Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the introduction of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
Legislative Action
Immigration
S 1394, S 269
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved S 1394, a bill that would reduce legal immigration and restrict certain public benefits to legal immigrants, on March 28. On March 21, the committee approved S 269, which seeks to curb illegal immigration and the benefits undocumented aliens can receive, by a vote of 13-4. A companion House bill would allow states to deny a K-12 public education to undocumented children.
Juvenile Delinquency
The House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth, and Families held an oversight hearing March 28 on the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Act.
Charitable Programs
The Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families held a hearing March 26 on welfare reform and the role of private and community organizations. Sen. Daniel R. Coats, R-Ind., the subcommittee’s chairman, sought to begin discussion of ways to turn over government-run programs to local religious and other groups.
School Bus Safety
The Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee held a hearing April 2 on the safety of school buses.
Department of Education
Program Administration
Proposed rules
The Department of Education published in the March 26 Federal Register proposed rules implementing changes in administrative procedures made by the 1994 revision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Many of the changes give states more flexibility. For example, the rules outline how states can adopt their own standards for consolidating administrative program funds at the state and local levels. Comments are due May 10.
