H.R. 3345: Sovereign States Education Restoration Act

This bill, known as the Sovereign States Education Restoration Act, proposes significant changes to the structure of education in the United States by abolishing the Department of Education. Below are the key elements of the legislation:

Abolishment of the Department of Education

The bill stipulates that the Department of Education will be abolished 270 days after the bill is enacted. This includes repealing all programs currently overseen by the Department, except for specific programs that will be transferred to other federal departments.

Transfer of Educational Programs

Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the following transfers of educational programs will occur:

• Programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act will be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services.
• The Office of Indian Education programs will move to the Department of the Interior.
• Impact Aid programs will be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services.
• Several financial aid programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Family Education Loan Program, Federal Direct Loan Program, and Federal Perkins Loans Program, will be transferred to the Department of the Treasury.
• Other programs related to education reform and technical assistance will also be moved to the Department of the Treasury.

Block Grants to States

The bill establishes a new framework for funding education through block grants to states:

• Elementary and Secondary Education Block Grant: The Secretary of the Treasury will allocate funds to states for elementary and secondary education, which includes career and technical education. The allocation will be based on the number of students enrolled in the state.
• Postsecondary Education Block Grant: Similar provisions will apply to support postsecondary education, with states receiving allocations based on their enrollment figures.

States are required to use these funds for early childhood, elementary, secondary, or postsecondary education purposes. Additionally, states must report on student data and conduct annual audits to ensure compliance.

Oversight and Compliance

The bill outlines requirements for states receiving federal funds to comply with federal civil rights laws. The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice will oversee complaints and enforce these laws, ensuring that education funding complies with regulations such as the Rehabilitation Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments.

Authorization of Appropriations

The bill authorizes appropriations to execute the provisions related to program transfers, block grants, and civil rights enforcement. The funding amount will equal the total appropriations made to the Department of Education for the fiscal year 2019, with conditions on the percentage allocated for block grants and federal oversight.

Relevant Companies

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