H.R. 4658 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on the Judiciary, Jul 23, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryChanges rules for teachers union membership
This bill revises the federal rules for the National Education Association, a teachers organization. It requires teachers to clearly agree to join and pay dues, allows them to cancel membership anytime, and prevents the organization from using payroll deduction unless a teacher authorizes it. The bill also adds new restrictions on the organization, including limits on political activity, requirements to submit reports to Congress, and a ban on strikes.
How it affects you
If you're a teacher, this affects how you join or leave a teachers union and how your membership dues are handled. Teachers would need to actively choose membership and can cancel anytime. If you live in Washington, D.C., property taxes on the National Education Association's building would increase since the bill removes a current tax exemption.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jul 23, 2025)
Stopping Teachers Unions from Damaging Education Needs Today Act or the STUDENT Act
This bill revises the federal charter for the National Education Association.
The bill specifies that the corporation and its state and local affiliates may only accept payment of membership dues or fees from a state or local government employee if the employee (1) has been notified of the employee's right under the First Amendment to refrain from membership and payment of associated dues or fees, (2) has clearly and affirmatively consented to membership and payment of associated dues or fees, and (3) has authorized the transmittal of membership dues or fees without the use of payroll deduction.
Further, the corporation and its state or local affiliates must process and honor cancellation requests for membership or payment of dues as soon as practicable following receipt of the request.
The bill also outlines requirements for the corporation, such as
• prohibiting the corporation or its directors or officers from contributing to, supporting, or participating in political activities;
• requiring each officer of the corporation to be a U.S. citizen;
• requiring the corporation to submit annual reports to Congress;
• prohibiting the corporation and its affiliates from requiring staff, officers, affiliates, or members to affirm, adopt, or adhere to certain principles related to race or sex; and
• prohibiting the corporation and its affiliates from calling or participating in a strike, work stoppage, or slowdown affecting a state or local government.
The bill repeals the corporation's exemption from District of Columbia property taxes.
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. 4658
A BILL
STUDENT Act
Sponsor: Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI-5) · Introduced Jul 23, 2025 · Education · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 23, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.”