I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2428 
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a grant program 
to improve the preparation and representation of certain students in 
aviation-related fields, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 30, 2023 
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia (for himself, Mr. PAYNE, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, 
Ms. LEE of California, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. SCANLON, Ms. JACK-
SON LEE, Mr. CASTEN, Mr. NADLER, Mr. CARSON, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Ms. 
WILSON of Florida, Ms. NORTON, Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia, Mr. CAR-
TER of Louisiana, Ms. CROCKETT, and Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a 
grant program to improve the preparation and represen-
tation of certain students in aviation-related fields, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Minorities in Aviation 
Education Act of 2023’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:17 Apr 12, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2428.IH
H2428
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
SEC. 2. BESSIE COLEMAN AVIATION EDUCATION PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall establish the Bessie Coleman Aviation Education 
Program to provide grants to eligible entities to improve 
the preparation and representation of students, particu-
larly women and minorities, in aviation-related fields. 
(b) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—A grant awarded 
under this section may only be used for activities that in-
crease exposure and access to aviation-related education 
and jobs through such means as— 
(1) internships, apprenticeships, or scholarships 
that offer students experience in the aviation indus-
try; 
(2) programs that introduce students to un-
manned aircraft systems (as the term is defined in 
section 44801 of title 49, United States Code); 
(3) career exploration and educational programs 
that teach technical skills used in aviation mainte-
nance, or to improve existing such programs; and 
(4) programs to increase the recruitment and 
retention of underrepresented minorities in postsec-
ondary aviation degree programs. 
(c) APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity seeking a 
grant under this section shall submit an application 
to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:17 Apr 12, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2428.IH
H2428
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
containing such information as the Secretary may 
require, including a description of how grant funds 
will be used to increase exposure and access to avia-
tion-related education and jobs. 
(2) PRIORITY.—In reviewing and selecting ap-
plications for grants under this section, the Sec-
retary shall give priority to applicants that propose 
to use grant funds to encourage the participation of 
women, minorities, and individuals in rural and 
urban areas in the aviation industry. 
(3) PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER ENTITIES.—An 
eligible entity may enter into a partnership agree-
ment with an institution of higher education, a non-
profit organization, or another entity, to carry out 
activities with a grant awarded under this section. 
(d) GRANT AMOUNT.—The maximum amount of a 
grant awarded under this section in a fiscal year shall be 
$500,000. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means— 
(A) a local educational agency; 
(B) a State educational agency; and 
(C) a State or local government. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:17 Apr 12, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2428.IH
H2428
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(2) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
(3) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.—The term 
‘‘local educational agency’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(4) STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.—The term 
‘‘State educational agency’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(f) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023, 2024, 2025, 
2026, and 2027. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:17 Apr 12, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2428.IH
H2428
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB