HR5195-119

What This Bill Does

The Advancing Toward Impact Aid Full Funding Act replaces the authorization levels in ESEA section 7014 for four Impact Aid categories. For section 7002 payments tied to federal acquisition of real property, it authorizes $85 million in fiscal year 2026 and rises to $250 million by fiscal year 2031. For section 7003(b) basic payments and payments for heavily impacted local educational agencies, it authorizes $1.487058 billion in fiscal year 2026 and rises each year to $2.347658 billion by fiscal year 2031. For section 7003(d) payments for children with disabilities, it authorizes $50 million in fiscal year 2026 and rises to $120 million by fiscal year 2031. For section 7007 construction, it authorizes $20 million in fiscal year 2026 and rises to $45 million by fiscal year 2031. The bill is a staged full-funding strategy for school districts affected by federal land ownership, military bases, Indian lands, and other federal activities that reduce local tax bases or add federally connected students.

Who Benefits and How

Impact Aid school districts benefit because authorization levels rise across property, basic, disability, and construction payment categories through fiscal year 2031. Heavily impacted local educational agencies benefit from the largest funding ramp, reaching $2.347658 billion for section 7003(b) by fiscal year 2031. Federally connected students benefit if higher Impact Aid authorizations support teachers, services, facilities, and programs in affected districts. School districts serving children with disabilities benefit from section 7003(d) authorizations rising from $50 million to $120 million.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Federal taxpayers bear the cost if appropriators fund the increased Impact Aid authorization levels. Department of Education Impact Aid staff must administer higher payment categories and updated authorization tables. Appropriations committees must decide whether to provide funding up to the staged authorization levels. Non-Impact Aid education programs may face competition for discretionary education dollars.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes section 7002 federal property payments from $85 million in fiscal year 2026 to $250 million in fiscal year 2031.
• Authorizes section 7003(b) basic and heavily impacted local educational agency payments from $1.487058 billion to $2.347658 billion.
• Authorizes section 7003(d) children with disabilities payments from $50 million to $120 million.
• Authorizes section 7007 construction payments from $20 million to $45 million.
• Provides a six-year staged Impact Aid funding ramp for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.