Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026
Latest action (23 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 9935, the "Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026," would direct the Secretary of the Interior, working with the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs and the Director of the Bureau of Indian Education, to study and report on ways to update the Indian School Equalization Formula, which determines funding distributed to Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools. The study, due within one year of enactment, would examine whether the formula provides adequate funding for staff salaries and school operations, consider weighting factors for tribally controlled schools, small schools, and rural schools, and require that Havasupai Elementary School receive an additional cost factor. The Secretary would also study potential revenue sources to bring these schools' funding closer to parity with other public school systems, and would report findings and recommendations to Congress and to Indian Tribes.
The bill primarily affects schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education, including tribally controlled schools, along with their teachers, administrators, staff, and the Indian Tribes and students they serve. It does not itself change funding levels or formulas but sets up formal studies and reporting requirements intended to inform future policy decisions.
The bill was introduced on July 23, 2026, by Rep. Melanie Stansbury and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. It has not yet been voted on, and further action, such as committee consideration or a floor vote, would be needed before it could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 23, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9935 do?
- H.R. 9935, the "Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026," would direct the Secretary of the Interior, working with the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs and the Director of the Bureau of Indian Education, to study and report on ways to update the Indian School Equalization Formula, which determines funding distributed to Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools. The study, due within one year of enactment, would examine whether the formula provides adequate funding for staff salaries and school operations, consider weighting factors for tribally controlled schools, small schools, and rural schools, and require that Havasupai Elementary School receive an additional cost factor. The Secretary would also study potential revenue sources to bring these schools' funding closer to parity with other public school systems, and would report findings and recommendations to Congress and to Indian Tribes. The bill primarily affects schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education, including tribally controlled schools, along with their teachers, administrators, staff, and the Indian Tribes and students they serve. It does not itself change funding levels or formulas but sets up formal studies and reporting requirements intended to inform future policy decisions. The bill was introduced on July 23, 2026, by Rep. Melanie Stansbury and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. It has not yet been voted on, and further action, such as committee consideration or a floor vote, would be needed before it could become law.
- Has H.R. 9935 become law?
- Not yet. As of 23 Jul 2026, H.R. 9935 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9935?
- H.R. 9935 was sponsored by Rep. Melanie Stansbury [D-NM1] (Democrat-NM), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9935?
- Introduced (23 Jul 2026).
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