The bill transfers educational functions from the Department of Education to the Secretary of Labor, impacting academic achievement and support for educators. It also addresses the transfer of appropriations, personnel, and assets, overseen by the Office of Management and Budget. The Secretary of Labor can delegate these functions, with a focus on continuity of administrative procedures, judicial reviews, and personnel utilization during the 6-month transition period. The bill emphasizes seamless transfer of legal documents and proceedings and broadly defines the term "function" to cover various agencies' operations.
Less Bureaucracy, Better K-12 Education Act
This bill transfers specified functions relating to elementary and secondary education from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of Labor.
Specifically, the bill transfers to Labor all the functions and authorities exercised by ED before the bill's effective date related to elementary and secondary education programs. These programs include, among others, programs for disadvantaged students, migratory students, at-risk students, and English language learners, as well as programs for teacher development, literacy, and charter schools. (On November 18, 2025, ED announced an interagency agreement with Labor for Labor to manage competitions, provide technical assistance, and integrate ED's programs with Labor's existing employment and training programs, while ED must maintain its statutory responsibilities and program oversight.)
Additionally, the bill transfers to Labor all personnel and appropriations related to the functions that are transferred under this bill.
The bill outlines the authority of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to the functions that are transferred under this bill, including that OMB must ensure that this bill does not create a net increase in full-time equivalent employees at Labor or ED. Further, OMB must certify compliance with the bill to specified congressional committees.
The transfer of these functions does not affect any suits, proceedings, or applications for benefits, services, licenses, permits, certificates, or financial assistance that are pending on the date of this bill's effective date.
