H.R. 9610

Less Bureaucracy, Better K–12 Education Act

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

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Sec. 7. References

With regard to functions transferred under section 2, a reference in any other Federal law, Executive order, rule, regulation, or delegation of authority, or any document of or relating to—

(1) the Secretary of Education shall be deemed to refer to the Secretary of Labor;

(2) the Department of Education shall be deemed to refer to the Department of Labor;

(3) the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education of the Department of Education shall be deemed to refer to the Education Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor; and

(4) the Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education shall be deemed to refer to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training.