I
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10551
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 24, 2026
Mr. Figures (for himself, Mrs. Hayes, and Mr. Ezell) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a Public Service Educational Assistance Program to provide educational assistance to the dependents of public service employees, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Public Service Educational Assistance Act
.
Establishment of the Public Service Educational Assistance Program
Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Public Service Educational Assistance Program to provide educational assistance to each dependent of each public service employee who, on or after the effective date of this Act, has at least 20 years of service as a public service employee, in the aggregate, and who was a public service employee on the date of enactment of this Act, or began service as a public service employee after the date of enactment of this Act.
Educational assistance
Educational assistance provided to a dependent under this Act—
shall be in an amount that covers the cost of tuition, fees, and books for a program of study at an applicable postsecondary educational institution located in a State where a dependent is eligible to receive in-State tuition; and
may be provided for not longer than 4 academic years.
Coordination with other Federal benefits
Concurrent benefits
A dependent may receive educational assistance under this Act concurrently with other forms of Federal student aid, including grants and loans under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), and other postsecondary education benefits under Federal, State, and local law.
No effect on retirement or other benefits
Educational assistance provided under this Act shall not be considered wages or compensation for purposes of determining eligibility for, or the amount of, any retirement or other employment-related benefit, except as otherwise provided by law.
Tax treatment
Educational assistance provided under this Act shall be exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Regulations
The Secretary shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out this Act.
Effective date
This Act shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
Definitions
In this Act:
Applicable postsecondary educational institution
The term applicable postsecondary educational institution
means—
a public institution of higher education; or
a public education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential.
Dependent
The term dependent
has the meaning given such term in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (determined by substituting 26
for 19
in subsection (c)(3)(A)(i) thereof and without regard to subsection (c)(3)(A)(ii) thereof).
Educator or teacher
The term educator or teacher
means an individual who is not an elected official and who is employed at a public elementary school, a public secondary school, a public school system, a State educational agency, or a local educational agency.
Elementary school; local educational agency; secondary school; State educational agency
The terms elementary school; local educational agency; secondary school; State educational agency
have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
First responder
The term first responder
includes a law enforcement officer or firefighter, including—
an employee of a government prosecutorial agency or a public defender;
a public safety telecommunicator, including a 911 operator or a fire dispatcher;
an emergency medical services member;
an employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
an employee of a State, local, or tribal emergency management agency; or
a Department of Energy nuclear courier or emergency response team member.
Full-time
The term full-time
means an employee who is employed at least 40 hours in a workweek.
Institution of higher education
The term institution of higher education
has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
Public service employee
The term public service employee
means an employee who works full-time—
as a first responder;
as an educator or teacher; or
as a social worker.
Recognized postsecondary credential
The term recognized postsecondary credential
has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
Secretary
The term Secretary
means the Secretary of Education.
Social worker
The term social worker
means an employee of a government entity that provides mental health services or child welfare services.