HBCU PARTNERS Act

Bill: 116-s-461
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2019-02-12
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Advisory bodies

Congressional oversight

Department of Education

Education programs funding

Executive agency funding and structure

Higher education

Minority education

Public-private cooperation
Latest action: action_date: 2020-12-31
text: Became Public Law No: 116-270.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-02-12
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act or the HBCU PARTNERS Act</b></p> <p>This bill addresses the capacity of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to participate in federal programs. Specifically, the bill requires agencies that regularly interact with HBCUs to submit annual plans for strengthening the capacity of HBCUs to participate in federal programs. Among other things, the plans must establish how the agencies intend to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements.</p> <p>The agencies may provide technical assistance and information to the initiative to enhance communication with HBCUs concerning their program activities and applications for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. </p> <p>In addition, the bill provides statutory authority for the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs.</p>

action_date: 2019-02-12
action_desc: Passed Senate
text: <p><b>HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act or the HBCU PARTNERS Act</b></p> <p>This bill addresses the capacity of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to participate in federal programs. Specifically, the bill requires agencies that regularly interact with HBCUs to submit annual plans for strengthening the capacity of HBCUs to participate in federal programs. Among other things, the plans must establish how the agencies intend to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements.</p> <p>The agencies may provide technical assistance and information to the initiative to enhance communication with HBCUs concerning their program activities and applications for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. </p> <p>In addition, the bill provides statutory authority for the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs.</p>

action_date: 2020-12-07
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><b>HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act or the HBCU PARTNERS Act</b></p> <p>This bill addresses the capacity of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to participate in federal programs. Specifically, the bill requires certain agencies to submit annual plans for strengthening the capacity of HBCUs to participate in federal programs. Among other things, the plans must establish how the agencies intend to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements.</p> <p>The agencies must provide technical assistance and information to the initiative to enhance communication with HBCUs concerning their program activities and initiatives as well as applications for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. </p> <p>In addition, the bill provides statutory authority for the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs.</p>

action_date: 2020-12-11
action_desc: Senate agreed to House amendment
text: <p><b>HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act or the HBCU PARTNERS Act</b></p> <p>This bill addresses the capacity of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to participate in federal programs. Specifically, the bill requires certain agencies to submit annual plans for strengthening the capacity of HBCUs to participate in federal programs. Among other things, the plans must establish how the agencies intend to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements.</p> <p>The agencies must provide technical assistance and information to the White House Initiative on HBCUs to enhance communication with HBCUs concerning their program activities and initiatives as well as applications for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. </p> <p>In addition, the bill provides statutory authority for the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs.</p>

