PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.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.
Congressional Research Service
No official summary is available in the imported record yet.
People & committees
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] · D–OR
Legislative record
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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.
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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
Source last updated: Sep 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2026-09-02 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
The proposed SIMPLE Act would change how certain federal student-loan borrowers receive repayment assistance after becoming delinquent or making required loan-rehabilitation payments. The Education Department would notify borrowers about repayment options and, under specified conditions, select an eligible income-driven repayment plan with the lowest monthly payment.
This Act may be cited as the Streamlining Income-driven, Manageable Payments on Loans for Education Act or the SIMPLE Act.
With respect to each borrower of a covered loan who is at least 31 days delinquent on such loan and who has not been subject to the procedures under this paragraph for such loan in the preceding 120 days, the Secretary shall, as soon as practicable after such 31-day delinquency, provide to the borrower the following:
With respect to each borrower who has made the 9th payment required for the loan rehabilitation described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, as soon as practicable after such payment
provide the borrower with the income-driven repayment plan that requires the lowest monthly payment amount for each covered loan of the borrower, compared to any other such plan for which the borrower is eligible
The proposal defines covered loans as loans made under the amended part of the Higher Education Act, purchased under section 459A, or assigned to the Secretary under section 428(c)(8). Other loans made, insured, or guaranteed under the same title would be noncovered loans. Its definition of income-driven repayment includes plans described in paragraph (1)(D) or (E) and the Repayment Assistance Plan under subsection (q); those referenced provisions are not reproduced.
(A) Covered loan The term covered loan means— (i) a loan made under this part; (ii) a loan purchased under section 459A; or (iii) a loan that has been assigned to the Secretary under section 428(c)(8). (B) Income-driven repayment plan The term income-driven repayment plan means a plan described in subparagraph (D) or (E) of paragraph (1), or the Repayment Assistance Plan under subsection (q). (C) Noncovered loan The term noncovered loan means a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under this title that is not a covered loan.
For the delinquency procedures, the Secretary would use approved tax-return disclosures to determine a borrower's income and family size, including a spouse's information when applicable. Borrowers and spouses could stop tax disclosures at any time and supply required information instead. Borrowers would have an opportunity to update disclosed information before the determination.
(i) use return information of the borrower (and the borrower's spouse, if applicable) disclosed under section 6103(l)(13) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, pursuant to approval provided under section 494, to determine the income and family size of the borrower (and the borrower's spouse, if applicable) without further action by the borrower; (ii) allow the borrower (or the spouse of the borrower), at any time, to opt out of disclosure under such section 6103(l)(13) and instead provide such information as the Secretary may require to determine the income and family size of the borrower (and the borrower's spouse, if applicable); and (iii) provide the borrower with an opportunity to update the return information so disclosed before the determination of the income and family size of the borrower for purposes of this paragraph.
Subject to the information or approval requirements described below, a borrower at least 31 days late on a covered loan would receive a notice as soon as practicable, unless that loan had gone through these procedures within the preceding 120 days. The notice would describe the borrower's delinquent and nondelinquent covered loans, noncovered loans, eligible repayment plans, and how to select a plan.
With respect to each borrower of a covered loan who is at least 31 days delinquent on such loan and who has not been subject to the procedures under this paragraph for such loan in the preceding 120 days, the Secretary shall, as soon as practicable after such 31-day delinquency, provide to the borrower the following: (i) Notification that the borrower is at least 31 days delinquent on at least 1 covered loan, and a description of all delinquent covered loans, nondelinquent covered loans, and noncovered loans of the borrower. (ii) A brief description of the repayment plans for which the borrower is eligible and the covered loans and noncovered loans of the borrower that may be eligible for such plans, based on information available to the Secretary. (iii) Clear and simple instructions on how to select the repayment plans.
require, as a condition of eligibility for the notification and automatic enrollment procedures for borrowers who are delinquent on loans under section 455(d)(8), that such individuals— (I) affirmatively approve the disclosure described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) and agree that such approval shall serve as an ongoing approval of such disclosure until the date on which the individual elects to opt out of such disclosure under section 455(d)(8)(A)(ii); or (II) provide such information as the Secretary may require to carry out the procedures under section 455(d)(8) with respect to such individual.
The notice would show monthly payments under eligible plans using available information. When income information is available, it would show income-driven payment amounts and the income, family size, tax-filing status, and tax year used. It would also explain how to update the information.
