Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB1033

Introduced
2/5/25  

Caption

College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability Act of 2025 or the COLUMBIA Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish a program to appoint third-party anti-Semitism monitors at certain institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, ED must establish this program to appoint a monitor at an IHE that (1) has a high incidence of anti-Semitic activity (based on data received from ED's Office for Civil Rights), and (2) receives federal funds for higher education. ED must develop an anti-Semitism monitorship agreement that (1) designates the terms and conditions of the monitorship, and (2) requires the IHE to provide for the monitor's reasonable expenses. The bill requires the monitor tooperate under the monitorship agreement developed by ED and entered into with the IHE; provide publicly available quarterly reports that evaluate the IHE's progress in combating anti-Semitism on campus; andprovide annual reports to Congress, ED, state and local governments (as needed), and the IHE that include recommendations for actions, policies, and sanctions to prevent and reduce anti-Semitism at the IHE.

Impact

This legislation is expected to have a notable impact on the monitoring and reporting mechanisms in place at universities that receive federal funding. Institutions will be mandated to comply with the oversight of the antisemitism monitors, who will facilitate quarterly evaluations of the progress made by these universities in combatting antisemitism on campus. These reports not only enhance transparency but also introduce an accountability layer for higher education institutions regarding their policies and actions related to antisemitism.

Summary

House Bill 1033, known as the COLUMBIA Act of 2025, aims to address antisemitism within institutions of higher education by establishing a program that appoints independent monitors specifically for this purpose. The bill's primary goal is to enhance oversight and accountability in universities where a significant incidence of antisemitic activity has been reported. Within 180 days of the enactment, the Secretary of Education is required to implement this program and facilitate the agreements between the hired monitors and the educational institutions involved.

Contention

The bill raises important discussions around the balance between monitoring for hate speech and preserving academic freedom. Advocates for the bill argue that addressing antisemitism is crucial to safeguarding the educational environment, while some critics may express concern about potential overreach and the implications such monitoring could have on free speech. The establishment of a system to interrogate institutional conduct regarding antisemitism could lead to debates on the definitions of bias and discrimination, especially in highly political environments where discourse is often contentious.

Congress_id

119-HR-1033

Policy_area

Education

Introduced_date

2025-02-05

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB3773

Stop Anti-Semitism on College Campuses Act

US SB3078

Stop Anti-Semitism on College Campuses Act

US HB65

Ending Common Core and Expanding School Choice Act This bill revises requirements related to federal education funding for disadvantaged children. Specifically, the bill (1) eliminates the standards, assessments, and academic accountability requirements for state and local educational agencies that receive federal funds for the education of disadvantaged children; (2) requires such funds to be allocated based on the number of children residing in each state who are living in poverty; and (3) allows educational agencies to distribute per-pupil amounts from such funds to parents for qualified elementary and secondary education expenses. The bill prohibits federal officers or employees from mandating academic standards, assessments, curricula, or accountability systems.

US HB66

Native American Education Opportunity Act This bill addresses education savings account programs and charter schools for tribal students. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior, at the request of federally recognized Indian tribes, to provide funds to tribes for tribal-based education savings account programs. Tribes must use these funds to award grants to education savings accounts for students who (1) attended or will be eligible to attend a school operated by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE); or (2) will not be attending a school operated by the BIE, receiving an education savings account from another tribe, or attending public elementary or secondary school while participating in the program. Funds may be used for items and activities such as costs of attendance at private schools, private tutoring and online learning programs, textbooks, educational software, or examination fees. The Government Accountability Office must review the implementation of these education savings account programs, including any factors impacting increased participation in such programs. Additionally, the bill authorizes the BIE to approve and fund charter schools at any school that it operates or funds.

US HB309

Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that receive grants to operate work-study programs to notify a student receiving work-study assistance that the student may be eligible for participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Department of Education must provide guidance to states and IHEs on how to identify and communicate with students who are potentially eligible for SNAP.

US HB7231

CAMPUS Act Combating Anti-Semitic Messaging and Promoting Unity in School Act

US HB10534

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education, as a condition of participating in programs under title IV of such Act, to annually conduct a survey to measure student experiences with discrimination at such institutions, and for other purposes.

US HB452

Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a program to provide children with parents on active duty in the uniformed services with funds to pay educational expenses. Specifically, ED must establish a tax-exempt Military Education Savings Account for dependent children of parents in the uniformed services for the payment of the children's educational expenses. Funds in the savings account may be used for specified purposes, including the cost of attendance at a private elementary or secondary school or institution of higher education, private tutoring, or costs associated with an apprenticeship or other vocational training program.

US HR1239

Strongly condemning the rise of antisemitism on campuses of institutions of higher education across the United States.

US SB65

Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Education to award grants to high-need local educational agencies, high-need schools, and local governments to establish, expand, or support school-based mentoring programs that assist at-risk students in developing cognitive skills and promoting social-emotional learning to prepare them for success in high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce. Additionally, the bill directs the Institute of Education Sciences to conduct a study to identify successful school-based mentoring programs and evaluate the effectiveness of the grant program established by this bill.

Similar Bills

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Permits Secretary of Higher Education to appoint antisemitism monitor to any institution of higher education; requires institution to implement recommendations of antisemitism monitor.

NJ A4853

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NJ S3340

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NJ A4319

"Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act"; prohibits distribution of State aid to an institution of higher education that authorizes, funds, or supports antisemitic events or organizations or fails to punish acts of antisemitism on campus.

AR SB352

To Prohibit Antisemitism In Public Elementary And Secondary Schools; And To Prohibit Antisemitism In State-supported Institutions Of Higher Education.

AZ HB2867

Antisemitism; public schools; prohibition; penalties

NJ S2940

Prohibits institution of higher education from authorizing, funding, or supporting hate speech or antisemitic events and organizations.

NJ S4256

Prohibits institution of higher education from authorizing, funding, or supporting hate speech or antisemitic events and organizations.