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H.R. 921: Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2005

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H.R. 921: Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2005

109th Congress · introduced 2005-02-17 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: House Committee on Education and the Workforce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 8, 2006.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2005-02-17 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Forbes, J. Randy [R-VA-4] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: House Committee on Education and the Workforce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 8, 2006. 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 2005

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2005 - 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. Provides a matching funds requirement. Limits grant awards to $2.5 million per institution. Requires: (1) each grant recipient to report annually to the Under Secretary on grant uses; (2) the National Academy of Public Administration to conduct periodic assessments (every three years) of the grant program; and (3) the Under Secretary to transmit such assessments to Congress, along with plans to implement any recommendations of the Academy. Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2010.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House without amendment, Part I), 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 2005

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House without amendment, Part I)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Alternatives

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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] · 28 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 921, Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2005 (2005-05-11); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 921, Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act of 2005 (2005-05-11)

Cosponsors on this site

Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Al Green (D-TX), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS)

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 (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.
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.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong109-hr921 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong109 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong109