MAGNET Act
Expands federal magnet school grants and creates new grants to promote racial and socioeconomic diversity.
In the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee since Sept. 23, 2026, 15 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 23, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Magnet schools offer specialized programs within public schools, and federal grants can help agencies develop them. The MAGNET Act would expand the existing grant program to state education agencies and create a separate grant for efforts to promote racial and socioeconomic diversity. It would also set priorities, reporting rules, and limits for those grants.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Creates supplemental diversity grants
The Education Secretary could award these grants to state education agencies, local education agencies, and consortia that have not received a Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant in the preceding 3 years and want to adopt evidence-based practices to promote racial and socioeconomic diversity. A grant could last no more than 5 fiscal years and could not exceed $7,500,000.
- Expands who can receive existing grants
State education agencies could apply for grants under the existing Magnet Schools Assistance Program, which the bill currently describes as serving local education agencies and their consortia. The bill also gives greater priority to proposals meeting multiple selection criteria and to grants for agencies that did not receive program funding in the prior fiscal year when appropriations exceed $75,000,000.
- Prioritizes inclusive magnet school designs
For existing program grants, the Secretary would give priority to proposals for whole-school magnets, inter-district school choice, locations that improve diversity and transportation access for low-income students, districtwide or statewide improvements, and inclusive enrollment practices. Applicants meeting more than one criterion would receive additional priority.
- Sets grant rules and accountability
Supplemental grant applicants would describe their plans for enrollment, family outreach, student achievement, integration, and school climate. Recipients would report annually; the Secretary would make those reports public and would take enforcement action if recipients fail to show specified improvements. Grants could not go to entities planning to charge application fees or use admissions criteria related to fees.
- Authorizes funding for five years
The bill authorizes such sums as may be necessary for the Magnet Schools Assistance Program for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. From any amount appropriated, at least $109,000,000 would be spent on the program other than supplemental diversity grants; amounts above that could be used for the new grants.
The bill cites research findings that students in diverse schools can benefit academically and socially, and that students in highly segregated schools often face resource inequities. It also cites a Government Accountability Office report on racial concentration in schools and the connection between predominantly Black, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native schools and high levels of student poverty.
The proposal is intended to support voluntary efforts to increase diversity within and across school districts. It would create a new grant avenue for that work while linking funding to plans, public reporting, and demonstrated improvements.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 23, 2026SENATESEP 23, 2026By Sen. Murphy with 4 original cosponsorsReferred to Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 23, 2026HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, & PENSIONS NOWSEP 23, 2026In committee for 15 daysNo hearing yet
- 15 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 232026SEP 23, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- SEP 232026SEP 23, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 15, this bill is already older than 4% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 4 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Murphy’s record: sponsored 51 bills this Congress. 0 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Richard BlumenthalD-CTORIGINAL
- Cory A. BookerD-NJORIGINAL
- Tim KaineD-VAORIGINAL
- Chris Van HollenD-MDORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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