Transit Bus Affordability Act

House Bill

H.R. 4447

119th Congress

Transit Bus Affordability Act

In Committee

Introduced:Sep 30, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Frank J. Pallone Jr.

Representative

Democratic

NJ-6

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Education

Summary

This bill would require colleges and universities that use personality traits to make admissions decisions to publicly disclose how they evaluate and weigh those traits. This information would help applicants understand the process and know what to expect when applying.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

SponsorFrank J. Pallone Jr. (D-NJ)

Introduced9/30/2025

StatusReferred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

ChamberHouse

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Vote Prediction

Transit Bus Affordability Act

This bill would require colleges and universities that use personality traits to make admissions decisions to publicly disclose how they evaluate and weigh those traits. This information would help applicants understand the process and know what to expect when

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

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This bill would require colleges and universities that use personality traits to make admissions decisions to publicly disclose how they evaluate and weigh those traits. This information would help applicants understand the process and know what to expect when applying.

Bill Number: 4447
Sponsor: Frank J. Pallone Jr. (D-NJ)
Introduced: 9/30/2025
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Policy Area: Education

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Transit Bus Affordability Act
Bill Number: 4447
Sponsor: Frank J. Pallone Jr. (D-NJ)
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Introduced: 9/30/2025
Summary: This bill would require colleges and universities that use personality traits to make admissions decisions to publicly disclose how they evaluate and weigh those traits. This information would help applicants understand the process and know what to expect when applying.

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill would require colleges and universities that use personality traits to make admissions decisions to publicly disclose how they evaluate and weigh those traits. This information would help applicants understand the process and know what to expect when applying.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Helping Applicants Receive Valid and Reasonable Decisions Act or the HARVARD Act This bill requires an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student-aid programs and considers personality traits of applicants in making admission determinations to publicly disclose specified information related to personality traits. Personality traits refer to the patterns of an individual with respect to behaviors, thoughts, and emotions and may include patterns relating to humor, sensitivity, grit, leadership, integrity, helpfulness, courage, and kindness. Specifically, the IHE must make available on its public website and application materials (1) a statement informing applicants of the use of personality traits in making admission determinations, (2) the rationale for such use of personality traits, (3) a description of the process under which personality traits are considered, and (4) the standards and criteria used for rating personality traits.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Colleges must publicly disclose if they consider personality traits like humor, sensitivity, or leadership when making admissions decisions.
Colleges must explain their rationale for considering personality traits and describe the process and standards used to evaluate them.
This bill aims to make the admissions process more transparent for applicants.

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill would impact high school students and their families who are going through the college application process. It would give them more information about how certain colleges evaluate applicants, potentially helping them tailor their applications. Colleges that consider personality traits would need to devote resources to disclosing and explaining their process.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Education

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

4447, 119th Congress (2025). "Transit Bus Affordability Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-4447

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