action_date: 2020-12-31
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p><b>HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act or the HBCU PARTNERS Act</b></p> <p>This bill addresses the capacity of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to participate in federal programs. Specifically, the bill requires certain agencies to submit annual plans for strengthening the capacity of HBCUs to participate in federal programs. Among other things, the plans must establish how the agencies intend to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements.</p> <p>The agencies must provide technical assistance and information to the White House Initiative on HBCUs to enhance communication with HBCUs concerning their program activities and initiatives as well as applications for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. </p> <p>In addition, the bill provides statutory authority for the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs.</p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 461 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 12, 2019 Mr. Scott of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Coons , Mr. Perdue , Mr. Jones , Mr. Wicker , Ms. Harris , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Kaine , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Booker , Ms. Klobuchar , Ms. Warren , Mr. Sanders , and Mr. Braun ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed A BILL To strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of historically Black colleges and universities through robust public-sector, private-sector, and community partnerships and engagement, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act or the HBCU PARTNERS Act . 2. Findings and purposes (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) As many colleges and universities across the country kept their doors closed to African American applicants, historically Black colleges and universities (referred to in this section as HBCUs ) played a central role in ensuring that African Americans could attain an excellent education. (2) Today, HBCUs continue to play a critical role in ensuring that African Americans, and those of all races, can access high-quality educational opportunities. (3) HBCUs enroll nearly 300,000 students, an estimated 70 percent of whom come from low-income backgrounds and 80 percent of whom are African American. (4) According to the National Association For Equal Opportunity In Higher Education, HBCUs make up just 3 percent of American institutions of higher education but serve more than a fifth of African American college students. (5) A March 2017 report from the Education Trust concluded that HBCUs have higher completion rates for African American students than other institutions serving similar student populations. (6) In 2014, HBCUs generated a total direct economic impact of $14,800,000,000 and created more than 134,000 jobs, according to a study commissioned by the United Negro College Fund (referred to in this section as UNCF ). (7) According to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (referred to in this section as TMCF ), 40 percent of African American Members of Congress, 50 percent of African American lawyers, and 80 percent of African American judges are graduates of HBCUs. (8) According to UNCF, in 2013, HBCUs awarded a quarter of all science, technology, engineering, and mathematics bachelor’s degrees awarded to African Americans. (9) According to TMCF, approximately 9 percent of all African American college students attend HBCUs. (10) According to UNCF, African American graduates of HBCUs are almost twice as likely as African Americans who graduated from other institutions to report that their university prepared them well for life. (b) Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of HBCUs to fulfill their principal mission of equalizing educational opportunity, as described in section 301(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1051(b) ); (2) to align HBCUs with the educational and economic competitiveness priorities of the United States; (3) to provide students enrolled at HBCUs with the highest quality educational and economic opportunities; (4) to bolster and facilitate productive interactions between HBCUs and Federal agencies; and (5) to encourage HBCU participation in and benefit from Federal programs, grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Applicable agency The term applicable agency means any Federal agency designated by the Secretary, in accordance with section 4. (2) Executive director The term Executive Director means— (A) the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as designated by the President; or (B) if no such Executive Director is designated, such person as the President may designate to lead the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. (3) HBCU The term HBCU means a historically Black college or university. (4) Historically black college or university The term historically Black college or university has the meaning given the term part B institution under section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1061 ). (5) President's Board of Advisors The term President's Board of Advisors means the President's Board of Advisors on historically Black colleges and universities. (6) Secretary Except as otherwise provided, the term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. (7) White house initiative The term White House Initiative means the White House Initiative on historically Black colleges and universities. 4. Strengthening HBCUs through Federal agency plans (a) Designating applicable agencies The Secretary, in consultation with the Executive Director, shall identify those Federal agencies that regularly interact with HBCUs and designate them as applicable agencies. (b) Submitting agency plans Not later than February 1 of each year, the head of each applicable agency shall submit to the Secretary and the Executive Director an annual Agency Plan describing efforts to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to participate in relevant Federal programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of the applicable agency. (c) Further requirements for submission and accessibility The head of each applicable agency shall submit each annual Agency Plan described in subsection (b) to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives. (d) Agency plan content Where appropriate, each Agency Plan shall, among other things— (1) establish how the applicable agency intends to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; (2) identify Federal programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of the applicable agency where HBCUs are not well-represented; (3) outline proposed efforts to improve HBCUs’ participation in such programs and initiatives in which they are underrepresented; (4) describe any progress made towards advancing or achieving goals and efforts from previous Agency Plans; (5) encourage public-sector, private-sector, and community involvement in improving the capacity of HBCUs; and (6) meet, where relevant, any additional criteria established by the Secretary or the White House Initiative. (e) Agency engagement To help fulfill the objectives of the Agency Plans, the head of each applicable agency— (1) may provide, as appropriate, technical assistance and information to the Executive Director to enhance communication with HBCUs concerning the applicable agency’s program activities and the preparation of applications or proposals for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; and (2) shall appoint a senior official to report directly to the agency head on the applicable agency’s progress under this section. 5. President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs (a) Administration (1) In general There is established the President's Board of Advisors on historically Black colleges and universities in the Department of Education or, if the President so elects, within the Executive Office of the President. (2) Funding from ED Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall provide funding and administrative support for the President's Board of Advisors, subject to the availability of appropriations. (3) Funding from the Executive Office of the President If the President elects to locate the President’s Board of Advisors within the Executive Office of the President, the Executive Office of the President shall provide funding and administrative support for the President's Board of Advisors, subject to the availability of appropriations. (b) Membership The President shall appoint not more than 23 members to the President’s Board of Advisors, and the Secretary and Executive Director or their designees shall serve as ex officio members. The President shall designate one member of the President's Board of Advisors to serve as its Chair, who shall help direct the Board’s work in coordination with the Secretary and in consultation with the Executive Director. The Chair shall also consult with the Executive Director regarding the time and location of meetings of the President's Board of Advisors, which shall take place not less frequently than once every 6 months. Members of the President's Board of Advisors shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law. Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) may apply to the Board, any functions of the President under such Act, except for those of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the Chair, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Administrator of General Services. (c) Mission and functions The President's Board of Advisors shall advise the President, through the White House Initiative, on all matters pertaining to strengthening the educational capacity of HBCUs. In particular, the President's Board of Advisors shall advise the President in the following areas: (1) Improving the identity, visibility, distinctive capabilities, and overall competitiveness of HBCUs. (2) Engaging the philanthropic, business, government, military, homeland-security, and education communities in a national dialogue regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives. (3) Improving the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally secure institutions that can assist the Nation in achieving its educational goals and in advancing the interests of all Americans. (4) Elevating the public awareness of, and fostering appreciation of, HBCUs. (5) Encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs. (6) Improving government-wide strategic planning related to HBCU competitiveness to align Federal resources and provide the context for decisions about HBCU partnerships, investments, performance goals, priorities, human capital development and budget planning. (d) Report The President's Board of Advisors shall report annually to the President on the Board’s progress in carrying out its duties under this section.

