PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · Oct 14, 1997
Charter Schools Amendments Act of 1997 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize a State educational agency (SEA) to use funds for planning, designing, and initial implementation of public charter schools. Requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to use innovative assistance funds for the same purpose. Extends the grant program period of eligibility. Allows basic grants or subgrants for planning, design, or initial implementation of charter schools to be awarded for a period of up to five years, which may be followed by an additional two-year extension period. Sets forth certain priorities for awarding grants to SEAs. Bases such priorities on requirements of State laws regarding charter schools' budget autonomy, increased numbers, and periodic review and evaluation. Includes among requirements for SEA applications a description of how the SEA will: (1) inform each charter school of available Federal programs and funds that each such school is eligible to receive; (2) ensure that each such school receives its commensurate share of Federal education funds allocated by formula; and (3) disseminate best or promising practices of charter schools to LEAs. Includes among selection criteria for awarding grants to SEAs the number of charter schools created in the State. Eliminates provisions for State revolving trust funds for charter schools. Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) reserve a specified amount for national activities on behalf of such schools; and (2) ensure that each public charter school receives its full share of funding LEAs for helping disadvantaged children meet high standards. Sets forth requirements for student records transfer and for paperwork reduction. Specifies that a public charter school: (1) must have a performance contract with the authorized public chartering agency in the State; and (2) is a school to which parents choose to send their children. Extends the authorization of appropriations.
People & committees
Rep. Riggs, Frank [R-CA-1] · R–CA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 105-278.
Became Public Law No: 105-278.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 369 - 50 (Roll No. 519). (consideration: CR H10409-10410)
House roll call 519 · Individual votesResolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 369 - 50 (Roll No. 519).(consideration: CR H10409-10410)
House roll call 519 · Individual votesAt the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Mr. Riggs moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 3795 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 3795 proposed by Senator Jeffords for Senator Coats.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S12069)
Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Hearings held.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Received in the Senate.
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2616.
On motion to table the motion to reconsider Agreed to by recorded vote: 256 - 163 (Roll no. 612).
House roll call 612 · Individual votesMr. Riggs moved to table the motion to reconsider
Mr. Doggett moved to reconsider the vote.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 367 - 57 (Roll no. 611).
House roll call 611 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 367 - 57 (Roll no. 611).
House roll call 611 · Individual votesThe House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2616.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Tierney amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Tierney objected to the vote on grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings were postponed.
On motion that the Committee rise. Failed by recorded vote: 75 - 334 (Roll no. 609).
House roll call 609 · Individual votesMs. Velazquez moved that the Committee rise.
Mr. Riggs asked unanimous consent that the following amendments be included in the Pastore amendment and that the Pastore amendment be considered en bloc: An amendment by Mr. Kingston and an amendment by Mr. Traficant.
On motion that the Committee rise Failed by recorded vote: 71 - 348 (Roll no. 608).
House roll call 608 · Individual votesMr. Menendez moved that the Committee rise.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10183-10200)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2616 as unfinished business.
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Riggs moved that the Committee rise.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Riggs amendment.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 288 and Rule XXIII.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Vince Snowbarger to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2746 and H.R. 2616.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 288. (consideration: CR H9970-9983)
Rule H. Res. 288 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 288 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2746 and H.R. 2616.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 185.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 105-321. Filed late, pursuant to previous special order.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 105-321. Filed late, pursuant to previous special order.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 8.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.2616 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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