Realizing Excellence in Institutional Grants, New Infrastructure, Technology and Education Act of 2024

Education

house

senate

president

Introduced on April 16, 2024 by Alma Adams

Legislation Details

Establishes a grant program to support long-term improvements at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), graduate programs at HBCUs, and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs).
Requires the Department of Education (ED) to award grants for improving campus facilities at HBCUs and MSIs.
Grant funds must be used for activities such as constructing or renovating facilities, major repairs, and enhancing campus safety and security.
New construction, modernization, or renovation projects must comply with building code and energy and water conservation requirements.
Encourages HBCUs and MSIs to procure contracts from small businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans.
Prohibits the use of grant funds for routine maintenance costs, minor repairs, and utility bills.
The Government Accountability Office is tasked with studying the implementation of the grant program.
ED is required to repay the outstanding balance of principal, interest, fees, and costs for certain capital financing loans.
Grants can be used for a variety of purposes including construction, modernization, major repairs, acquiring technology, and improving energy and water efficiency.
Grants cannot be used for facilities primarily used for athletic events with admission charges, sectarian instruction, or religious worship, or for purchasing equipment or services posing a national security risk.
Encourages partnerships between eligible entities and public and private entities for additional funding and support.
Requires new projects to meet nationally recognized building, energy conservation, and WaterSense performance criteria.
Eligible entities must seek to contract with small businesses owned by veterans, women, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
A portion of the grant can be reserved for developing a facilities master plan, mitigating health and noise impacts during construction, administrative work, and other administrative costs.
Specifies the definition of eligible entities, including various types of minority-serving institutions.
Authorizes appropriations for the program for fiscal years 2025 through 2030, with specific allocation percentages for different types of MSIs.

Last updated 8/8/2024