Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the introduction of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
Legislative Action
Immigration Reform
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on immigration held a hearing last week on proposals to reform and reduce legal immigration.
Religion in Schools
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing last week on religious-liberty issues, including religion in public schools, hearing from several people involved in school-related disputes. Proponents of amending the U.S. Constitution to provide greater protection for religious liberty have yet to release a specific proposal.
The Education Department
Grant Administration
Final Rules
The Department of Education has published rules implementing administrative changes made when the Elementary and Secondary Education ACT was reauthorized last year. The rules cut paperwork, allow states to submit school-improvement plans for longer than three years, and specify oversight procedures for state grant administration. The notice appeared in the Sept. 6 Federal Register; the rules take effect Oct. 6.
