A Senate proposal introduced in March would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to expand access to schoolwide arts and music programs. The Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act of 2026, S. 4018, was introduced by Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey with Sens. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico and Alex Padilla of California as original co-sponsors.
The official legislative record shows that the measure was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. As introduced, it would modify provisions governing schoolwide and targeted-assistance programs under federal K-12 law. The proposal has not become law, and introduction alone does not provide new funding or impose a new requirement on school districts.
For music educators, the measure is significant because it places access to arts and music programs directly within the federal school-improvement framework. SBO+ will track committee action, amendments, companion legislation and any appropriations language that could determine whether the proposal produces operational support for local programs.
For more information, visit govinfo.gov.