[House Report 117-172]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
117th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 117-172
======================================================================
TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AT 1890
INSTITUTIONS
_______
November 3, 2021.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. David Scott of Georgia, from the Committee on Agriculture,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 4252]
The Committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred the bill
(H.R. 4252) to provide additional funding for scholarships for
students at 1890 institutions, having considered the same,
reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that
the bill as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AT 1890
INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Rescission.--Of the unobligated balances from amounts made
available by section 1006 of the American Rescue Plan Act (Public Law
117-2), the remaining unobligated balance, or $100,000,000, whichever
is less, is hereby rescinded.
(b) Funding.--In addition to amounts otherwise provided for carrying
out section 1446 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222a), there is appropriated to
the Secretary of Agriculture, out of amounts in the Treasury not
otherwise appropriated, an amount of additional new budget authority
equivalent to the amount rescinded under subsection (a), to remain
available until expended, to carry out such section 1446.
(c) Administrative Funds.--Of the funds made available under section
1446(b)(4) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222a(b)(4)) for a fiscal year,
not more than 4 percent may be used for expenses related to
administering the program under such section 1446.
(d) Extension.--Section 1446(b) of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3222a(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``each of fiscal years 2020
through 2023'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal
year thereafter''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter until
obligated.--Of the amounts made available under section 1(b) of
the Act entitled `An Act to provide additional funding for
scholarships for students at 1890 institutions', the Secretary
shall make available to carry out this section not less than
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year
thereafter, until all funding made available under such section
1(b) has been obligated.''.
Brief Explanation
This legislation, as reported out of Committee, would
provide the 1890 Scholarship Program with an additional 10
years of mandatory funding, through Fiscal Year 2033. The bill
would also extend the authorization of appropriations for the
program to continue permanently.
Purpose and Need for Legislation
Students educated at 1890 institutions are important to
advancing the leadership and competitiveness of the American
food and agriculture industry. The brightest minds from all
cultures and areas are needed to increase the talent pipeline
for the agricultural innovation workforce. Investments that
build more talented young minds for the food and agricultural
sectors will be increasingly important as the agriculture
industry takes on major challenges that lie ahead. In order to
bridge the gap in underserved communities diversify American
agriculture, and increase the talent pipeline in agricultural
innovation the Committee must ensure its investments are
reaching the students that can help achieve these goals.
The 1890 Scholarship Program, administered by U.S.
Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and
Agriculture (NIFA), is intended to provide scholarships to
support recruiting, engaging, retaining, mentoring, and
training of undergraduate students in food and agricultural
sciences and related fields at 1890 Land-Grant institutions.
These institutions are Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, originally established to support the education
of Black students and serve as members of the U.S. Land-Grant
university system. Scholarships through this program encourage
outstanding students at 1890 institutions to pursue and
complete baccalaureate degrees in the food and agricultural
sciences and related fields that would lead to a highly-skilled
food and agricultural systems workforce.
Hearings during the 117th and 116th Congresses included
testimony from presidents of 1890s institutions attesting to
the benefits they have already seen from this program and the
important role they hope it can continue to play. This includes
seeing increased enrollment, improved retention, and decreasing
the loan burden students face upon graduation. The program was
described as having a uniqueness and value that made it
something they would hope to see as a permanent part of the
Farm Bill with robust funding.
H.R. 4252 permanently extends the 1890 Scholarship Program
authorized in Section 1446 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1997, as
amended by the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, by
permanently authorizing appropriations for the program. H.R.
4252 also provides 10 additional years of mandatory funding for
the program.
H.R. 4252, To Provide Additional Funding for Scholarships for Students
at 1890 Institutions
SECTION-BY-SECTION
Section 1. Additional funding for scholarships for students at 1890
institutions
Subsection (a) rescinds $100 million or the remaining
unobligated balance, whichever is less, from the unobligated
balances in section 1006 of the American Rescue Plan Act.
Subsection (b) appropriates to the Secretary of Agriculture
an amount equal to the amount rescinded under subsection (a) to
carry out scholarships for students at 1890s authorized under
section 1446 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977.
Subsection (c) allows for not more than 4 percent of the
funds made available under section 1446(b)(4) of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 to be used for expenses related to administering
scholarships for students at 1890 institutions.
Subsection (d) extends the authorization of appropriations
for scholarships for students at 1890 institutions to continue
permanently. This subsection also provides that the Secretary
of Agriculture make available not less than $10 million for
Fiscal Year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter, until the
funding made available under subsection (b) of this Act has
been obligated.
