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2016 SESSION

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CHAPTER 761 An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 22.1 a chapter numbered 25, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-362 and 22.1-363, relating to grants for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics competition teams at qualified schools. [S 246] Approved April 20, 2016  

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 22.1-362 and 22.1-363, as follows:

CHAPTER 25. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS COMPETITION TEAM GRANT PROGRAM AND FUND.

§ 22.1-362. STEM Competition Team Grant Program.

A. As used in this chapter:

"Fund" means the STEM Competition Team Grant Fund established in § 22.1-363.

"Qualified school" means a public 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" includes computer science, computational thinking, and computer coding.

"STEM competition team" means an extracurricular team-building activity that has a primary objective of engaging students in STEM-related team-building activities and may include participating in project-based team competitions.

B. Beginning January 1, 2017, a qualified school may apply for a grant from the Fund. Such grant shall be designated to establish or support STEM competition teams, not to exceed $10,000 per school per year. 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.

C. The Board shall develop guidelines setting forth the general requirements of qualifying for a grant to include a grant application form. Such guidelines shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

§ 22.1-363. STEM Competition Team Grant Fund.

From such funds as may be available from public or private sources, there is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the STEM Competition Team Grant 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 competition teams 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.

2. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2018.