[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is less, is hereby rescinded.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equivalent to the amount rescinded under subsection (a), to remain 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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