Committee Consideration
I. HEARING
The Committee on Agriculture has held one hearing in the
117th Congress to gather input from presidents of 1890s
institutions about the current state of the 1890s,
implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill provisions impacting the
1890s, their agricultural research and extension needs, and
opportunities for further investments to support their mission
and impact.
On June 16, 2021, the Full Committee held a hearing titled
``1890 Land-Grant Institutions: Investing for Agricultural
Resiliency, Equity, and Global Impact'' where the following
witnesses testified on some matters that were subsequently
addressed in H.R. 4252:
Dr. Makola Abdullah, President, Virginia
State University and Chair, Association of Public and
Land-grant Universities' Council of 1890 Universities,
Petersburg, VA
Dr. Paul Jones, President, Fort Valley State
University, Fort Valley, GA
Dr. Heidi M. Anderson, President, University
of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
Dr. Tony Allen, President, Delaware State
University, Dover, DE
Dr. Orlando F. McMeans, Chancellor-Dean,
Southern University Agricultural Research & Extension
Center, Baton Rouge, LA
This hearing examined the current state of the 1890 Land-
Grant Institutions, implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill
provisions impacting them, their agricultural research and
extension needs, and opportunities for further investments to
support their mission and impact. Related to the 1890
Scholarship Program, Members of the Committee heard testimony
about how this program has helped students since its creation a
few years ago and the promise many believe it holds for the
future.
II. FULL COMMITTEE
On October 21, 2021, the Committee on Agriculture met
pursuant to notice, with a quorum present, to consider H.R.
4252, To provide additional funding for scholarships for
students at 1890 institutions. Chairman Scott made an opening
statement as did Ranking Member Thompson. Chairman Scott
requested other Members submit their opening statements for the
record. Without objection, H.R. 4252 was placed before the
Committee for consideration, a first reading of the bill was
waived, and it was opened for amendment at any point.
Chairman Scott offered an amendment in the nature of a
substitute, and without objection, the reading of the amendment
was waived, and the substitute was considered as original text
for the purposes of further amendment. Discussion occurred and
without objection, the Committee considered the whole amendment
in the nature of a substitute. There being no further
amendments, a voice vote was conducted. Mr. McGovern asked for
a recorded vote. By a roll call vote of 45 yeas and 3 nays,
H.R. 4252, as amended, was ordered reported. See Roll Call No.
1.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Chairman Scott advised
Members that pursuant to the Rules of the House of
Representatives, Members had until October 28, 2021 to file any
supplemental, additional, dissenting, or minority views with
the Committee. Without objection, staff was given permission to
make any necessary technical, clarifying, or conforming changes
to reflect the intent of the Committee. Chairman Scott thanked
all the Members and adjourned the meeting.
Committee Votes
In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of
Representatives, the Committee sets forth the record of the
following roll call votes taken with respect to H.R. 4252.
Roll Call No. 1
Summary: Scott Motion to report the bill, H.R. 4252, as
amended, favorably to the House with the recommendation that it
do pass.
Offered By: Representative David Scott of Georgia
Results: Passed by a recorded vote of 45 yeas and 3 nays.
YEAS
1. Mr. David Scott 24. Ms. Schrier
2. Mr. Costa 25. Mr. Panetta
3. Mr. McGovern 26. Mr. Bishop
4. Mr. Vela 27. Mr. Thompson
5. Ms. Adams 28. Mr. Austin Scott
6. Ms. Spanberger 29. Mr. Crawford
7. Mrs. Hayes 30. Mr. DesJarlais
8. Mr. Delgado 31. Mr. LaMalfa
9. Mr. Rush 32. Mr. Davis
10. Ms. Pingree 33. Mr. Allen
11. Mr. Sablan 34. Mr. Rouzer
12. Ms. Kuster 35. Mr. Kelly
13. Ms. Bustos 36. Mr. Johnson
14. Mr. Maloney 37. Mr. Baird
15. Ms. Plaskett 38. Mr. Hagedorn
16. Mr. O'Halleran 39. Mr. Jacobs
17. Mr. Carbajal 40. Mr. Balderson
18. Mr. Khanna 41. Mr. Mann
19. Mr. Lawson 42. Mr. Feenstra
20. Mr. Correa 43. Mr. Moore
21. Ms. Craig 44. Mrs. Cammack
22. Mr. Harder 45. Ms. Letlow
23. Mrs. Axne
NAYS
1. Mr. Cloud 3. Mrs. Fischbach
2. Mrs. Miller
Committee Oversight Findings
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee report incorporates the
cost estimates prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to sections 402 and 423 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect
to requirements of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has requested
but not received a cost estimate for this bill from the
Director of Congressional Budget Office. The Committee adopts
as its own cost estimate the forthcoming cost estimate of the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office, should such cost
estimate be made available before House passage of the bill.
