HR-7082 — FLEX Act | YourVoice.Now

YourVoice.Now Summary

Your MoneyWorkers & JobsCivil LibertiesCorporate BenefitsTransparency & Accountability

Charter schools could spend federal grant money on more things — and face fewer checks on how they use it.

Your Money

Grant money for new programs at existing charter schools

Grant money could pay for new classes or new ways of teaching at strong charter schools. The added programs would have to let more students enroll.

Grant money for getting students to charter school — ongoing costs

Right now these grants can only cover one-time startup costs for getting students to and from school. The bill would drop that limit, and states would have to make sure funded schools address their students' transportation needs.

Charter seats for rural students and students with disabilities

Some of this money would have to go toward adding charter seats. The named targets are rural students, kids with disabilities, and states with new charter laws.

Workers & Jobs

Charter grants paying teacher salaries — not just before schools open

Today grant money can pay school staff only while a school is being planned. The bill would drop that limit, so it could cover pay after the doors open.

Civil Liberties

Single-sex charter schools — federal charter law would not bar them

The bill adds a line saying nothing in the federal charter school program bars a school from serving students of only one sex. The charter school law does not address single-sex schools today.

Corporate Benefits

Charter operators' grant money paid up front — not after spending

Charter school developers could ask for grant money before they spend it. States would have to hand it over up front.

Grant money for charter buildings — upgrades, portable classrooms, running costs

Startup grants could pay for building upgrades, repairs needed to meet code, and portable classrooms. The bill would also let them cover the day-to-day cost of running and managing a school building.

Limits on federal rules for charter schools — only what law requires

The Education Department could write only the rules needed to run the program. It could not add demands beyond the law, and would have to cut paperwork.

Charter operators' input required before new federal rules proposed

Now the Secretary must ask charter school staff about new rules only when it is easy to do. The bill would make it a must, before any rule is proposed.

Transparency & Accountability

Fixed formula for splitting charter school money — Secretary gains choice

Today the law splits charter money three ways: 12.5, 22.5, and 65 percent. The bill would turn those into floors of 15, 25, and 30 percent.

Yearly checks on state charter grant spending — power to reclaim ends

Each year the Education Department must check whether states spend charter grants as promised. The bill would end that check, and the report states file partway through.

Outside expert review of state charter grants — would become optional

Right now the Department and the states must both use outside reviewers. The bill would keep that for the Department but make it optional for states.

Long-term financial plans from charter school networks — requirement dropped

Groups that run several charter schools must now file a long-term money and operating plan. The bill would drop that, and the need to describe how they teach.

More about this bill

If your child attends a charter school, the FLEX Act would widen what federal grant money can pay for. Schools could use it to add new programs, cover building upkeep, or help students get to class. Grant money could pay teacher salaries after a school opens, not just during planning. Federal money would also go toward more charter seats in rural areas and for students with disabilities. How the money is split would change too. Today, 65 percent of charter program funds must go to state grant programs that open and expand schools. That floor would drop to 30 percent. The Education Secretary would decide where much of the rest goes. States would no longer have to use outside experts to review grant applications. The Education Department would also stop checking each year whether states spend the money as promised. Federal charter law would say plainly that schools may serve only boys or only girls. The changes would apply to grants awarded after it becomes law.

Congressional Summary

Fostering Learning and Excellence in Charter Schools Act or the FLEX ActThis bill expands and revises the Charter Schools Program (CSP), including by expanding the allowable uses of CSP funds.Current law authorizes competitive grants to state entities (e.g., state educational agencies and state charter school boards) and, through them, subgrants to eligible applicants (i.e., charter school developers) to enable them to open and prepare for the operation of a new charter school or replicate or expand an existing high-quality charter school. The bill allows subgrants to also be used for adding or expanding programs or other offerings at these schools, such as through the adoption of new academic programs or delivery models, personalized learning, or a new curricular approach. New offerings must enable additional students to enroll in and benefit from the school.Eligible applicants may also use CSP funds for activities such as hiring and compensating teachers and other school staff (currently, this may only occur during the planning period);carrying out necessary renovations, upgrades, or facility repairs, or acquiring portable classrooms; andproviding transportation to students (currently, only one-time, start-up transportation costs are permitted).Eligible applicants may request and receive advance payments of subgrants.Among other requirements, the Department of Education must (1) use CSP funds for additional activities (e.g., increasing the number of available seats in charter schools that serve rural students and students with disabilities), and (2) consult with charter school operators prior to issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking relevant to charter schools.

Legislative Subjects

Education programs fundingEducational facilities and institutionsElementary and secondary educationTeaching, teachers, curricula

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: House
Status: summarized
Action: Reported to House
Action Date: 2026-05-13
Date Added: 2026-06-05
Source: Congress.gov →

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