tv_txt: 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 461 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of historically Black colleges and universities through robust public-sector, private-sector, and community partnerships and engagement, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act or the HBCU PARTNERS Act . 2. Findings and purposes (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) As many colleges and universities across the country kept their doors closed to African American applicants, historically Black colleges and universities (referred to in this section as HBCUs ) played a central role in ensuring that African Americans could attain an excellent education. (2) Today, HBCUs continue to play a critical role in ensuring that African Americans, and those of all races, can access high-quality educational opportunities. (3) HBCUs enroll nearly 300,000 students, an estimated 70 percent of whom come from low-income backgrounds and 80 percent of whom are African American. (4) According to the National Association For Equal Opportunity In Higher Education, HBCUs make up just 3 percent of American institutions of higher education but serve more than a fifth of African American college students. (5) A March 2017 report from the Education Trust concluded that HBCUs have higher completion rates for African American students than other institutions serving similar student populations. (6) In 2014, HBCUs generated a total direct economic impact of $14,800,000,000 and created more than 134,000 jobs, according to a study commissioned by the United Negro College Fund (referred to in this section as UNCF ). (7) According to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (referred to in this section as TMCF ), 40 percent of African American Members of Congress, 50 percent of African American lawyers, and 80 percent of African American judges are graduates of HBCUs. (8) According to UNCF, in 2013, HBCUs awarded a quarter of all science, technology, engineering, and mathematics bachelor’s degrees awarded to African Americans. (9) According to TMCF, approximately 9 percent of all African American college students attend HBCUs. (10) According to UNCF, African American graduates of HBCUs are almost twice as likely as African Americans who graduated from other institutions to report that their university prepared them well for life. (b) Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of HBCUs to fulfill their principal mission of equalizing educational opportunity, as described in section 301(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1051(b) ); (2) to align HBCUs with the educational and economic competitiveness priorities of the United States; (3) to provide students enrolled at HBCUs with the highest quality educational and economic opportunities; (4) to bolster and facilitate productive interactions between HBCUs and Federal agencies; and (5) to encourage HBCU participation in and benefit from Federal programs, grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Applicable agency The term applicable agency means any Federal agency designated by the Secretary, in accordance with section 4. (2) Executive director The term Executive Director means— (A) the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as designated by the President; or (B) if no such Executive Director is designated, such person as the President may designate to lead the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. (3) HBCU The term HBCU means a historically Black college or university. (4) Historically black college or university The term historically Black college or university has the meaning given the term part B institution under section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1061 ). (5) President's Board of Advisors The term President's Board of Advisors means the President's Board of Advisors on historically Black colleges and universities. (6) Secretary Except as otherwise provided, the term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. (7) White house initiative The term White House Initiative means the White House Initiative on historically Black colleges and universities. 4. Strengthening HBCUs through Federal agency plans (a) Designating applicable agencies The Secretary, in consultation with the Executive Director, shall identify those Federal agencies that regularly interact with HBCUs and designate them as applicable agencies. (b) Submitting agency plans Not later than February 1 of each year, the head of each applicable agency shall submit to the Secretary and the Executive Director an annual Agency Plan describing efforts to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to participate in relevant Federal programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of the applicable agency. (c) Further requirements for submission and accessibility The head of each applicable agency shall submit each annual Agency Plan described in subsection (b) to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives. (d) Agency plan content Where appropriate, each Agency Plan shall, among other things— (1) establish how the applicable agency intends to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; (2) identify Federal programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of the applicable agency where HBCUs are not well-represented; (3) outline proposed efforts to improve HBCUs’ participation in such programs and initiatives in which they are underrepresented; (4) describe any progress made towards advancing or achieving goals and efforts from previous Agency Plans; (5) encourage public-sector, private-sector, and community involvement in improving the capacity of HBCUs; and (6) meet, where relevant, any additional criteria established by the Secretary or the White House Initiative. (e) Agency engagement To help fulfill the objectives of the Agency Plans, the head of each applicable agency— (1) may provide, as appropriate, technical assistance and information to the Executive Director to enhance communication with HBCUs concerning the applicable agency’s program activities and the preparation of applications or proposals for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; and (2) shall appoint a senior official to report directly to the agency head on the applicable agency’s progress under this section. 5. President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs (a) Administration (1) In general There is established the President's Board of Advisors on historically Black colleges and universities in the Department of Education or, if the President so elects, within the Executive Office of the President. (2) Funding from ED Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall provide funding and administrative support for the President's Board of Advisors, subject to the availability of appropriations. (3) Funding from the Executive Office of the President If the President elects to locate the President’s Board of Advisors within the Executive Office of the President, the Executive Office of the President shall provide funding and administrative support for the President's Board of Advisors, subject to the availability of appropriations. (b) Membership The President shall appoint not more than 23 members to the President’s Board of Advisors, and the Secretary and Executive Director or their designees shall serve as ex officio members. The President shall designate one member of the President's Board of Advisors to serve as its Chair, who shall help direct the Board’s work in coordination with the Secretary and in consultation with the Executive Director. The Chair shall also consult with the Executive Director regarding the time and location of meetings of the President's Board of Advisors, which shall take place not less frequently than once every 6 months. Members of the President's Board of Advisors shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law. Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) may apply to the Board, any functions of the President under such Act, except for those of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the Chair, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Administrator of General Services. (c) Mission and functions The President's Board of Advisors shall advise the President, through the White House Initiative, on all matters pertaining to strengthening the educational capacity of HBCUs. In particular, the President's Board of Advisors shall advise the President in the following areas: (1) Improving the identity, visibility, distinctive capabilities, and overall competitiveness of HBCUs. (2) Engaging the philanthropic, business, government, military, homeland-security, and education communities in a national dialogue regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives. (3) Improving the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally secure institutions that can assist the Nation in achieving its educational goals and in advancing the interests of all Americans. (4) Elevating the public awareness of, and fostering appreciation of, HBCUs. (5) Encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs. (6) Improving government-wide strategic planning related to HBCU competitiveness to align Federal resources and provide the context for decisions about HBCU partnerships, investments, performance goals, priorities, human capital development and budget planning. (d) Report The President's Board of Advisors shall report annually to the President on the Board’s progress in carrying out its duties under this section.