The Committee has requested but not received from the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office a statement as to
whether this bill contains any new budget authority, spending
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in
revenues or tax expenditures. Congressional Budget Office staff
has informed the Committee on a preliminary, informal,
nonbinding basis that there does not appear to be any net
direct spending associated with the bill.
Constitutional Authority Statement
The Committee finds the Constitutional authority for this
legislation in Article I, section 8, clause 18, that grants
Congress the power to make all laws necessary and proper for
carrying out the powers vested by Congress in the consideration
of the United States or in any department or officer thereof.
The Committee further finds the Constitutional authority for
the legislation in Article I, section 8, clause 1, that grants
Congress the authority to provide for the general welfare of
the United States.
Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the House of
Representatives, the performance goals and objectives of this
measure are to provide additional funding for scholarships for
students at 1890 institutions to support a diversity of
students studying food and agricultural sciences, and the
related disciplines.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committee within the meaning of section 5(b) of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act was created by this
legislation.
Applicability to the Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law
104-1).
Federal Mandates Statement
An estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chair of
the Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the
Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee.
Earmark Statement
This measure does not contain any congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in
clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI of the House of
Representatives.
Duplication of Federal Programs
This measure does not establish or reauthorize a program of
the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another
Federal program, a program that was included in any report from
Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a
program in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance.
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings
The Committee does not believe that the legislation directs
an Executive Branch official to conduct any specific rule
making proceedings within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 551.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING POLICY ACT OF
1977
* * * * * * *
TITLE XIV--NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING
POLICY ACT OF 1977
* * * * * * *
Subtitle G--1890 Land-Grant College Funding
* * * * * * *
SEC. 1446. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AT 1890 INSTITUTIONS.
(a) In General.--
(1) Scholarship grant program established.--The
Secretary shall make grants to each college or
university eligible to receive funds under the Act of
August 30, 1890 (commonly known as the Second Morrill
Act; 7 U.S.C. 322 et seq.), including Tuskegee
University, for purposes of awarding scholarships to
individuals who--
(A) have been accepted for admission at such
college or university;
(B) will be enrolled at such college or
university not later than one year after the
date of such acceptance; and
(C) intend to pursue a career in the food and
agricultural sciences, including a career in--
(i) agribusiness;
(ii) energy and renewable fuels; or
(iii) financial management.
(2) Condition.--The Secretary may only award a grant
under this subsection to a college or university
described in paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines
that such college or university has established a
competitive scholarship awards process for the award of
scholarships to individuals described in such
paragraph.
(3) Annual limitation.--Of the funds made available
under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may use not more
than $10,000,000 to award grants under this subsection
for the academic year beginning on July 1, 2020, and
each of the three succeeding academic years.
(4) Amount of grant.--Each grant made under this
section shall be in an amount of not less than
$500,000.
(b) Funding.--
(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available
to carry out this section $40,000,000 not later than
October 1, 2019, to remain available until expended.
(2) Discretionary funding.--In addition to amounts
made available under paragraph (1), there is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000 for [each of fiscal years 2020 through
2023] fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(3) Administrative expenses.--Of the funds made
available under paragraphs (1) and (2) to carry out
this section for a fiscal year, not more than 4 percent
may be used for expenses related to administering the
program under this section.
(4) Fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter
until obligated.--Of the amounts made available under
section 1(b) of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide
additional funding for scholarships for students at
1890 institutions'', the Secretary shall make available
to carry out this section not less than $10,000,000 for
fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, until
all funding made available under such section 1(b) has
been obligated.
(c) Report.--Beginning on the date that is two years after
the date on which the first grant is awarded under subsection
(a), and every two years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit
to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of
the Senate a report detailing--
(1) the amount of funds provided to each eligible
college or university under this section;
(2) the number of scholarships awarded under each
grant each fiscal year; and
(3) the amount of each such scholarship.
* * * * * * *
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