(iv) The amount of monthly payments for the covered and noncovered loans under the repayment plans for which the borrower is eligible, based on information available to the Secretary, including, if the income information of the borrower is available to the Secretary under subparagraph (A)— (I) the amount of the monthly payment under each income-driven repayment plan for which the borrower is eligible for the borrower's covered and noncovered loans, based on such income information; and (II) the income, family size, tax filing status, and tax year information on which each monthly payment is based.
(vii) Instructions on updating the information of the borrower obtained under subparagraph (A).
The notice would explain a special rule when adjusted gross income is unavailable and all the borrower's covered loans were made before July 1, 2026. If the selected income-driven plan defines discretionary income so that someone not required to file an income-tax return under the cited provision could owe more than $0 monthly, other satisfactory income documentation would be required. Under an income-driven plan not meeting that description, no such documentation would be required and the calculated monthly payment would be $0.
(v) An explanation that in the case of a borrower for whom adjusted gross income is unavailable and who only has covered loans made prior to July 1, 2026— (I) if the borrower selects to repay the covered loans of such borrower pursuant to an income-driven repayment plan that defines discretionary income in such a manner that an individual not required under section 6012(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to file a return with respect to income taxes imposed by subtitle A of such Code may have a calculated monthly payment greater than $0, the borrower will be required to provide the Secretary with other documentation of income satisfactory to the Secretary, which documentation the Secretary may use to determine an appropriate repayment schedule; and (II) if the borrower selects to repay such loans pursuant to an income-driven repayment plan that is not described in subclause (I), the borrower will not be required to provide the Secretary with such other documentation of income, and the borrower will have a calculated monthly payment of $0.
The initial automatic-selection provision addresses notified borrowers who are at least 75 days delinquent and have not selected a new repayment plan. It also requires their plan to meet the cross-referenced payment condition: when the current plan is not income-driven, its monthly payments must exceed those under an income-driven plan. The notice would explain these conditions. The conditional wording does not clearly establish that every borrower already on an income-driven plan is excluded.
(vi) An explanation that the Secretary shall take the actions under subparagraph (C) with respect to such borrower, if— (I) the borrower is 75 days delinquent on one or more covered loans and has not selected a new repayment plan for the covered loans of the borrower; and (II) in the case of such a borrower whose repayment plan for the covered loans of the borrower is not an income-driven repayment plan, the monthly payments under such repayment plan are higher than such monthly payments would be under an income-driven repayment plan for such loans.
With respect to each borrower described in subparagraph (B) who has a repayment plan for the covered loans of the borrower that meets the requirements of clause (vi)(II) of subparagraph (B) and has not selected a new repayment plan for such loans in accordance with the notice received under such subparagraph, and who is at least 75 days delinquent on such a loan, the Secretary shall, as soon as practicable
Under the delinquency selection process, when any covered loans qualify for income-driven repayment, the Secretary would select the eligible income-driven plan with the lowest monthly payment for each covered loan. A tie would be resolved by choosing the plan with the most favorable terms. The borrower could change that selection to another eligible plan described in paragraph (1).
(i) in a case in which any of the borrower's covered loans are eligible for an income-driven repayment plan— (I) (aa) provide the borrower with the income-driven repayment plan that requires the lowest monthly payment amount for each covered loan of the borrower, compared to any other such plan for which the borrower is eligible; or (bb) if more than one income-driven repayment plan would offer the borrower the same lowest monthly payment amount, provide the borrower with the income-driven repayment plan that has the most favorable terms for the borrower
(III) authorize the borrower to change the Secretary’s selection of a plan under this clause to any plan described in paragraph (1) for which the borrower is eligible
If the plan selected through the delinquency process differs from the income-driven plan that would have the lowest monthly payment for the borrower's covered and noncovered loans if the borrower qualified, the Secretary would notify the borrower of actions, if any, available to become eligible for that plan. If none of the covered loans qualifies for income-driven repayment, the Secretary would notify the borrower of actions, if any, available to make those loans eligible.
(II) if the plan selected under subclause (I) is not the income-driven repayment plan that would have the lowest monthly payment amount if the borrower were eligible for such plan for the borrower’s covered loans and noncovered loans, notify the borrower of the actions, if any, the borrower may take to become eligible for such income-driven repayment plan
(ii) in a case in which none of the borrower’s covered loans are eligible for an income-driven repayment plan, notify the borrower of the actions, if any, the borrower may take for such loans to become eligible for such a plan.