Passed the Senate February 12, 2019. Secretary

tv_txt: IC 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 461 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 13, 2019 Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform , and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned AN ACT To strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of historically Black colleges and universities through robust public-sector, private-sector, and community partnerships and engagement, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act or the HBCU PARTNERS Act . 2. Findings and purposes (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) As many colleges and universities across the country kept their doors closed to African American applicants, historically Black colleges and universities (referred to in this section as HBCUs ) played a central role in ensuring that African Americans could attain an excellent education. (2) Today, HBCUs continue to play a critical role in ensuring that African Americans, and those of all races, can access high-quality educational opportunities. (3) HBCUs enroll nearly 300,000 students, an estimated 70 percent of whom come from low-income backgrounds and 80 percent of whom are African American. (4) According to the National Association For Equal Opportunity In Higher Education, HBCUs make up just 3 percent of American institutions of higher education but serve more than a fifth of African American college students. (5) A March 2017 report from the Education Trust concluded that HBCUs have higher completion rates for African American students than other institutions serving similar student populations. (6) In 2014, HBCUs generated a total direct economic impact of $14,800,000,000 and created more than 134,000 jobs, according to a study commissioned by the United Negro College Fund (referred to in this section as UNCF ). (7) According to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (referred to in this section as TMCF ), 40 percent of African American Members of Congress, 50 percent of African American lawyers, and 80 percent of African American judges are graduates of HBCUs. (8) According to UNCF, in 2013, HBCUs awarded a quarter of all science, technology, engineering, and mathematics bachelor’s degrees awarded to African Americans. (9) According to TMCF, approximately 9 percent of all African American college students attend HBCUs. (10) According to UNCF, African American graduates of HBCUs are almost twice as likely as African Americans who graduated from other institutions to report that their university prepared them well for life. (b) Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of HBCUs to fulfill their principal mission of equalizing educational opportunity, as described in section 301(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1051(b) ); (2) to align HBCUs with the educational and economic competitiveness priorities of the United States; (3) to provide students enrolled at HBCUs with the highest quality educational and economic opportunities; (4) to bolster and facilitate productive interactions between HBCUs and Federal agencies; and (5) to encourage HBCU participation in and benefit from Federal programs, grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Applicable agency The term applicable agency means any Federal agency designated by the Secretary, in accordance with section 4. (2) Executive director The term Executive Director means— (A) the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as designated by the President; or (B) if no such Executive Director is designated, such person as the President may designate to lead the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. (3) HBCU The term HBCU means a historically Black college or university. (4) Historically black college or university The term historically Black college or university has the meaning given the term part B institution under section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1061 ). (5) President's Board of Advisors The term President's Board of Advisors means the President's Board of Advisors on historically Black colleges and universities. (6) Secretary Except as otherwise provided, the term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. (7) White house initiative The term White House Initiative means the White House Initiative on historically Black colleges and universities. 4. Strengthening HBCUs through Federal agency plans (a) Designating applicable agencies The Secretary, in consultation with the Executive Director, shall identify those Federal agencies that regularly interact with HBCUs and designate them as applicable agencies. (b) Submitting agency plans Not later than February 1 of each year, the head of each applicable agency shall submit to the Secretary and the Executive Director an annual Agency Plan describing efforts to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to participate in relevant Federal programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of the applicable agency. (c) Further requirements for submission and accessibility The head of each applicable agency shall submit each annual Agency Plan described in subsection (b) to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives. (d) Agency plan content Where appropriate, each Agency Plan shall, among other things— (1) establish how the applicable agency intends to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; (2) identify Federal programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of the applicable agency where HBCUs are not well-represented; (3) outline proposed efforts to improve HBCUs’ participation in such programs and initiatives in which they are underrepresented; (4) describe any progress made towards advancing or achieving goals and efforts from previous Agency Plans; (5) encourage public-sector, private-sector, and community involvement in improving the capacity of HBCUs; and (6) meet, where relevant, any additional criteria established by the Secretary or the White House Initiative. (e) Agency engagement To help fulfill the objectives of the Agency Plans, the head of each applicable agency— (1) may provide, as appropriate, technical assistance and information to the Executive Director to enhance communication with HBCUs concerning the applicable agency’s program activities and the preparation of applications or proposals for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; and (2) shall appoint a senior official to report directly to the agency head on the applicable agency’s progress under this section. 5. President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs (a) Administration (1) In general There is established the President's Board of Advisors on historically Black colleges and universities in the Department of Education or, if the President so elects, within the Executive Office of the President. (2) Funding from ED Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall provide funding and administrative support for the President's Board of Advisors, subject to the availability of appropriations. (3) Funding from the Executive Office of the President If the President elects to locate the President’s Board of Advisors within the Executive Office of the President, the Executive Office of the President shall provide funding and administrative support for the President's Board of Advisors, subject to the availability of appropriations. (b) Membership The President shall appoint not more than 23 members to the President’s Board of Advisors, and the Secretary and Executive Director or their designees shall serve as ex officio members. The President shall designate one member of the President's Board of Advisors to serve as its Chair, who shall help direct the Board’s work in coordination with the Secretary and in consultation with the Executive Director. The Chair shall also consult with the Executive Director regarding the time and location of meetings of the President's Board of Advisors, which shall take place not less frequently than once every 6 months. Members of the President's Board of Advisors shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law. Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) may apply to the Board, any functions of the President under such Act, except for those of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the Chair, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Administrator of General Services. (c) Mission and functions The President's Board of Advisors shall advise the President, through the White House Initiative, on all matters pertaining to strengthening the educational capacity of HBCUs. In particular, the President's Board of Advisors shall advise the President in the following areas: (1) Improving the identity, visibility, distinctive capabilities, and overall competitiveness of HBCUs. (2) Engaging the philanthropic, business, government, military, homeland-security, and education communities in a national dialogue regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives. (3) Improving the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally secure institutions that can assist the Nation in achieving its educational goals and in advancing the interests of all Americans. (4) Elevating the public awareness of, and fostering appreciation of, HBCUs. (5) Encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs. (6) Improving government-wide strategic planning related to HBCU competitiveness to align Federal resources and provide the context for decisions about HBCU partnerships, investments, performance goals, priorities, human capital development and budget planning. (d) Report The President's Board of Advisors shall report annually to the President on the Board’s progress in carrying out its duties under this section.

Passed the Senate February 12, 2019. Julie E. Adams, Secretary

tv_txt: 116th CONGRESS 2d Session In the House of Representatives, U. S., December 7, 2020 AMENDMENT:

That the bill from the Senate (S. 461) entitled An Act to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of historically Black colleges and universities through robust public-sector, private-sector, and community partnerships and engagement, and for other purposes. , do pass with the following Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert: 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act or the HBCU PARTNERS Act . 2. Findings and purposes (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) As many colleges and universities across the country kept their doors closed to African American applicants, historically Black colleges and universities (referred to in this section as HBCUs ) played a central role in ensuring that African Americans could attain an excellent education. (2) Today, HBCUs continue to play a critical role in ensuring that African Americans, and those of all races, can access high-quality educational opportunities. (3) HBCUs enroll nearly 300,000 students, an estimated 70 percent of whom come from low-income backgrounds and 80 percent of whom are African American. (4) According to the National Association For Equal Opportunity In Higher Education (referred to in this section as NAFEO ), HBCUs make up just 3 percent of American institutions of higher education but serve more than a fifth of African American college students. (5) According to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (referred to in this section as TMCF ), approximately 9 percent of all African American college students attend HBCUs. (6) A March 2017 report from the Education Trust concluded that HBCUs have higher completion rates for African American students than other institutions serving similar student populations. (7) According to TMCF, 40 percent of African American Members of Congress, 50 percent of African American lawyers, and 80 percent of African American judges are graduates of HBCUs. (8) According to NAFEO, HBCUs graduate approximately 50 percent of African American public school teaching professionals. (9) According to the United Negro College Fund (referred to in this section as UNCF ), African American graduates of HBCUs are almost twice as likely as African Americans who graduated from other institutions to report that their university prepared them well for life. (10) According to a study commissioned by UNCF, in 2014, HBCUs generated a total direct economic impact of $14,800,000,000 and created more than 134,000 jobs. (11) According to a 2019 report produced by the American Council on Education and UNCF, despite efforts to counter a historical legacy of inequitable funding and notable investments by the Federal Government and many State governments, resource inequities continue to plague HBCUs. (b) Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of HBCUs to fulfill their principal mission of equalizing educational opportunity, as described in section 301(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1051(b) ); (2) to align HBCUs with the educational and economic competitiveness priorities of the United States; (3) to provide students enrolled at HBCUs with the highest quality educational and economic opportunities; (4) to bolster and facilitate productive interactions between HBCUs and Federal agencies; and (5) to encourage HBCU participation in and benefit from Federal programs, grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Applicable agency The term applicable agency means— (A) the Department of Agriculture; (B) the Department of Commerce; (C) the Department of Defense; (D) the Department of Education; (E) the Department of Energy; (F) the Department of Health and Human Services; (G) the Department of Homeland Security; (H) the Department of Housing and Urban Development; (I) the Department of the Interior; (J) the Department of Justice; (K) the Department of Labor; (L) the Department of State; (M) the Department of Transportation; (N) the Department of Treasury; (O) the Department of Veterans Affairs; (P) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (Q) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; (R) the National Science Foundation; (S) the Small Business Administration; and (T) any other Federal agency designated as an applicable agency under section 4. (2) Executive director The term Executive Director means— (A) the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as designated by the President; or (B) if no such Executive Director is designated, such person as the President may designate to lead the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. (3) HBCU The term HBCU means a historically Black college or university. (4) Historically black college or university The term historically Black college or university has the meaning given the term part B institution under section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1061 ). (5) President's Board of Advisors The term President’s Board of Advisors means the President’s Board of Advisors on historically Black colleges and universities. (6) Secretary Except as otherwise provided, the term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. (7) White house initiative The term White House Initiative means the White House Initiative on historically Black colleges and universities. 