America's public school buildings are aging, and this bill proposes a major investment to fix them. The Rebuild America's Schools Act authorizes $20 billion a year for five years (2027–2031) in direct grants to states for school construction, renovation, and repair — with priority given to high-need districts. It also creates $30 billion in school infrastructure bonds and boosts Impact Aid construction funding by $100 million a year for schools near military bases and federal land. Allowable uses include removing lead and asbestos, upgrading HVAC and electrical systems, improving accessibility, and making buildings more energy-efficient. A separate title addresses schools with foundations damaged by pyrrhotite, a mineral that causes concrete to crack.
Congressional Summary
Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026This bill provides support for long-term improvements to public elementary and secondary school facilities.First, the bill sets forth allocations to states and establishes a need-based grant program for local educational agencies (LEAs) to improve school facilities. Further, the bill specifies allowable uses of grant funds, including carrying out major repairs, improving indoor air quality, and making facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities.Additionally, the bill requires LEAs that receive funds for new construction, modernization, or renovation projects to comply with hazard-resistance building codes and performance criteria under the WaterSense program of the Environmental Protection Agency. Further, the bill requires such LEAs to adopt certain green practices (environmental standards) and requires the use of iron, steel, and manufactured products that are made in the United States (Buy America).The bill restores school infrastructure tax credit bonds.The bill also sets forth reporting requirements, including annual reports on grant program projects and a report by the Government Accountability Office that requires a study of the geographic distribution of projects, the impact of selected projects on student and staff health and safety, and the accessibility of projects to high-needs schools.The bill also establishes the Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability within the Department of Education.Next, the bill extends through FY2031 the Impact Aid Construction program.Finally, the bill establishes a grant program to assist LEAs with repairing or replacing concrete foundations affected by pyrrhotite (an iron sulfide material linked to crumbling foundations).
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-02-04
- Date Added
- 2026-03-30