A borrower who selects a new plan after receiving the notice but remains delinquent for the specified period would undergo another selection process if it would lower monthly payments on that loan. The Secretary would set a period sufficient to indicate that a new plan may benefit the borrower, with a minimum of 60 days, and act as soon as practicable afterward.
With respect to each borrower of a covered loan who selects a new repayment plan in accordance with the notice received under subparagraph (B) and who continues to be delinquent on such loan for a period described in clause (ii), the Secretary shall, as soon as practicable after such period, carry out the procedures described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (C) for the covered loans of the borrower, if such procedures would result in lower monthly repayment amounts on such loan.
The duration of the period described in clause (i) shall be the amount of time that the Secretary determines is sufficient to indicate that the borrower may benefit from repaying such loan under a new repayment plan, but in no case shall such period be less than 60 days.
For borrowers rehabilitating defaulted covered loans, the Secretary would establish a similar system for obtaining approved tax information about income and family size. Borrowers and spouses could opt out of tax disclosures at any time and provide required information instead, and borrowers could update disclosed information before the determination.
The Secretary shall establish and implement, with respect to any borrower who is rehabilitating a covered loan pursuant to section 428F(a), procedures to— (i) use return information of the borrower (and the borrower's spouse, if applicable) disclosed section 6103(l)(13) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, pursuant to approval provided under section 494, to obtain such information as is reasonably necessary regarding the income and family size of the borrower (and the borrower's spouse, if applicable); (ii) allow the borrower (or the spouse of the borrower), at any time, to opt out of disclosure under such section 6103(l)(13) and instead provide such information as the Secretary may require to obtain such information; and (iii) provide the borrower with an opportunity to update the return information so disclosed before the determination of income and family size of the borrower (and the borrower's spouse, if applicable) for purposes of this paragraph.
Borrowers rehabilitating loans would receive notice of the selection process within 30 days after their sixth required rehabilitation payment. The Secretary would carry out the process as soon as practicable after the ninth required payment.
(B) Borrower notification Not later than 30 days after a borrower makes the 6th payment required for the loan rehabilitation described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall notify the borrower of the process under subparagraph (C) with respect to such loan. (C) Secretary’s selection of plan With respect to each borrower who has made the 9th payment required for the loan rehabilitation described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, as soon as practicable after such payment
The rehabilitation selection process would consider covered loans whether or not each loan had been rehabilitated. When income-driven repayment is available, the Secretary would select the eligible income-driven plan with the lowest monthly payment for each covered loan, choosing the most favorable terms when payments tie.
(i) in a case in which any of the borrower's covered loans, without regard to whether the loan has been so rehabilitated, is eligible for an income-driven repayment plan— (I) (aa) provide the borrower with the income-driven repayment plan that requires the lowest monthly payment amount for each covered loan of the borrower, compared to any other such plan for which the borrower is eligible; or (bb) if more than one income-driven repayment plan would offer the borrower the same lowest monthly payment amount, provide the borrower with the income-driven repayment plan that has the most favorable terms for the borrower
If the plan selected through the rehabilitation process differs from the income-driven plan that would have the lowest monthly payment for the borrower's covered and noncovered loans if the borrower qualified, the Secretary would notify the borrower of actions, if any, available to become eligible for that plan. If none of the covered loans qualifies for income-driven repayment, the Secretary would notify the borrower of actions, if any, available to make such a loan eligible.
(II) if the plan selected under subclause (I) is not the income-driven repayment plan that would have the lowest monthly payment amount if the borrower were eligible for such plan for the borrower’s covered loans and noncovered loans, notify the borrower of the actions, if any, the borrower may take to become eligible for such income-driven repayment plan; and (ii) in a case in which none of the borrower’s covered loans are eligible for an income-driven repayment plan, notify the borrower of the actions, if any, the borrower may take for such a loan to become eligible for such a plan.
The automatic-recertification amendment addresses borrowers whose adjusted gross income is unavailable, as its heading states. For such a borrower who selects an income-contingent repayment plan for a covered loan whose discretionary-income definition produces a $0 monthly payment, the inserted provision would waive the information requirements referenced in clauses (i) and (ii) and ensure a calculated monthly payment of $0. The surrounding statutory requirements are not reproduced, so their full scope cannot be established from this source.
