Bill adds new planning grants for aspiring charter school founders

Q: What does it cost, and who pays?

The bill reduces the required share of grant funds going directly to charter schools from 90% to 80%, increases the state's administrative share, and sets aside up to 5% for the new pre-charter planning subgrants, which are capped at $100,000 each.

Placed on the calendarH.R. 3453Latest action Jan 13, 2026

Sponsor: Julia Letlow · Representative · LA

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record

Read the official text

Official title: Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act

119th Congress

Topics: Education

Introduced: May 15, 2025

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.

HR 3453 creates up to $100,000 "pre-charter planning subgrants" while cutting the direct-to-charter-school funding share from 90% to 80%.

55-second read · 5 questions answered below

What does this do?

HR 3453 amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act's charter school grant program to add a new "pre-charter planning subgrant" of up to $100,000 for people planning to open a new charter school. It also directs states to provide technical help and training to charter school authorizers, covering financial audits, loans, and facility searches. To fund this, the bill changes how existing state grant money is divided among charter schools, oversight, and the new planning grants.

Who does it affect?

The bill affects state education agencies, charter school authorizers, and individuals or groups planning to open new charter schools. It does not directly change rules for traditional public schools.

Why does it matter?

Shifting funds away from direct charter school support toward administration and planning grants changes how existing federal money is allocated among these groups.

What does it cost, and who pays?

Charter school share cut from 90% to 80%
Up to 5% set aside for planning grants
Grants capped at $100,000 each

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Read the official bill on Congress.gov

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Where does it stand?

IntroducedMay 15, 2025
House committee
House voteYou are here · Jan 13, 2026
Senate
The president's desk

Right now: it was placed on the , and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.

Latest action: January 13, 2026 — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 379.

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