4. Strengthening HBCUs through Federal agency plans (a) Designating applicable agencies The Secretary, in consultation with the Executive Director, shall— (1) identify each Federal agency with which an HBCU— (A) has entered into a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement; or (B) is eligible to participate in the programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of such Federal agency; and (2) designate each Federal agency so identified as an applicable agency. (b) Submitting agency plans Not later than February 1 of each year, the head of each applicable agency shall submit to the Secretary, the Executive Director, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives, and the President’s Board of Advisors an annual Agency Plan describing efforts to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to participate or be eligible to participate in the programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of such applicable agency as described in subsection (a)(1)(B). (c) Further requirements for submission and accessibility The Executive Director shall make all annual Agency Plan submissions publicly available online in a user-friendly format. (d) Agency plan content Where appropriate, each Agency Plan shall include— (1) a description of how the applicable agency intends to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; (2) an identification of Federal programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of the applicable agency in which HBCUs are underrepresented; (3) an outline of proposed efforts to improve HBCUs’ participation in such programs and initiatives; (4) a description of any progress made towards advancing or achieving goals and efforts from previous Agency Plans submitted under this section by such applicable agency; (5) a description of how the applicable agency plans to encourage public-sector, private-sector, and community involvement to improve the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, and to participate in programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of such agency; (6) an identification of programs and initiatives not listed in a previous Agency Plan in which an HBCU may participate; (7) any other information the applicable agency determines is relevant to promoting opportunities to fund, partner, contract, or otherwise interact with HBCUs; and (8) any additional criteria established by the Secretary or the White House Initiative. (e) Agency engagement To help fulfill the objectives of the Agency Plans, the head of each applicable agency— (1) shall provide, as appropriate, technical assistance and information to the Executive Director to enhance communication with HBCUs concerning the applicable agency’s— (A) programs and initiatives described in subsection (d)(2); and (B) the preparation of applications or proposals for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; and (2) shall appoint a senior official to report directly to the agency head on the applicable agency’s progress under this section. 5. President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs (a) Administration (1) In general There is established the President’s Board of Advisors on historically Black colleges and universities in the Department of Education or, if the President so elects, within the Executive Office of the President. (2) Funding from ED Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall provide funding and administrative support for the President’s Board of Advisors, subject to the availability of appropriations. (3) Funding from the Executive Office of the President If the President elects to locate the President’s Board of Advisors within the Executive Office of the President, the Executive Office of the President shall provide funding and administrative support for the President's Board of Advisors, subject to the availability of appropriations. (b) Membership (1) In general The President shall appoint not more than 23 members to the President’s Board of Advisors, and the Secretary and Executive Director or their designees shall serve as ex officio members. (2) Chair (A) Designation The President shall designate one member of the President’s Board of Advisors to serve as its Chair, who shall help direct the Board’s work in coordination with the Secretary and in consultation with the Executive Director. (B) Consultation The Chair shall also consult with the Executive Director regarding the time and location of meetings of the President’s Board of Advisors, which shall take place not less frequently than once every 6 months. (C) Performance Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) may apply to the President’s Board of Advisors, any functions of the President under such Act, except for those of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the Chair, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Administrator of General Services. (3) Compensation Members of the President’s Board of Advisors shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law. (c) Mission and functions The President’s Board of Advisors shall advise the President, through the White House Initiative, on all matters pertaining to strengthening the educational capacity of HBCUs, which shall include the following: (1) Improving the identity, visibility, distinctive capabilities, and overall competitiveness of HBCUs. (2) Engaging the philanthropic, business, government, military, homeland-security, and education communities in a national dialogue regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives. (3) Improving the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally secure institutions that can assist the Nation in achieving its educational goals and in advancing the interests of all Americans. (4) Elevating the public awareness of, and fostering appreciation of, HBCUs. (5) Encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs. (6) Improving government-wide strategic planning related to HBCU competitiveness to align Federal resources and provide the context for decisions about HBCU partnerships, investments, performance goals, priorities, human capital development, and budget planning. (d) Report The President’s Board of Advisors shall report annually to the President on the Board’s progress in carrying out its duties under this section.