(3) Automatic recertification (A) Borrower for whom adjusted gross income is unavailable Section 455(e)(8)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(e)(8)(A)) is amended
(iii) in the case of a borrower who has selected to repay a covered loan (as defined in subsection (d)(10)) pursuant to an income contingent repayment plan that defines discretionary income in such a manner that the borrower would have a calculated monthly payment equal to $0, not require the borrower to provide the Secretary the information described in clause (i) or (ii), and ensure that the borrower will have a calculated monthly payment of $0
Within the automatic-recertification amendments, the bill would replace the reference to a loan made under the relevant statutory part in section 455(e)(8)(B) with the defined term covered loan, which also includes specified purchased and assigned loans. The surrounding provision is not reproduced.
(B) Inclusion of covered loans Section 455(e)(8)(B) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(e)(8)(B)) is amended by striking a loan made under this part and inserting a covered loan (as defined in subsection (d)(10)).
(A) Covered loan The term covered loan means— (i) a loan made under this part; (ii) a loan purchased under section 459A; or (iii) a loan that has been assigned to the Secretary under section 428(c)(8).
Under the replacement text for section 493C(b)(8), borrowers repaying loans made, insured, or guaranteed under part B or D through income-based repayment could leave that plan at any time and choose any repayment plan for which the loan is eligible, subject to the applicable part's requirements. The source does not reproduce the provision being replaced.
(4) Changing plans Section 493C(b)(8) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1098e(b)(8)) is amended to read as follows:
(8) a borrower who is repaying a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B or D pursuant to income-based repayment may elect, at any time, to terminate repayment pursuant to income-based repayment and repay such loan under any repayment plan for which the loan is eligible in accordance with the requirements of part B or part D, respectively
Eligibility for the new delinquency notification and automatic-enrollment procedures would require the borrower and any spouse either to affirmatively approve ongoing tax disclosures or to provide the information the Secretary requires. Approval would continue until the individual opts out. The Secretary would also provide the notification referenced in section 494(a)(1)(A)(i), whose text is not supplied.
In the case of an individual who is a borrower of a covered loan and who is at least 31 days delinquent on such loan, the Secretary, with respect to such individual and any spouse of such individual, shall— (i) provide to such individuals the notification described in paragraph (1)(A)(i); and (ii) require, as a condition of eligibility for the notification and automatic enrollment procedures for borrowers who are delinquent on loans under section 455(d)(8), that such individuals— (I) affirmatively approve the disclosure described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) and agree that such approval shall serve as an ongoing approval of such disclosure until the date on which the individual elects to opt out of such disclosure under section 455(d)(8)(A)(ii); or (II) provide such information as the Secretary may require to carry out the procedures under section 455(d)(8) with respect to such individual.
For written or electronic applications to rehabilitate a covered loan, the borrower and any spouse would have to approve ongoing tax disclosures or provide required information as a condition of rehabilitation eligibility. Approval would continue until the individual opts out. The Secretary would also provide the notification referenced in section 494(a)(1)(A)(i), whose text is not supplied.
In the case of any written or electronic application by an individual for the rehabilitation of a covered loan pursuant to section 428F(a), the Secretary, with respect to such individual and any spouse of such individual, shall— (i) provide to such individuals the notification described in paragraph (1)(A)(i); and (ii) require, as a condition of eligibility for loan rehabilitation pursuant to section 428F(a), that such individuals— (I) affirmatively approve the disclosure described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) and agree that such approval shall serve as an ongoing approval of such disclosure until the date on which the individual elects to opt out of such disclosure under section 455(d)(9)(A)(ii); or (II) provide such information as the Secretary may require to carry out the procedures under section 455(d)(9) with respect to such individual.
The proposal would replace references to part D loans with the defined term covered loans in specified existing provisions governing requests for and disclosure of tax information. It would also add references to the new disclosure subparagraph (D) in redesignated tax-code provisions (E)(i), (F), and (G). Because the surrounding provisions are not reproduced, the source supports these textual changes but does not establish their complete operation.
