Parity for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Students in Agriculture Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6343

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Native Americans

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.

Last Updated

2025-12-11T15:16:30Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Parity for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Students in Agriculture Act (H.R. 6343) aims to extend and enhance federal education grant programs for institutions serving Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. These grants support agricultural research, extension, and teaching activities, promoting access to higher education in agriculture for underrepresented students.

Key Provisions

• Grant Extensions for Alaska Native Serving Institutions (under Section 1419B(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977):
• Grants are limited to a maximum period of 3 years.
• Funding authorization: $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, increasing to $15,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
• Grant Extensions for Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (under Section 1419B(b)):
• Grants are limited to a maximum period of 3 years.
• Funding authorization: $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, increasing to $15,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
• The amendments update existing paragraphs in the law to incorporate these changes, including redesignating certain subsections for clarity.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, funding for these grants was authorized at $10,000,000 annually through fiscal year 2023, with no specified grant duration.
• This bill extends the program authorization to fiscal year 2031, introduces a 3-year limit on individual grants to encourage focused project timelines, and raises the annual funding level to $15,000,000 starting in fiscal year 2027, providing a total increase in committed resources over the new period.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers these grants through its research and education programs, will need to allocate additional funds (potentially up to $75,000,000 more over the extended period) and manage grant cycles under the new 3-year structure, possibly streamlining administrative processes.
• On Citizens: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students will gain improved access to agricultural education, research, and extension services, fostering career opportunities in farming, food systems, and related fields in underserved communities.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic education funding for U.S. territories and states (Alaska and Hawaii).

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Primary Beneficiaries: Alaska Native serving institutions (e.g., colleges focused on Indigenous Alaskan education) and Native Hawaiian serving institutions (e.g., those supporting Native Hawaiian students), including their faculty, staff, and students pursuing agriculture-related degrees.
• Secondary Stakeholders: USDA agencies responsible for grant distribution, such as the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; broader Native communities in Alaska and Hawaii who rely on these institutions for cultural and economic development in agriculture; and federal taxpayers funding the increased appropriations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill builds on existing federal authority under the 1977 Act to support minority-serving institutions, ensuring compliance with statutes like the Higher Education Act that promote equity in funding. It introduces no new enforcement mechanisms but could face scrutiny over funding levels during congressional budget debates.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, to allocate funds for education and agriculture without infringing on state rights, as it targets specific federal programs.
• Political: Enhances parity in federal support for Native-serving institutions, potentially advancing broader goals of Indigenous equity and reconciliation. It may influence future appropriations bills by setting higher funding baselines, though passage depends on bipartisan support in agriculture committees.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
• 2025-12-01: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-12-01: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-01: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Parity for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Students in Agriculture Act — issued 2025-12-01 — PDF (3 pages)