IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8791
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-03T08:06:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation establishes the "Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education for HBCU Excellence Act" (IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act). Its primary aim is to authorize competitive grants from the Secretary of Education to support long-term improvements in facilities, infrastructure, technology, and related resources at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Key Provisions
- Grant Program: The Secretary awards competitive grants to eligible entities (defined as Part B institutions under the Higher Education Act or certain listed programs) for periods determined by the Secretary. Multiple grants per entity are allowed.
- Application and Priorities: Entities submit applications detailing projects, health/safety benefits, facility age, and maintenance plans. Priority goes to those with greatest facility needs (e.g., proximity to toxic sites, natural disaster vulnerability, deferred maintenance), limited fundraising capacity, high percentages of Pell Grant-eligible students, public institutions with declining state support, and efforts to seek additional funding. Secondary priorities include broadband access, associate-degree focus, or first-time recipients.
- Geographic and Technical Support: Grants must reflect geographic distribution of HBCUs; the Secretary may provide technical assistance for applications and compliance.
- Permitted Uses (Section 3): Funds support construction/renovation of instructional labs, research facilities, dorms, roads, historic preservation, security, water/power infrastructure, vehicle fleets, deferred maintenance repairs, research equipment (e.g., AI, cybersecurity), land acquisition for non-classroom facilities, broadband/high-speed networks, safety design, and institutional planning/master plans.
- Prohibited Uses: Routine maintenance, athletic facilities with public admission charges, risky communications equipment, or activities already funded under Part B of Title III of the Higher Education Act (unless approved).
- Other Requirements: Grants supplement, not supplant, existing funds; partnerships with public/private entities are encouraged; small business concerns (veteran-owned, HUBZone) must be sought for contracts; up to 5% of funds may cover administrative costs and a required facilities master plan.
- Loan Provisions (Section 6): The Secretary repays outstanding balances on certain pre-2021 closed HBCU Capital Financing Program loans upon disbursement.
- Reporting and Studies: The Department of Education submits annual reports on projects, costs, demographics, and compliance. The Comptroller General conducts studies on funding needs and program implementation.
- Authorization: Such sums as necessary for fiscal years 2027 through 2032.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This Act creates a new standalone grant program outside existing HBCU funding streams under Title III of the Higher Education Act. It introduces repayment of specific closed capital financing loans and mandates facilities master plans with stakeholder consultation. It does not amend core definitions or structures in the Higher Education Act but layers new infrastructure-focused support atop them.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for the Department of Education in grant awarding, oversight, and reporting; may affect appropriations processes.
- Citizens: Aims to enhance campus safety, technology access, and learning environments for students, faculty, and staff at HBCUs, potentially improving educational outcomes and reducing health/safety risks.
- International Relations: No direct provisions or anticipated effects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Eligible HBCUs and their leadership, students (especially Pell Grant recipients), faculty, and staff.
- The Secretary of Education and Department of Education.
- Small businesses (veteran-owned and HUBZone) involved in project contracts.
- State and local governments, communities near HBCUs, and potential public/private partners.
- Congress through appropriations and oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill operates within Congress's spending authority under the Constitution and raises no apparent conflicts with existing law. It emphasizes equity in resource allocation for historically under-resourced institutions without altering constitutional rights or federal-state balances. The program includes safeguards against national security risks in equipment purchases.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (33)
Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-05-13: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education for HBCU Excellence Act — issued 2026-05-13 — PDF (26 pages)