H.R. 7340: Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026
Sponsor
Robert Scott
Democrat · VA-3
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 4, 2026
Referred to Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review
Why it matters
Many public schools are aging, unsafe, inefficient, or unhealthy, and this bill would create a major new federal push to fix them over the next several years.
Even from the partial text available, the bill is clearly ambitious. It covers states, outlying areas, and Bureau-funded schools, and it also includes a separate title focused on school foundations damaged by pyrrhotite, a mineral that can cause concrete to crack and fail. The main unknown is scale: the structure is broad and detailed, but the total funding level is not shown in the excerpt provided.
What does H.R. 7340 do?
Federal grants for school building upgrades
Creates a grant program to support long-term improvements to public school facilities, with money flowing through states and aimed at eligible school districts.
Aid targeted to higher-poverty districts
Uses Title I funding formulas and eligibility rules, which means districts serving more low-income students would likely get priority or larger shares of support.
Special funding for outlying areas and Bureau-funded schools
Sets aside small shares of the money each year for U.S. outlying areas and for schools funded through the Bureau of Indian Education.
School infrastructure bonds return
Restores certain tax-credit bonds and creates school infrastructure bonds to help finance major construction and renovation projects beyond direct grants.
Green and resilient construction standards
Allows and encourages projects that improve hazard resistance, cut energy and water use, support green building practices, and even help schools move toward net-zero energy.
Buy American and stronger oversight
Requires the use of American iron, steel, and manufactured products in covered projects and sets up reports, studies, data standards, and a new federal office focused on school infrastructure.
Who benefits from H.R. 7340?
Students in older public schools
They could get safer, healthier, and more comfortable school buildings with better air systems, repaired structures, and updated classrooms.
High-poverty school districts
Because the bill is tied to Title I formulas, districts serving more low-income families are positioned to receive more help.
Teachers and school staff
They would work in buildings that may be less hazardous, more reliable, and better equipped for daily instruction.
Bureau-funded schools and outlying areas
The bill specifically reserves funding for these schools and regions, which are often left out of broader school construction efforts.
Who is affected by H.R. 7340?
State education agencies
They would need to provide assurances or submit plans, manage allocations, and oversee compliance with federal requirements.
Local school districts
They would need to apply for or manage grant and bond funding and follow rules on allowable uses, reporting, and construction standards.
Construction and building material companies
They could see more demand for school modernization work, especially firms producing American-made iron, steel, and manufactured products.
Federal education officials
The Department of Education would take on a larger role in distributing funds, reviewing plans, collecting data, and running oversight systems.
H.R. 7340 Common Questions
How much money would the Rebuild America's Schools Act provide for school repairs each year?
The bill authorizes $20 billion per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with funds available through FY 2036 under the Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026 (Section 105).
How much would states have to match under the Rebuild America's Schools Act?
States must provide a 10% non-federal match by September 30, 2035, unless annual appropriations exceed $7 billion, according to H.R. 7340 Section 102(c)(1).
What are the new school infrastructure bond limits in the Rebuild America's Schools Act?
The bill sets a $10 billion national limit for school infrastructure bonds in 2027, 2028, and 2029, and restores QZABs at $1.4 billion per year under H.R. 7340 Sections 202(f) and 201(c).
Does the bill cover 100% of interest on school infrastructure bonds?
Yes. Under the Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026, the tax credit equals 100% of the interest payable by the issuer on school infrastructure bonds (Section 202(b)).
How much money is set aside for outlying areas and Bureau-funded schools?
The bill reserves 0.5% for outlying areas and another 0.5% for Bureau-funded schools under the Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026 (Section 101(b)).
Can school repair funds be used for athletic stadiums or school buses?
No. H.R. 7340 bars routine maintenance, vehicles, and athletic facilities used for paid public events, as well as non-educational facilities like central offices (Section 302).
Can for-profit charter schools get money under the Rebuild America's Schools Act?
No. Funds cannot go to charter schools managed by for-profit entities or schools leasing from an entity that also has a governance role, under H.R. 7340 Section 302(b).
Does the Rebuild America's Schools Act require American-made steel and materials?
Yes. Iron, steel, and manufactured products must be produced in the U.S., with manufactured products meeting a 60% component-cost threshold; waivers apply if costs rise by more than 25% (Section 305).
Can schools use these funds for net-zero energy or green building upgrades?
Yes. The bill allows decarbonization and requires major new construction or renovation to meet LEED, Living Building Challenge, CHPS, or Green Globes standards under H.R. 7340 Sections 301 and 304.
What schools qualify for pyrrhotite repair funding and how much would the federal government pay?
Schools must be verified as pyrrhotite-affected by an engineer or lab, and the federal share is capped at 50% under the Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026 Sections 603 and 602(e).
Based on H.R. 7340 bill text
HR7340 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Feb 4, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
About the Sponsor
Robert Scott
Democrat, Virginia's 3rd congressional district · 33 years in Congress
Committees: Education and Workforce, the Budget
View full profile →
Cosponsors (96)
All 96 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 33 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, and 30 more.
Donald Norcross
Democrat · NJ
Adam Smith
Democrat · WA
Jimmy Panetta
Democrat · CA
Linda Sánchez
Democrat · CA
Jill Tokuda
Democrat · HI
Frederica Wilson
Democrat · FL
Marilyn Strickland
Democrat · WA
Janice Schakowsky
Democrat · IL
Donald Beyer
Democrat · VA
Stacey Plaskett
Democrat · VI
Steven Horsford
Democrat · NV
Joseph Morelle
Democrat · NY
Committee Sponsors
Ways and Means Committee
12 of 45 committee members cosponsored
Education and Workforce Committee
13 of 36 committee members cosponsored
9 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 7340 change?
2 changes
Sections Amended
Section 54E of Internal Revenue Code of 1986) issued after the date of the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009. (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 1601 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009
striking paragraph (3) and redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively
Section 7014(d) of Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7714(d))
read as follows: ``(d) Construction
H.R. 7340 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Ways and Means
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Education
- Introduced
- Feb 4, 2026
Referred to Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review
Feb 4, 2026
H.R. 7340 Bill Text
“To provide for the long-term improvement of public school facilities, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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