[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1494 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1494
To strengthen partnerships between historically Black colleges and
universities and minority-serving institutions and the Department of
Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 5, 2019
Mr. Thompson of Mississippi (for himself, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Ms. Norton,
Mr. Hastings, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr.
Richmond, Mr. Cleaver, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Green of
Texas, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Payne, Ms. Lee of California, Mrs. Beatty,
Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Adams, Ms. Bass, Mr. Clyburn, and Mr. Johnson
of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on
Small Business, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To strengthen partnerships between historically Black colleges and
universities and minority-serving institutions and the Department of
Homeland Security, 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 ``Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCUs) Homeland Security Partnerships Act''.
SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT-WIDE STRATEGY FOR ENHANCED PARTNERSHIPS WITH
HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND
MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy,
and Plans of the Department, shall--
(1) issue a Department-wide strategy to enhance
partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities
and minority-serving institutions that includes yearly goals
through fiscal year 2024; and
(2) require the head of each component of the Department
to--
(A) not later than 150 days after the date of the
issuance under paragraph (1) of the Department-wide
strategy, develop a component-specific action plan to
implement such strategy;
(B) monitor progress on such implementation; and
(C) not later than one year after the date of such
issuance, report to the Secretary regarding progress on
such implementation.
SEC. 3. ENHANCEMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS.
The Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department
shall seek to enhance partnerships with historically Black colleges and
universities and minority-serving institutions with respect to
administering the primary research and development activities of the
Department by, among other things--
(1) encouraging the participation of such colleges,
universities, and institutions in the research, development,
testing, and evaluation programs and activities of the
Department;
(2) facilitating partnerships between such colleges,
universities, and institutions and private sector stakeholders,
national laboratories, and other academic institutions in areas
important to homeland security; and
(3) distributing funds through Science and Technology
Directorate grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to
such colleges, universities, and institutions for enhancements
in areas important to homeland security.
SEC. 4. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES PARTNERSHIPS.
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary, acting through the Chief Human Capitol Officer of
the Department, shall make available to historically Black colleges and
universities and minority-serving institutions a current list of
internship, fellowship, scholarship, and recruitment opportunities
within the Department for students and recent graduates of such
colleges, universities, and institutions.
SEC. 5. OPPORTUNITIES FOR 8(A) PROGRAM PARTNERSHIPS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business
Administration shall publish eligibility criteria on how historically
Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions may
qualify to participate in Federal acquisitions authorized pursuant to
section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a); Public Law
85-536).
(b) Department Actions.--Upon publication of eligibility criteria
in accordance with subsection (a), the Secretary shall disseminate
information to historically Black colleges and universities and
minority-serving institutions regarding--
(1) how to establish such eligibility; and
(2) current and future opportunities to participate in
Federal acquisitions authorized pursuant to section 8(a) of the
Small Business Act.
SEC. 6. ANNUAL REPORT.
(a) Annual Report.--Not later than December 31, 2020, and annually
thereafter through 2026, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on
the efforts of the Department to partner with historically Black
colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions to carry
out this Act.
(b) Reporting Requirements.--The annual reports required under
subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) A list of awards, including the corresponding monetary
value for each such award, to historically Black colleges and
universities and minority-serving institutions, disaggregated
by grant, contract, cooperative agreement, and other research
development test and evaluation activity, initiative, and
program.
(2) A description of how the Department is partnering with
historically Black colleges and universities and minority-
serving institutions under the programs referred to in sections
3 and 5, and how such programs have helped such colleges,
universities, and institutions participate in acquisitions with
the Department.
(3) A summary of outreach efforts to historically Black
colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions,
and an identification of any Department programs and
initiatives in which such colleges, universities, and
institutions are under-represented among institutions of higher
education.
(4) A description of the status of efforts made by the
Department pursuant to sections 2 and 4, including--
(A) for section 2, Department-wide goals pursuant
to the Department-wide strategy to enhance partnerships
with historically Black colleges and universities and
minority-serving institutions under such section, and
the status of efforts to implement action plans
throughout the Department to carry out such strategy;
and
(B) for section 4, participation rates in each
internship, fellowship, scholarship, and recruitment
opportunity referred to in such section, listed by
historically Black college and university and minority-
serving institution so participating.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Homeland Security.
(2) Historically black colleges and universities.--The term
``historically Black colleges and universities'' means a part B
institution described in section 322(2) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)).
(3) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(4) Minority-serving institutions.--The term ``minority-
serving institutions'' means an institution of higher education
described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means Secretary of
Homeland Security.
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