Minorities in Aviation Education Act of 2022
Bill: H.R.6841 | Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. (D-GA)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Minorities in Aviation Education Act of 2022
This bill establishes grants for increasing the exposure of students who are underrepresented in aviation to that industry. The Department of Transportation must award the grants to state and local governments or educational agencies.

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.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 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 2022''.

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, particularly women and minorities, in aviation-related 
fields.
    (b) Authorized Activities.--A grant awarded under this section may 
only be used for activities that increase 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 industry;
            (2) programs that introduce students to unmanned 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 maintenance, or to improve 
        existing such programs; and
            (4) programs to increase the recruitment and retention of 
        underrepresented minorities in postsecondary 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 containing such information as 
        the Secretary may require, including a description of how grant 
        funds will be used to increase exposure and access to aviation-
        related education and jobs.
            (2) Priority.--In reviewing and selecting applications for 
        grants under this section, the Secretary 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 agreement with an institution of 
        higher education, a nonprofit 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, the following definitions 
apply:
            (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
                    (A) a local educational agency;
                    (B) a State educational agency; and
                    (C) a State or local government.
            (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 Secondary 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 Secondary 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 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
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