(i) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking a loan under part D and inserting a covered loan (as defined in section 455(d)(10)); and (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking a loan under part D and inserting a covered loan (as defined in section 455(d)(10))
Section 6103(l)(13)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking loans under part D of such title and inserting covered loans (as defined in section 455(d)(10) of such Act).
(B) Section 6103(l)(13)(E)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as redesignated by paragraph (1)) is amended by striking and (C) and inserting (C), and (D). (C) Subparagraphs (F) and (G) of section 6103(l)(13) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as redesignated by paragraph (1)) are each amended by striking or (C) and inserting (C), or (D).
A new tax-code provision would require disclosure of specified tax-return information to authorized people upon the Education Secretary's written request. Disclosure would be limited to the purpose of, and extent necessary for, the new delinquency and rehabilitation procedures and to returns of individuals certified as having approved disclosure under the specified approval provision. The referenced list of return information is not reproduced.
The Secretary shall, upon written request from the Secretary of Education, disclose to any authorized person, only for the purpose of (and to the extent necessary in) carrying out paragraphs (8) and (9) of section 455(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, return information described in clauses (i) through (vi) of subparagraph (A) from returns of an individual certified by the Secretary of Education as having provided approval under section 494(a)(4) of such Act (as in effect on the date of enactment of this paragraph) for such disclosure.
The automatic-enrollment procedures, definitions, recertification amendments, and tax-information request and approval amendments would take effect July 1, 2028, applying to all covered-loan borrowers for award year 2028–2029 and subsequent award years, subject to the provisions' individual conditions. The plan-switching amendment would take effect upon enactment. Tax-code disclosure amendments would apply to disclosures after enactment.
(1) Automatic enrollment The amendments made by paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (5) of subsection (a) shall— (A) apply to all borrowers of covered loans (as defined in section 455(d)(10) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by subsection (a)); and (B) take effect on July 1, 2028, and shall apply with respect to award year 2028–2029 and each subsequent award year, as determined under the Higher Education Act of 1965. (2) Changing plans The amendment made by subsection (a)(4) shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act. (3) Disclosure The amendments made by subsection (b) shall apply to disclosures after the date of enactment of this Act.
The supplied official-actions snapshot, updated September 10, 2026, records introduction in the House on September 2, 2026, and referral that day to the Education and Workforce and Ways and Means committees for provisions within their respective jurisdictions.
Source snapshot updated 2026-09-10T14:09:52Z.
2026-09-02: Introduced in House
2026-09-02: 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 closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2026-09-02. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No provision unrelated to the bill's main subject or policy change attached to appropriations was identified after reviewing the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version and does not establish absence in other versions or accompanying materials, or any amendment's attachment history.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending for particular recipients or places was identified after reviewing the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version; it does not establish absence in other versions or accompanying materials, and the source set cannot establish formal earmark status.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
Findings to examine
The complete supplied introduced text contains a narrow exception warranting scrutiny under the targeted-benefits definition. This classification is limited to that version and is not a judgment about the exception's justification or effects.
The delinquency notice provision describes a documentation exemption and $0 calculated monthly payment for borrowers whose adjusted gross income is unavailable and whose covered loans were all made before July 1, 2026, if they select an income-driven plan outside the category described in subclause (I). That category covers plans whose discretionary-income definition can produce a positive payment for someone not required to file an income-tax return under the cited provision. The exception is tied directly to the bill's repayment policy but warrants a targeted-benefit finding because the loan-date, income-information, and plan conditions narrow who receives the exemption and payment treatment. The supplied text does not establish how this treatment compares with all existing-law requirements.
(v) An explanation that in the case of a borrower for whom adjusted gross income is unavailable and who only has covered loans made prior to July 1, 2026— (I) if the borrower selects to repay the covered loans of such borrower pursuant to an income-driven repayment plan that defines discretionary income in such a manner that an individual not required under section 6012(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to file a return with respect to income taxes imposed by subtitle A of such Code may have a calculated monthly payment greater than $0, the borrower will be required to provide the Secretary with other documentation of income satisfactory to the Secretary, which documentation the Secretary may use to determine an appropriate repayment schedule; and (II) if the borrower selects to repay such loans pursuant to an income-driven repayment plan that is not described in subclause (I), the borrower will not be required to provide the Secretary with such other documentation of income, and the borrower will have a calculated monthly payment of $0.
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Sep 10, 2026. How PlainBill uses AI