H.R. 7340

Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026

Sponsor: Robert C. "Bobby" Scott

98 cosponsors
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Official summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service.

Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026

This 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).

Text of the bill

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I GRANTS FOR THE LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES

II School infrastructure bonds

III USES OF FUNDS

IV REPORTS AND OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 403. Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability

(a) Establishment. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish within the Department of Education an office to be known as the Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability (referred to in this section as the Office).

(b) Head of Office. The head of the Office shall be an individual designated by the Secretary.

(c) Duties. The duties of the Office shall be—

(1) to advise the Secretary on State plans under section 102;

(2) to serve as a liaison with other departments and agencies of the Federal Government on matters relating to public school facilities, including the Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Environmental Protection Agency;

(3) to ensure the Department of Education is prepared to meet the requirements of this Act in a timely manner; and

(4) to manage such other programs or initiatives affecting public school facilities as the Secretary determines appropriate.

V IMPACT AID CONSTRUCTION

VI ASSISTANCE FOR REPAIR OF SCHOOL FOUNDATIONS AFFECTED BY PYRRHOTITE