Equitable Access to School Facilities Act

The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act would create a new federal framework to improve the quality and affordability of charter school facilities and to help expand high-quality charter schools. It does this by authorizing competitive grants to state entities to establish and run state charter facilities aid programs, expanding financing options (including credit enhancement and revolving loan funds), promoting access to public buildings for charter schools, and providing technical assistance and nationwide best-practice activities. The bill also requires ongoing reporting from grant recipients and sets aside a portion of funds for national activities and technical assistance. Overall, the bill aims to reduce funding and land-use barriers, expand access to suitable facilities, and support rapid growth of high-quality charter schools, especially in low-income and rural areas. Key funding provisions include an authorized $100 million per year (2026–2030) and a framework to use those funds to support financing mechanisms, facility costs, and alternative ownership arrangements for charter schools, while ensuring grants supplement rather than replace nonfederal funding. A new State Facilities Aid Program would emphasize equity in access to facilities funding, access to public buildings, and preference for jurisdictions with stronger land-use, financing, and property opportunities for charter schools.