text: 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.
target: 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).
feat_title: To establish the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones Fire Suppression Demonstration Incentive Program within the Department of Education to promote installation of fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or prevention technologies, in qualified student housing and dormitories, and for other purposes.