Rep. Andy Harris

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 summaryHR 10083, the "No Funding for Illegal Migrant Billboards Act," prohibits the use of federal funds to advertise the Immigration Detention Ombudsman's office or functions through billboards or similar public advertising. This bill directly affects the Department of Homeland Security, specifically restricting how the Ombudsman's office can be promoted using public funds. The key mechanism is an amendment to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, adding a provision that bans obligating or expending funds for such advertising. The law applies to all public advertising methods, not just physical billboards, and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill terminates all federal funding for FEMA's Shelter and Services Program effective upon enactment. It prohibits new appropriations for this program or any similar successor program. Any remaining funds from the program as of the enactment date will be transferred to support disaster relief efforts under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act. The change directly affects FEMA's budget operations but redirects existing resources to broader disaster assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows states to require certain Medicaid recipients to work or participate in job training to maintain coverage. Specifically, it permits states to impose work requirements on nondisabled, nonelderly, nonpregnant adults (excluding those with children under 6, pregnant women, or individuals under 19). States must implement these requirements 120 days after the bill's enactment, but must exempt pregnant individuals, parents of young children, and others meeting specific criteria. The policy changes Medicaid eligibility rules for this group, giving states an optional pathway to condition benefits on work activity.

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 removes legal immunity for vaccine manufacturers by allowing individuals injured by vaccines to sue them directly in court after filing a claim with the federal vaccine injury compensation program (VICP). It eliminates time limits for filing VICP claims (previously 24-36 months) and explicitly excludes COVID-19 vaccines from the program's coverage. The changes affect people seeking compensation for vaccine injuries and vaccine manufacturers, who will no longer automatically avoid lawsuits. The bill also repeals provisions that previously restricted legal action after VICP claims.

Maddy summaryHJRES 136 is a resolution seeking to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have set new emissions standards for light and medium-duty vehicles sold in 2027 and later model years. The EPA rule, published in April 2024, aimed to require vehicle manufacturers to meet stricter pollution limits for these vehicles. If passed, this resolution would cancel the rule, preventing the EPA from enforcing the new standards. It uses a congressional process that allows Congress to reject agency rules with a simple majority vote.

Maddy summaryHJRES 207 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) rule implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. It seeks to block the EEOC's specific guidance (published April 19, 2024) that outlines how employers must provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers. If passed, the resolution would make this EEOC rule "have no force or effect," preventing its enforcement. The measure directly affects employers subject to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act by halting the implementation of the EEOC's regulatory guidance.

Maddy summaryHJRES 144 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) on April 19, 2024. The resolution seeks to block the ATF's rule that redefined the term "engaged in the business" for firearm dealers, which would have affected how federal licensing requirements apply to certain sellers. If enacted, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing it from taking effect under procedures in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. The bill directly impacts firearm dealers operating under the current regulatory framework and the ATF's enforcement authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. immigration law to add new grounds for inadmissibility and deportability related to sex offenses and domestic violence. It makes non-citizens inadmissible if convicted of, or admitting to, sex offenses (as defined in the Adam Walsh Act) or domestic violence crimes (as defined under the Violent Crime Control Act). It also expands deportability to include these offenses, specifying that domestic violence crimes are deportable regardless of whether the jurisdiction received federal grant funding. The changes apply to non-citizens with prior convictions or admissions for these specific offenses, modifying their immigration status under existing law.