Docket HopperPart I · Bills · 119th H.R. 9604
H.R. 9604 · 119th CongressEducation

Less Bureaucracy, Better Tribal Education Act was reported by committee and awaits a floor vote

Sponsored by Owens, Burgess R-UT · 1 cosponsor: 0 Democrats, 1 Republican
IntroducedJul 9, 2026
ReportedJul 15, 2026
Passed one chamber—
Passed both—
Law—
What it changes · CRS summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service [2]. 250 words.

Less Bureaucracy, Better Tribal Education Act This bill transfers specified functions relating to tribal education and job training from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of the Interior. Specifically, the bill transfers to Interior all the functions and authorities exercised by ED before the bill's effective date related to Indian elementary and secondary education, higher education, career and technical education, and vocational rehabilitation. (On November 18, 2025, ED announced an interagency agreement with Interior for Interior to manage competitions, provide technical assistance, and integrate ED's programs with Interior's programs, while ED maintains its statutory responsibilities and oversight.) The bill repeals (1) a program regarding science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; and (2) the Henry Kuualoha Giugni Kupuna Memorial Archives. Additionally, the bill transfers to Interior all personnel and appropriations related to the functions that are transferred under this bill. The bill outlines the authority of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to the functions that are transferred under this bill, including that OMB must ensure that this bill does not create a net increase in full-time equivalent employees at Interior or ED. OMB must certify compliance with the bill to specified congressional committees. The transfer of these functions does not affect any suits, proceedings, or applications for benefits, services, licenses, permits, certificates, or financial assistance that are pending on the date of this bill's enactment. The bill takes effect one year after ED corresponds with and publishes a response to Indian tribes on the bill's implementation.

Context
Committees
House Education and Workforce Committee
Policy area
Education: 22 of 3,602 bills became law, 113th–118th (0.6%)
Sponsor
2 of 55 bills enacted since 2013
Text versions
1: introduced in house · 2,402 words
Subjects
Alaska Natives and HawaiiansDepartment of EducationDepartment of the InteriorEducation programs fundingElementary and secondary educationExecutive agency funding and structure +5 more
Latest action
Jul 15, 2026: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 15.
Records
Congress.gov · Bill text
Exhibit 1Passage odds band at each stage, rated when the bill reached it [4]
Related bills · 0

The bill status record lists no related bills.

Exhibit 2Articles naming the bill per day, last 90 days, US sources [3]