To provide additional funding for scholarships for students at 1890 institutions, and for other purposes.

Bill Number

H.R. 1271

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.

Last Updated

2025-04-07T12:45:17Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, H.R. 1271, aims to expand and secure long-term funding for scholarships supporting students at 1890 institutions—historically Black land-grant universities established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890 to promote agricultural and mechanical education for African American students. The goal is to enhance access to higher education in agriculture-related fields by making scholarships available for both undergraduate (bachelor's) and graduate programs.

Key Provisions

• Scholarship Eligibility Expansion: Scholarships now explicitly include programs leading to bachelor's or graduate degrees, broadening support beyond previous limitations.
• Mandatory Funding: Allocates $15 million annually starting in fiscal year 2025 (and every year after) from the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation (a government entity that supports farm income and prices). These funds remain available until spent.
• Discretionary Funding Extension: Continues authorization for additional flexible funding beyond fiscal year 2023, starting from fiscal year 2020 onward, subject to annual appropriations by Congress.
• Scholarship Duration Adjustment: Aligns the length of scholarship awards with the availability of funding, allowing support for multiple academic years as long as resources are provided.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill amends Section 1446 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222a), which previously authorized scholarships primarily for undergraduate-level studies with funding limited to specific fiscal years (2020–2023 for discretionary funds). Key changes include:

• Explicit inclusion of graduate programs, which were not clearly specified before.
• Introduction of permanent mandatory funding via the Commodity Credit Corporation, shifting from temporary or discretionary allocations.
• Extension of discretionary funding indefinitely, removing the prior end date.
• Updates to scholarship terms to match ongoing funding availability, replacing a fixed four-year limit.

These amendments ensure sustained financial support without relying solely on yearly congressional approvals for the mandatory portion.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Secretary, will administer the increased funding, potentially requiring additional administrative resources for scholarship distribution and oversight. The use of Commodity Credit Corporation funds provides a stable revenue stream without new taxes.
• On Citizens: Primarily benefits students from underrepresented groups, especially African American students, by making higher education in agriculture, science, and related fields more affordable. This could lead to a more diverse workforce in these sectors, improving food security and rural economies.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill focuses on domestic education and agriculture policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Students and Educational Institutions: Current and prospective students at the 19 designated 1890 institutions (e.g., Alabama A&M University, Florida A&M University) will gain expanded scholarship access, potentially increasing enrollment and graduation rates.
• USDA and Federal Government: Responsible for implementing and funding the program, with implications for budget planning.
• Agricultural Community: Broader benefits to farmers, researchers, and rural areas through a stronger pipeline of trained professionals from diverse backgrounds.
• Taxpayers: Indirectly affected via federal spending, though funded through existing agricultural support mechanisms.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the implementation of the 1890 Morrill Act by providing reliable funding, reducing dependency on annual budgets. The mandatory funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation is a common federal mechanism for agricultural programs but could face scrutiny if it diverts resources from other farm supports.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, and promotes equal educational opportunity without raising equal protection concerns, as it targets historically underserved institutions.
• Political: Supports equity in education and agriculture, potentially appealing to bipartisan interests in rural development and minority advancement. As an introduced bill referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, its passage could influence future farm bills or appropriations debates, emphasizing long-term investment over short-term funding.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13]

Cosponsors (19)

Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
• 2025-02-12: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-02-12: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-12: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• To provide additional funding for scholarships for students at 1890 institutions, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-02-12 — PDF (3 pages)