Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026
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This bill would provide grants and tax credit bonds to fund infrastructure improvements, green renovations, and repairs for public schools.
What it does
This bill proposes to establish a grant program for local educational agencies to fund major repairs, air quality improvements, and accessibility upgrades for public school facilities. It would require funded projects to adhere to specific environmental standards, hazard-resistance building codes, and "Buy America" requirements for construction materials. Additionally, the legislation would restore school infrastructure tax credit bonds, extend the Impact Aid Construction program through fiscal year 2031, and create the Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability within the Department of Education.
Who is affected
This bill primarily affects local educational agencies (LEAs) and public elementary and secondary schools, particularly those requiring facility repairs, modernization, or remediation of crumbling concrete foundations. It also impacts state governments through fund allocations and the Department of Education, which must establish a new Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability. Additionally, the legislation affects domestic manufacturers of iron, steel, and other products due to 'Buy America' requirements for school construction projects.
Key provisions
- Establishment of school facility improvement grants. The bill creates a need-based grant program for local educational agencies to fund major repairs, improve indoor air quality, and enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
- Construction standards and domestic procurement requirements. Recipients of construction or renovation funds must comply with hazard-resistance building codes, EPA WaterSense criteria, and green environmental standards. The bill also mandates the use of American-made iron, steel, and manufactured products.
- Restoration of infrastructure tax credit bonds. The legislation restores school infrastructure tax credit bonds to support long-term improvements to public elementary and secondary school facilities.
- Creation of the Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability. The bill establishes a new office within the Department of Education dedicated to school infrastructure and sustainability efforts.
- Extension of Impact Aid Construction and foundation repair grants. The bill extends the Impact Aid Construction program through fiscal year 2031 and creates a grant program to help local educational agencies repair or replace concrete foundations damaged by pyrrhotite.
- Reporting and oversight requirements. The bill mandates annual project reports and requires the Government Accountability Office to study the geographic distribution of projects and their impact on student health, safety, and high-needs schools.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
The bill extends the Impact Aid Construction program through fiscal year 2031.
Relationship to existing law
The bill extends the Impact Aid Construction program through fiscal year 2031 and restores school infrastructure tax credit bonds. It also requires school districts to comply with existing federal standards, including the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program and Buy America requirements for manufactured products.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to support long-term improvements to public elementary and secondary school facilities through state allocations and a need-based grant program for local educational agencies. It seeks to modernize school infrastructure by funding major repairs, improving air quality and accessibility, restoring tax credit bonds, and addressing specific structural issues like crumbling concrete foundations.