Lorraine Miller Clerk.

tv_txt: One Hundred Sixteenth Congress of the United States of America 2d Sess. Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty S. 461 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of historically Black colleges and universities through robust public-sector, private-sector, and community partnerships and engagement, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act or the HBCU PARTNERS Act . 2. Findings and purposes (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) As many colleges and universities across the country kept their doors closed to African American applicants, historically Black colleges and universities (referred to in this section as HBCUs ) played a central role in ensuring that African Americans could attain an excellent education. (2) Today, HBCUs continue to play a critical role in ensuring that African Americans, and those of all races, can access high-quality educational opportunities. (3) HBCUs enroll nearly 300,000 students, an estimated 70 percent of whom come from low-income backgrounds and 80 percent of whom are African American. (4) According to the National Association For Equal Opportunity In Higher Education (referred to in this section as NAFEO ), HBCUs make up just 3 percent of American institutions of higher education but serve more than a fifth of African American college students. (5) According to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (referred to in this section as TMCF ), approximately 9 percent of all African American college students attend HBCUs. (6) A March 2017 report from the Education Trust concluded that HBCUs have higher completion rates for African American students than other institutions serving similar student populations. (7) According to TMCF, 40 percent of African American Members of Congress, 50 percent of African American lawyers, and 80 percent of African American judges are graduates of HBCUs. (8) According to NAFEO, HBCUs graduate approximately 50 percent of African American public school teaching professionals. (9) According to the United Negro College Fund (referred to in this section as UNCF ), African American graduates of HBCUs are almost twice as likely as African Americans who graduated from other institutions to report that their university prepared them well for life. (10) According to a study commissioned by UNCF, in 2014, HBCUs generated a total direct economic impact of $14,800,000,000 and created more than 134,000 jobs. (11) According to a 2019 report produced by the American Council on Education and UNCF, despite efforts to counter a historical legacy of inequitable funding and notable investments by the Federal Government and many State governments, resource inequities continue to plague HBCUs. (b) Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of HBCUs to fulfill their principal mission of equalizing educational opportunity, as described in section 301(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1051(b) ); (2) to align HBCUs with the educational and economic competitiveness priorities of the United States; (3) to provide students enrolled at HBCUs with the highest quality educational and economic opportunities; (4) to bolster and facilitate productive interactions between HBCUs and Federal agencies; and (5) to encourage HBCU participation in and benefit from Federal programs, grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Applicable agency The term applicable agency means— (A) the Department of Agriculture; (B) the Department of Commerce; (C) the Department of Defense; (D) the Department of Education; (E) the Department of Energy; (F) the Department of Health and Human Services; (G) the Department of Homeland Security; (H) the Department of Housing and Urban Development; (I) the Department of the Interior; (J) the Department of Justice; (K) the Department of Labor; (L) the Department of State; (M) the Department of Transportation; (N) the Department of Treasury; (O) the Department of Veterans Affairs; (P) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (Q) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; (R) the National Science Foundation; (S) the Small Business Administration; and (T) any other Federal agency designated as an applicable agency under section 4. (2) Executive director The term Executive Director means— (A) the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as designated by the President; or (B) if no such Executive Director is designated, such person as the President may designate to lead the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. (3) HBCU The term HBCU means a historically Black college or university. (4) Historically black college or university The term historically Black college or university has the meaning given the term part B institution under section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1061 ). (5) President's Board of Advisors The term President’s Board of Advisors means the President’s Board of Advisors on historically Black colleges and universities. (6) Secretary Except as otherwise provided, the term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. (7) White house initiative The term White House Initiative means the White House Initiative on historically Black colleges and universities. 