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HR 55

A resolution to support the devolution of power from the United States Department of Education to the states and to urge the United States Congress to fully cooperate with these efforts.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Kelly

The state legislature expresses support for devolving federal K-12 education powers from the U.S. Department of Education to the states and urges Congress to cooperate.

adopted
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Bill Summary · HR 55

Summary — HR 55 (House Resolution No. 55)

Status: Adopted
Introduced: August 19, 2025 (filed); Adopted August 27, 2025
Document type: House resolution (symbolic, non‑binding)

Main purpose

HR 55 expresses the state legislature’s support for devolving education authority and responsibilities from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to the states, and urges the U.S. Congress to cooperate with efforts to return primary control of K–12 education to state and local governments.

Key findings cited in the resolution

  • Invokes the Tenth Amendment as the constitutional basis for reserving non‑delegated powers to states or the people, noting education is not a federally enumerated power.
  • Criticizes perceived federal overreach since ED’s creation in 1980, characterizing federal rules as “one‑size‑fits‑all.”
  • Cites federal spending figures: approximately $276 billion in one‑time COVID recovery spending and roughly $268 billion ED spending in FY2024.
  • Cites student achievement concerns: roughly 40% of 4th‑grade students reported below “basic” reading level in 2024 and about one‑third of 8th‑graders failing national reading benchmarks.

What the resolution does (provisions)

  • Formally states the legislature’s support for devolution of federal education powers to the states.
  • Urges the United States Congress to “fully cooperate” with such devolution efforts.
  • Directs that copies of the resolution be transmitted to the U.S. Secretary of Education, the President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House, and the state’s congressional delegation.

Who is affected

  • Direct legal effect: none. As a resolution, HR 55 is advisory/symbolic and does not itself change statutes, funding, or federal agencies.
  • Policy relevance: intended to influence federal and state policymakers, signal the state legislature’s preference to Congress and the Administration, and mobilize public debate among educators, districts, parents, and advocacy groups.
  • Practical implications (if followed by legislation): devolving ED functions would affect federal funding streams (Title I, IDEA, ESSER/other grants), civil‑rights enforcement in schools, federal accountability and testing rules, student loan programs, and interstate coordination.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Resolution introduced and moved rapidly through rules and consent/local calendars; adopted by the House (final adoption recorded August 27, 2025; reported enrolled August 28, 2025).
  • Because it is non‑binding, any substantive change (e.g., abolishing or materially reducing ED) would require congressional legislation and likely a multiyear transition and statutory framework.

Limitations and next steps

  • HR 55 expresses a policy position rather than imposing legal changes. Realizing the stated goal (devolution) would require federal legislative action and negotiations over funding, program continuity, legal authorities, and protections now administered by ED.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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