article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act''. SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONORABLE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES FIRE SUPPRESSION DEMONSTRATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM. (a) Grants.--The Secretary of Education (in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary''), in consultation with the United States Fire Administration, shall establish a demonstration program to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities for the purpose of installing fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or prevention technologies, in student housing and dormitories owned or controlled by such entities. (b) Eligible Entity.--For purposes of this Act, the term ``eligible entity'' means any of the following: (1) An institution of higher education (as that term is defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)), including an institution eligible to receive assistance under part A or B of title III or title V of such Act. (2) A social fraternity or sorority exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 501(a)), the active membership of which consists primarily of students in attendance at an institution of higher education (as that term is defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)). (c) Selection Priority.--In making grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that demonstrate the greatest financial need. (d) Reserved Amounts.-- (1) In general.--Of the amount made available to the Secretary for grants under this section for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall award-- (A) not less than 10 percent to eligible entities that are institutions described in subsection (b)(1) that are eligible to receive assistance under part A or B of title III or title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ; and (B) not less than 10 percent to eligible entities that are social fraternities and sororities described in subsection (b)(2). (2) Plan required.--The Secretary shall develop a plan to inform entities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) that such entities may be eligible to apply for grants under this section. (3) Insufficient applicants.--If the Secretary determines that there are an insufficient number of qualified applicants to award the reserved amounts required in accordance with paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make available the remainder of such reserved amounts for use by other eligible entities. (e) Application.--To seek a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. (f) Matching Requirement.--As a condition of receipt of a grant under subsection (a), the applicant shall provide (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal matching funds in an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of the cost of the activities for which assistance is sought. (g) Supplement Not Supplant.--Funds made available under this program shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other funds that would otherwise be expended to carry out fire safety activities. (h) Limitation on Administrative Expenses.--Not more than 2 percent of a grant made under subsection (a) may be expended for administrative expenses with respect to the grant. (i) Reports.--Not later than 12 months after the date of the first award of a grant under this section and annually thereafter until completion of the program, the Secretary shall provide to the Congress a report that includes the following: (1) The number and types of eligible entities receiving assistance under this section. (2) The amounts of such assistance, the amounts and sources of non-Federal funding leveraged for activities under grants under this section, and any other relevant financial information. (3) The number and types of student housing fitted with fire suppression or prevention technologies with assistance under this section, and the number of students protected by such technologies. (4) The types of fire suppression or prevention technologies installed with assistance under this section, and the costs of such technologies. (5) Identification of Federal and State policies that present impediments to the development and installation of fire suppression or prevention technologies. (6) Any other information determined by the Secretary to be useful to evaluating the overall effectiveness of the program established under this section in improving the fire safety of student housing. (j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2011. SEC. 3. ADMISSIBILITY AS EVIDENCE. (a) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to subsection (b), any application for assistance under this Act, any negative determination on the part of the Secretary with respect to such application, or any statement of reasons for the determination, shall not be admissible as evidence in any proceeding of any court, agency, board, or other entity. (b) Exception.--This section does not apply to the admission of an application, determination, or statement described in subsection (a) as evidence in a proceeding to enforce an agreement entered into between the Secretary and an eligible entity under section 2. Passed the House of Representatives September 23, 2008. Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, Clerk.
summary: Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make competitive demonstration grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs), fraternities, and sororities for up to half the cost of installing fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or prevention technologies, in student housing and dormitories owned or controlled by such entities. Gives grant priority to applicants that demonstrate the greatest financial need. Reserves the following portions of grant funds made available for each fiscal year: (1) at least 10% for historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and IHEs that are eligible for Institutional Aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965; and (2) at least 10% for social fraternities and sororities. Prohibits the use of more than 2% of a grant for administrative expenses. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress regarding such grant program and governmental policies that impede the development and installation of fire suppression or prevention technologies. Authorizes FY2009-FY2011 appropriations for the grant program. Provides that any application for assistance under this Act, any negative determination on the part of the Secretary with respect to such application, or any statement of reasons for the determination, shall not be admissible as evidence in any proceeding of any court, agency, board, or other entity (except a proceeding to enforce an agreement entered into between the Secretary and a grantee under this Act).