high-need student populations (low-income, first-generation, military-connected, etc.) - Requirements for institutions to report on completion rates, retention rates, and student demographics ## Regulatory Changes - Repeal of numerous existing regulations including: * Closed school discharges * Borrower defense to repayment * Pre-dispute arbitration * False certification requirements * Ability-to-benefit rules * Financial responsibility regulations - New restrictions on incentive compensation for recruiters - Changes to third-party servicer definitions and regulations ## Transfer and Credit Policies - New requirement that institutions cannot deny transfer credit based solely on the source of accreditation - Requirements for transparent transfer policies - Changes to reverse transfer policies ## Other Key Provisions - Modifications to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) - New definitions for "total price" and "value-added earnings" - Changes to the process for institutions to change accrediting agencies - New requirements for institutions to report on student outcomes The overall focus of these proposed amendments is to reduce regulatory burden on institutions, promote transparency, improve student outcomes (particularly for high-need students), modernize accreditation processes, and protect religious institutions' rights in accreditation decisions.

Maddy summaryThe Sunshine Protection Act of 2023 would end the practice of changing clocks twice a year for daylight saving time (DST) by making DST permanent nationwide, unless a state chooses to remain on standard time. It repeals the requirement to switch clocks back to standard time in the fall, directly affecting all U.S. states and territories that currently observe DST. The bill allows states that previously opted out of DST under the Uniform Time Act (like Arizona and Hawaii) to maintain their current time zone choices without further action. Key provisions include adjusting time zone offset language in existing law and granting states the authority to select either permanent DST or standard time based on their current arrangements. This change would eliminate seasonal time changes for most Americans, though states could still choose to stay on standard time if they prefer.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly housing stipend for veteran parents using the Post-9/11 GI Bill to pursue education entirely through distance learning. It directly affects veteran parents with dependent children who take classes online full-time (more than half-time) instead of attending campus. The key provision amends the GI Bill to provide these parents the same housing stipend amount they would receive if physically attending most classes on campus in their local area. The change applies to the first academic year starting after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "Safeguarding the Supply Chain Act" but actually focused on labor relations, amends the Railway Labor Act to extend its provisions to the maritime industry. It directly affects maritime employers (like shipping companies) and their employees by applying the same labor dispute resolution processes used for railroads, including grievance procedures and mediation. Key mechanisms include creating a National Maritime Adjustment Board (Section 305) to handle disputes over pay, working conditions, and grievances, and transferring pending cases from the National Labor Relations Board to the National Mediation Board (Section 306). The bill does not address supply chain security but instead standardizes labor relations frameworks for maritime workers.

Maddy summaryHRES 1504 designates October 2024 as Filipino American History Month to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States. The resolution urges the American public to observe the month through educational programs and activities highlighting the community's early settlements, military service (including World War II veterans' contributions), and roles in healthcare, labor movements, and other fields. As a non-binding congressional resolution, it formally recognizes Filipino American heritage without creating new legal obligations or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThe Equitable Access to School Facilities Act creates a federal grant program to help states improve charter school access to school facilities and reduce costs. It provides competitive grants to state education agencies to fund charter school facility needs - including acquisition, leasing, renovation, and ongoing costs - with priority given to states that offer tax-exempt financing and treat charter schools equally in land-use policies (like permitting and fees). The bill also updates the federal charter school program to allow states more flexibility in fund allocation and project timelines. This directly benefits charter schools, especially in low-income and rural communities, by addressing disparities in facility access and affordability.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special enrollment period (from enactment until December 31, 2025) for military retirees and former service members to join or adjust their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) coverage. It allows eligible retirees (those receiving or qualifying for retired pay) to enroll in SBP for the first time, with premiums calculated based on what they would have paid if enrolled earlier, plus interest and actuarial adjustments. Current SBP participants can change their beneficiary (e.g., to a spouse or child) or discontinue coverage, but must obtain beneficiary consent unless they prove inability to contact them. Premiums paid during this open season fund the Department of Defense Military Retirement Fund. The bill does not change existing SBP rules outside this designated period.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to speed up geothermal energy projects in areas already studied or developed for energy use. It removes the requirement for full environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for geothermal exploration and development in these specific locations, directly affecting geothermal energy developers and companies seeking to expand operations. The key change adds "geothermal" to existing exemptions for "gas" in the law, so projects in previously studied areas no longer need the same level of environmental analysis as new developments. This applies only to areas where prior studies or development have already occurred, not to entirely new sites.

Maddy summaryHRES 1489 is a symbolic House resolution designating the week of September 23-27, 2024, as "National Clean Energy Week." It expresses congressional support for recognizing clean energy's role in economic growth (citing 8.35 million jobs in the sector) and encourages voluntary actions like public awareness, investment in clean energy technologies, and supporting local clean energy jobs. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it only formally endorses the week-long observance to highlight clean energy’s economic and environmental benefits. It directly affects no specific group but aims to raise national awareness of the clean energy sector.

Maddy summaryHRES 1477 is a non-binding House resolution designating September 2024 as "Boat People Awareness Month" to honor Vietnamese refugees who fled Vietnam by sea after the Vietnam War. It directly recognizes the experiences of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese who left Communist-ruled Vietnam between 1975 and 1995, many facing perilous journeys with high mortality rates. The resolution calls on Congress to formally acknowledge this group's history and resilience, without creating new laws or funding. It serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition for Vietnamese refugee communities in the U.S., particularly those in areas like Little Saigon (Orange County, California).