H.R. 9610
Less Bureaucracy, Better K–12 Education Act
Sponsor: Mark Harris
1 cosponsor
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Less Bureaucracy, Better K-12 Education Act
This bill transfers specified functions relating to elementary and secondary education from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of Labor.
Specifically, the bill transfers to Labor all the functions and authorities exercised by ED before the bill's effective date related to elementary and secondary education programs. These programs include, among others, programs for disadvantaged students, migratory students, at-risk students, and English language learners, as well as programs for teacher development, literacy, and charter schools. (On November 18, 2025, ED announced an interagency agreement with Labor for Labor to manage competitions, provide technical assistance, and integrate ED's programs with Labor's existing employment and training programs, while ED must maintain its statutory responsibilities and program oversight.)
Additionally, the bill transfers to Labor all personnel and appropriations related to the functions that are transferred under this bill.
The bill outlines the authority of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to the functions that are transferred under this bill, including that OMB must ensure that this bill does not create a net increase in full-time equivalent employees at Labor or ED. Further, OMB must certify compliance with the bill to specified congressional committees.
The transfer of these functions does not affect any suits, proceedings, or applications for benefits, services, licenses, permits, certificates, or financial assistance that are pending on the date of this bill's effective date.
Text of the bill
There are transferred to the Secretary of Labor all the functions which the Secretary of Education exercised before the effective date of this Act (including all related functions of any officer or employee of the Department of Education) with respect to each of the following:
(1) The Improving Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged formula grant program authorized under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).
(2) Functions authorized under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.).
(3) The Improving Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged State Assessment Grants program authorized under part B of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6361 et seq.), including the Competitive Grants for State Assessments program authorized under section 1203(b)(1) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 6363(b)(1)).
(4) The Education of Migratory Children program authorized under part C of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6391 et seq.).
(5) Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk authorized under part D of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6421 et seq.).
(6) The Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants program authorized under part A of title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6611 et seq.).
(7) The Teacher and School Leader Incentive program authorized under subpart 1 of part B of title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6631 et seq.).
(8) The Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grants program authorized under section 2222 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6642).
(9) The Innovative Approaches to Literacy grant program authorized under section 2226 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6646).
(10) The American History and Civics Education program authorized under subpart 3 of part B of title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6661 et seq.).
(11) The Supporting Effective Educator Development program authorized under section 2242 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6672).
(12) The English Language Acquisition State Grants program authorized under part A of title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6811 et seq.), including the National Professional Development program authorized under section 3131 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 6861), except for section 3112 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 6822).
(13) The Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) program authorized under part A of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.).
(14) The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program authorized under part B of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7171 et seq.).
(15) The Expanding Opportunities through Quality Charter Schools program authorized under part C of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7221 et seq.).
(16) The Magnet Schools Assistance program authorized under part D of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7231 et seq.).
(17) The Assistance for Arts Education program authorized under section 4642 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7292).
(18) The Small, Rural School Achievement program authorized under subpart 1 of part B of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7345 et seq.).
(19) The Rural and Low-Income School program authorized under subpart 2 of part B of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7351 et seq.).
(20) The Impact Aid program under title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.).
(21) The Teacher Quality Partnership Grant program authorized under part A of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1022 et seq.).
(22) Functions authorized under the District of Columbia Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (division C of Public Law 112–10).
(23) The Education for Homeless Children and Youths program authorized under subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.).
(24) Authority regarding consolidated grants to the Insular Areas authorized under section 501 of the Act entitled An Act to authorize certain appropriations for the territories of the United States, to amend certain Acts relating thereto, and for other purposes (Public Law 95–134; 48 U.S.C. 1469a).
(25) Projects overseen by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education of the Department of Education that the Secretary of Education determines are congressionally funded community projects.