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119-hr-8791119th CongressWALLET

IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act

Sponsored By: Representative Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a competitive grant program to upgrade HBCU and similar campuses. This bill would fund long-term repairs, replacements, and upgrades to improve safety, durability, and digital capacity at eligible institutions while directing aid to the highest-need campuses.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for HBCU campus repairs

The bill would create a competitive Department of Education grant program for long-term campus facilities at eligible historically Black colleges and other listed institutions. The Department would set grant periods, could award multiple grants to an institution, encourage public–private partnerships, and provide technical assistance. Grants could pay for construction, renovation, broadband, HVAC/indoor air quality, utility and infrastructure work, planning, and some land and equipment costs. Grantees could reserve up to 5% of each grant for administrative, health, and noise-protection costs. The Department would prioritize institutions with the greatest facility and fundraising need, require a facilities master plan within 180 days of award, ban routine maintenance and ticketed athletic facilities from funding, and require grants to supplement, not replace, public funds. The program would aim for geographic distribution and is authorized for such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

Repay certain closed HBCU loans

The bill would require that when an institution receives a disbursement under a covered closed loan agreement, the Secretary would repay the outstanding principal, interest, fees, and costs on that disbursed amount. The Secretary would also reimburse usual payoff items such as escrow reimbursements and returned fees or deposits.

Reporting and GAO oversight studies

If enacted, the Department would report to Congress starting within 2 years and then every year on projects funded by the grants. Reports would list project types, square feet improved, total and categorized costs, geographic spread, and student demographics by race and Pell status, and include a sampled evaluation of recipients. The Government Accountability Office would do two studies: one within 2 years on how much funding is needed and estimated deferred maintenance costs, and one within 4 years on program implementation and accessibility with recommendations to the Secretary.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]

AR • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

    AL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]

    AL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 5/21/2026

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/21/2026

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 5/26/2026

  • Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6]

    SC • D

    Sponsored 5/26/2026

  • Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6]

    KY • R

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 6/4/2026

  • Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 6/4/2026

  • Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

  • Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

  • Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 6/15/2026

  • Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 6/15/2026

  • Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 6/15/2026

  • Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]

    KY • D

    Sponsored 6/15/2026

  • Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 6/22/2026

  • Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 6/22/2026

  • Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 6/22/2026

  • Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 6/22/2026

  • Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 7/2/2026

  • Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 7/2/2026

  • Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 7/16/2026

  • Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 7/16/2026

  • Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

  • Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 7/27/2026

  • Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 7/27/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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