H.R. 3131 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Education and Workforce, May 1, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExtends antipoverty grant program through 2032
This bill renews the Community Services Block Grant program, which funnels money to states, tribes, and territories to support local antipoverty efforts. It makes permanent a rule that people earning up to 200% of the poverty line can receive services and assistance. The bill also opens up the program to fund broadband access and digital literacy training for low-income communities, and gives states more flexibility to respond to economic emergencies.
How it affects you
If you're living below or near the poverty line, you may become eligible for a wider range of assistance through local community organizations in your area, including help accessing high-speed internet and digital skills training. The changes mainly affect how states and local nonprofits deliver these services rather than creating entirely new programs for individuals.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, May 1, 2025)
Community Services Block Grant Improvement Act of 2025
This bill reauthorizes the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program through FY2032 and makes certain changes to the program and associated eligibility requirements. The CSBG program supports various antipoverty activities, primarily through formula-based allotments to states, tribes, and territories, the majority of which must be made available in grants to eligible local entities.
Specifically, the bill permanently sets the measure of eligibility for services, assistance, or resources provided directly to individuals or families under the program at 200% of the poverty line. (Under current law, the eligibility measure is temporarily set at 200% of the poverty line, an increase from the previous measure of 125% of the poverty line.)
The bill also makes certain changes to the permitted uses of funding, including by allowing CSBG funds to be used to facilitate low-income individuals’ and communities’ access to high-speed broadband, digital literacy training, technical support, and other services. States may also use certain funds allocated for training and technical assistance to assist eligible entities in responding to statewide and regional conditions that create economic insecurity, including emergency conditions.
The bill also expands requirements for the plans that states must submit to the Department of Health and Human Services in order to receive CSBG funds (e.g., transparency assurances), and sets deadlines by which states must make funds available to eligible entities.
Finally, the bill repeals a provision that allowed states to use CSBG funds to offset revenue losses associated with state charity tax credits.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 3131
A BILL
Community Services Block Grant Improvement Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA-15) · Introduced May 1, 2025 · Social Welfare · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 1, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.”
Sections
Sections · 18
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2Purposes and goalsNo change
- Sec. 3DefinitionsNo change
- Sec. 4Authorization of appropriationsNo change
- Sec. 5Establishment of block grant programNo change
- Sec. 6Allotments and payments to StatesNo change
- Sec. 7Uses of fundsNo change
- Sec. 8Application and planNo change
- Sec. 9Designation and redesignation of eligible entities in unserved areasNo change
- Sec. 10Tripartite boardsNo change
- Sec. 11Office of community servicesNo change
- Sec. 12Training, technical assistance, and other activitiesNo change
- Sec. 13Fiscal controls, audits, and withholdingNo change
- Sec. 14Accountability and reporting requirementsNo change
- Sec. 15Limitations on use of fundsNo change
- Sec. 16Discretionary authority of the SecretaryNo change
- Sec. 17Community food and nutrition programsNo change
- Sec. 18National or regional programs designed to provide instructional activities for low-income youthNo change