Madeleine Dean (D-PA)
AID Local Government Leadership Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes a community grant program administered by the Secretary of Labor to support local governments that elect or appoint a person with a disability. The program provides funding for reasonable accommodations so these officials can carry out their official work duties. Eligible local governments must be in rural areas, have a population under 10,000, or have a population between 10,000 and 200,000 with a poverty rate of 18 percent or greater. Grants will range from $3,000 to $50,000 per year and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out. The legislation authorizes $5,000,000 to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2033.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +8
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill directly supports local elected or appointed officials with disabilities by funding necessary workplace accommodations.
- Scored +7
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill establishes a grant program to provide reasonable accommodations for elected or appointed local officials with disabilities.
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The legislation specifically provides support and funding opportunities for rural local governments.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes $5,000,000 in appropriations annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2033 for the community grant program.
- Scored -1
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
Federal involvement in local government administration is increased via federally prescribed reporting and matching requirements.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Officials with Disabilities: Under Section 4(a), grants can be used to provide reasonable accommodations like physical adaptations of office spaces, specialized software, sign language interpreters, and transportation services for work events. This helps elected or appointed officials with disabilities perform their jobs.
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Building Long-Term Funding Capacity: Under Section 4(e)(1)(B), eligible entities must provide non-Federal matching funds equal to at least 25 percent of the grant amount and maintain a funding account for at least 4 years after the grant period. This helps local governments build consistent and adequate funding for future accommodations.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burden on Local Governments: Under Section 4(e)(1)(B)(ii), local governments are required to provide non-Federal matching funds equal to not less than 25 percent of the grant amount for each fiscal year. This could be a financial strain for small or impoverished local governments.
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Strict Limits and Competition for Funds: Under Section 4(b)(1), grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the appropriated funds are exhausted. Local governments that apply late may miss out on needed funding entirely.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill directly supports local elected or appointed officials with disabilities by funding necessary workplace accommodations. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The legislation specifically provides support and funding opportunities for rural local governments. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Grants are directed toward local governments with high poverty rates of 18 percent or greater, assisting impoverished communities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill establishes a grant program to provide reasonable accommodations for elected or appointed local officials with disabilities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The legislation provides targeted financial support and capacity building for rural local governments.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires detailed annual reporting regarding grant impacts, recipient demographics, and fund utilization. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes a new federally administered grant program managed by the Department of Labor. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Federal involvement in local government administration is increased via federally prescribed reporting and matching requirements.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes $5,000,000 in appropriations annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2033 for the community grant program.
- 10/1/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mary Gay ScanlonDemocrat · Pennsylvania