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S. 196: Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2003

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S. 196: Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2003

108th Congress · introduced 2003-01-17 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2003-01-17 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Allen, George [R-VA] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: Senate vote 136 (2003): On Passage of the Bill, S196 (2003-04-30), Bill Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. 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 - Establishes within the National Science Foundation (NSF) an Office of Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology to: (1) award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements (assistance) to eligible institutions to provide educational instruction in digital and wireless network technologies; and (2) strengthen the national digital and wireless infrastructure by increasing national investment in telecommunications and technology infrastructure at eligible institutions. Requires the NSF Director to establish an advisory council on the best approaches for involving eligible institutions in supported activities and for reviewing and evaluating submitted proposals. Requires the council to include members from minority serving institutions. Makes the following institutions eligible for such assistance: (1) a historically Black college or university; (2) a Hispanic-, Alaska Native-, or Native Hawaiian-serving institution; (3) a tribally controlled college or university; or (4) an institution determined to have enrolled a substantial number of minority, low-income students who received assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Provides a matching funds requirement. Prohibits an institution that receives assistance exceeding $2.5 million from receiving further assistance until every other eligible institution has received assistance under this Act. Requires each institution receiving such assistance to report annually to the Director on its use of such assistance. Requires the Director to review such reports, evaluate such assistance program, and report recommendations to Congress, including recommendations on the continuing need for Federal support of the program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

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 (Passed Senate amended)

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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: Sen. Allen, George [R-VA] · 26 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 196, Digital and Wireless Network Technology Program Act of 2003 (2003-03-18); CBO cost estimate: S. 196, Digital and Wireless Network Technology Program Act of 2003 (2003-03-18)

Cosponsors on this site

Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
Appropriation
Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
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

Record fed-us-cong108-s196 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108