4. Strengthening HBCUs through Federal agency plans (a) Designating applicable agencies The Secretary, in consultation with the Executive Director, shall— (1) identify each Federal agency with which an HBCU— (A) has entered into a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement; or (B) is eligible to participate in the programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of such Federal agency; and (2) designate each Federal agency so identified as an applicable agency. (b) Submitting agency plans Not later than February 1 of each year, the head of each applicable agency shall submit to the Secretary, the Executive Director, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives, and the President’s Board of Advisors an annual Agency Plan describing efforts to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to participate or be eligible to participate in the programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of such applicable agency as described in subsection (a)(1)(B). (c) Further requirements for submission and accessibility The Executive Director shall make all annual Agency Plan submissions publicly available online in a user-friendly format. (d) Agency plan content Where appropriate, each Agency Plan shall include— (1) a description of how the applicable agency intends to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; (2) an identification of Federal programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of the applicable agency in which HBCUs are underrepresented; (3) an outline of proposed efforts to improve HBCUs’ participation in such programs and initiatives; (4) a description of any progress made towards advancing or achieving goals and efforts from previous Agency Plans submitted under this section by such applicable agency; (5) a description of how the applicable agency plans to encourage public-sector, private-sector, and community involvement to improve the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, and to participate in programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of such agency; (6) an identification of programs and initiatives not listed in a previous Agency Plan in which an HBCU may participate; (7) any other information the applicable agency determines is relevant to promoting opportunities to fund, partner, contract, or otherwise interact with HBCUs; and (8) any additional criteria established by the Secretary or the White House Initiative. (e) Agency engagement To help fulfill the objectives of the Agency Plans, the head of each applicable agency— (1) shall provide, as appropriate, technical assistance and information to the Executive Director to enhance communication with HBCUs concerning the applicable agency’s— (A) programs and initiatives described in subsection (d)(2); and (B) the preparation of applications or proposals for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; and (2) shall appoint a senior official to report directly to the agency head on the applicable agency’s progress under this section. 5. President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs (a) Administration (1) In general There is established the President’s Board of Advisors on historically Black colleges and universities in the Department of Education or, if the President so elects, within the Executive Office of the President. (2) Funding from ED Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall provide funding and administrative support for the President’s Board of Advisors, subject to the availability of appropriations. (3) Funding from the Executive Office of the President If the President elects to locate the President’s Board of Advisors within the Executive Office of the President, the Executive Office of the President shall provide funding and administrative support for the President's Board of Advisors, subject to the availability of appropriations. (b) Membership (1) In general The President shall appoint not more than 23 members to the President’s Board of Advisors, and the Secretary and Executive Director or their designees shall serve as ex officio members. (2) Chair (A) Designation The President shall designate one member of the President’s Board of Advisors to serve as its Chair, who shall help direct the Board’s work in coordination with the Secretary and in consultation with the Executive Director. (B) Consultation The Chair shall also consult with the Executive Director regarding the time and location of meetings of the President’s Board of Advisors, which shall take place not less frequently than once every 6 months. (C) Performance Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) may apply to the President’s Board of Advisors, any functions of the President under such Act, except for those of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the Chair, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Administrator of General Services. (3) Compensation Members of the President’s Board of Advisors shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law. (c) Mission and functions The President’s Board of Advisors shall advise the President, through the White House Initiative, on all matters pertaining to strengthening the educational capacity of HBCUs, which shall include the following: (1) Improving the identity, visibility, distinctive capabilities, and overall competitiveness of HBCUs. (2) Engaging the philanthropic, business, government, military, homeland-security, and education communities in a national dialogue regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives. (3) Improving the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally secure institutions that can assist the Nation in achieving its educational goals and in advancing the interests of all Americans. (4) Elevating the public awareness of, and fostering appreciation of, HBCUs. (5) Encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs. (6) Improving government-wide strategic planning related to HBCU competitiveness to align Federal resources and provide the context for decisions about HBCU partnerships, investments, performance goals, priorities, human capital development, and budget planning. (d) Report The President’s Board of Advisors shall report annually to the President on the Board’s progress in carrying out its duties under this section.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate