Bill · S. 5317· Senate(119-S-5317)
INSPIRES Act
- Introduced
- 8/6/2026
- Last activity
- 8/6/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Brian Schatz
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The INSPIRES Act aims to improve STEM education by funding facility projects for schools in grades 6 through 12. It focuses on schools located in rural areas or those serving Native American students. The bill establishes a grant program for remodeling or building new STEM classrooms, laboratories, and high-speed internet infrastructure. Additionally, it creates a program to support the modernization, renovation, or repair of career and technical education facilities. This is intended to help meet the growing demand for skilled workers in various job sectors.
Yes· 3 of 15
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+7
The bill explicitly provides resources to improve STEM access for Native American students and schools.
Does this put more money into public schools?+7
The bill provides significant new funding for school facility renovations and STEM programs.
Would students be better off under this?+6
The bill directly enhances learning environments and opportunities for middle and high school students.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved STEM access for underserved communities: The bill provides funds for schools in rural areas and those serving Native American students to build or remodel STEM classrooms and laboratories (Section 4). This addresses the finding that many Native American students lack equitable access to a full range of math and science courses (Section 2).
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Modernized learning environments: The program supports the modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities to include up-to-date technology infrastructure and high-speed internet (Section 3). This helps address the issue where 54 percent of school buildings in the United States need significant repairs or upgrades (Section 2).
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Support for career and technical training: The act establishes a program to improve career and technical education facilities through grants, loan guarantees, or interest payments on bonds (Section 5). This can help prepare students for the "new collar" economy and high-technology careers (Section 2).
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Enhanced student safety and efficiency: Qualified projects can include updates related to student, faculty, and staff health and safety, as well as improving the energy efficiency of facilities (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial matching requirements for states and agencies: States receiving allotments must provide a 25 percent match from non-Federal sources, and eligible agencies receiving subgrants must provide a 10 percent match (Section 4). This places a financial burden on the entities seeking the funds.
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Administrative costs: The Secretary is permitted to reserve up to 3 percent of the appropriated funds for administrative costs and technical assistance (Section 4 and Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+7Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Students+6Good For Children+5Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Young Adults+4Good For Business Owners+2Good For Farmers+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding+7Improves Internet Access+5Increases Scientific Research Funding+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+6
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California