article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``ED 1.0 Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) Access to technology can improve grade and test averages, graduation rates, and retention rates, in addition to increasing the number of graduates in science and technology disciplines. (2) Minority-serving institutions historically have an important role in reaching an underserved population, and minority-serving institutions in economically disadvantaged areas face particular hardships in acquiring funds to sustain and expand their technological resources. (3) Low-income areas are technologically underserved. (4) Congress and the technological community should do all they can to find new and creative ways to bridge the current technology gap. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. (2) Eligible educational institution.--The term ``eligible educational institution'' means an institution that is-- (A) a historically Black college or university; (B) a Hispanic-serving institution as that term is defined in section 502(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5)); (C) a tribally controlled college or university as that term is defined in section 2(a)(4) of the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801(a)(4)); (D) an Alaska Native-serving institution as that term is defined in section 317(b)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)(2)); or (E) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution as that term is defined in section 317(b)(4) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)(4)). (3) Historically black college or university.--The term ``historically Black college or university'' means a part B institution as that term is defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)). SEC. 4. MINORITY ONLINE DEGREE PILOT PROGRAM. (a) Pilot Program Established.-- (1) In general.--There is established within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration a pilot program under which the Administrator shall award 4 grants to eligible educational institutions to enable the eligible educational institutions to develop digital and wireless networks for online educational programs of study within the eligible educational institutions. (2) Grant number, duration, and amount.-- (A) Number.--The Administrator shall award a total of 4 grants under this section. (B) Duration.--Each grant under this section shall be awarded for a period of 6 years. (C) Annual grant payment amounts.--The Administrator shall make grant payments under this section in the amount of-- (i) $1,000,000 for the first fiscal year of a grant awarded under this section; (ii) $600,000 for each of the second through fifth such fiscal years; and (iii) $100,000 for the sixth such fiscal year. (b) Priority.-- (1) In general.--In awarding grants under this section the Administrator shall give priority to an eligible educational institution that, according to the most recent data available (including data available from the Bureau of the Census), serves a county-- (A) in which 50 percent of the residents of the county are members of a racial or ethnic minority; (B) in which less than 18 percent of the residents of the county have obtained a baccalaureate degree or a higher education; (C) that has an unemployment rate of 7 percent or greater; (D) in which 19 percent or more of the residents of the county live in poverty; (E) that has a negative population growth rate; or (F) that has a median family income of $32,000. (2) Highest priority.--In awarding grants under this section the Administrator shall give the highest priority to an eligible educational institution that meets the greatest number of requirements described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of paragraph (1). (c) Use of Funds.--An eligible educational institution receiving a grant under this section may use the grant funds-- (1) to acquire equipment, instrumentation, networking capability, hardware, software, digital network technology, wireless technology, or wireless infrastructure; (2) to develop and provide educational services, including faculty development; or (3) to develop strategic plans for information technology investments. (d) Matching Not Required.--The Administrator shall not require an eligible educational institution to provide matching funds for a grant awarded under this section. (e) Report.--Not later than November 1 of each year, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report evaluating the progress, during the preceding fiscal year, of the pilot program assisted under this section. (f) Authorization of Appropriations.-- (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section-- (A) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2008; (B) $2,400,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2012; and (C) $500,000 for fiscal year 2013. (2) Availability.--Funds appropriated under paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended. (g) Limitation on Use of Other Funds.--The Administrator shall carry out this section only with amounts appropriated in advance specifically to carry out this section.
summary: ED 1.0 Act - Establishes a pilot program requiring the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to award six-year grants to four minority-serving educational institutions, enabling them to develop digital and wireless networks for online programs of study within the institutions. Gives grant priority to institutions serving counties: (1) that meet specified criteria of economic depression; (2) less than 18% of whose residents have a higher education; and (3) at least half of whose residents are minorities.