H.R. 2801: Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2003

108th Congress · introduced 2003-07-21 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: House Committee on Education and the Workforce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 10, 2004.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2003-07-21 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Forbes, J. Randy [R-VA-4] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: House Committee on Education and the Workforce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 10, 2004. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2003

Plain summary

Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2003 (sic)- Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Program to assist eligible educational institutions in acquiring, and augmenting use of, digital and wireless networking technologies to improve the quality and delivery of educational services at such institutions. Defines as eligible institutions: (1) historically Black colleges or universities, (2) a Hispanic-, Alaskan Native-, or Native Hawaiian-serving institution; (3) a tribally controlled college or university; or (4) an institution with a sufficient enrollment of needy students as defined under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Outlines authorized assistance activities. Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology to: (1) establish an advisory council to advise on the best approaches toward maximum Program participation by eligible institutions; and (2) ensure that grant awards are made to all types of eligible institutions Requires Program assessment every three years by the National Academy of Public Administration. Requires: (1) each institution receiving assistance to report annually to the Under Secretary on the use of such funds; and (2) the Under Secretary to report assessment results to Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 for the Program. Acknowledges and recognizes the significant achievements and contributions of African-American scientists, mathematicians, and inventors.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House amended, Part I), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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A “Nay” vote

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PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2003

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House amended, Part I)

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Forbes, J. Randy [R-VA-4] · 51 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2801, Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2003 (2003-07-25); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2801, Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2003 (2003-07-25)

Cosponsors on this site

Mike Rogers (R-AL), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), John R. Carter (R-TX), John B. Larson (D-CT), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Fiscal year: The 12-month period a government uses for its budget. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is named for the calendar year in which it ends. Most states use July 1 to June 30.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House amended, Part I)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-108hr2801.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/108/hr>

Record fed-us-cong108-hr2801 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108