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2014 SESSION

14104844D
SENATE BILL NO. 107
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Finance
on February 5, 2014)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Stanley)
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 22.1 a chapter numbered 25, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-400 and 22.1-401, relating to grants for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs at qualified schools.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 22.1 a chapter numbered 25, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-400 and 22.1-401, as follows:

CHAPTER 25.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM.

§ 22.1-400. STEM Education Fund established.

From such funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly and any gifts, grants, or donations from public or private sources, there is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the STEM Education Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund," to be administered by the Board of Education. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of providing grants for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs at qualified schools. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

§ 22.1-401. STEM Education Grant Program.

A. As used in this chapter:

"Department" means the Department of Education.

"Qualified school" means a public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth at which at least 40 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

"STEM" means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

"STEM organization" means a nonstock, nonprofit corporation that (i) is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended or renumbered, and (ii) provides, as part of its mission, support for STEM education and STEM programs.

"STEM program" means an academic class, curriculum, or activity focused on a STEM discipline at a qualified school. "STEM program" includes classes focused primarily on a STEM discipline; modules, projects, or activities focused on a STEM discipline in any academic class; extracurricular activities whose primary objective is to engage students in STEM-related activities; summer school activities focusing on STEM education, regardless of whether such activities are held at the school or at a remote location; and textbooks, equipment, or other supplies used specifically for such classes, curricula, or activities.

"Superintendent" means the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

B. Beginning January 1, 2014, a STEM organization that provides funds to a qualified school for use in STEM programs may apply for a grant from the Fund. Such grant shall be in an amount equal to the funds provided to the qualified school and designated for STEM programs or purposes, not to exceed $50,000 per organization per year. Such grant shall not be for funds provided to a qualified school for general education purposes or overhead costs.

C. A STEM organization shall apply to the Board for a grant for funds provided to a qualified school in support of STEM programs or purposes. Grants shall be issued in the order that each completed eligible application is received. In the event that the amount of eligible grants requested in a fiscal year exceeds the funds available in the Fund, such grants shall be paid in the next fiscal year in which funds are available.

D. The Superintendent shall publish annually on the Department's website a list of qualified schools eligible to receive funds from STEM organizations.

E. The Board shall develop guidelines setting forth the general requirements of qualifying for a grant to include a grant application form and a certification from the recipient qualified school as to how the funds from the STEM organization were expended. Such guidelines shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

F. The Board shall submit a list of all STEM organizations receiving grants under this chapter to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Finance Committees no later than December 1 of each year.