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2016 SESSION
16104282DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 22 of Title 2.2 a section numbered 2.2-2233.3, by adding a section numbered 2.2-2240.7, and by adding in Title 22.1 a chapter numbered 25, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-362, 22.1-363, and 22.1-364, as follows:
§ 2.2-2233.3. Collaborative Cybersecurity Research Fund; report.
A. 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 Collaborative Cybersecurity Research Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund," to be administered by the Authority. 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 matching grants for collaborative research between a private entity and one or more public institutions of higher education related to cybersecurity. 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 chairman or vice-chairman of the Authority or, if so authorized by the Authority, bearing his facsimile signature and the official seal of the Authority.
B. Beginning July 1, 2016, a private entity conducting research and development activities with one or more public institutions of higher education may apply for a matching grant for research projects related to cybersecurity. The amount of funding provided by the private entity must be at least equal to the amount sought from the Fund. Preference will be given to projects that project a short time to commercialization.
C. The Authority shall develop guidelines setting forth the general requirements for 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.).
D. The Authority shall provide the Governor and the General Assembly with an annual report to include a detailed list of grants committed, the amount of each approved grant, a description of the approved proposals, the amount of private matching funds, and an assessment of the effectiveness of the Fund.
§ 2.2-2240.7. Cybersecurity Portal Program.
A. The Authority, in consultation with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the advisory committee established pursuant to subsection B, shall establish a cybersecurity research network website ("the Network"). The Network shall serve as a central website to allow users to search for (i)_researchers at public institutions of higher educated with expertise in any field related to cybersecurity, (ii) opportunities for collaboration, and (iii) any other information deemed useful in promoting the Commonwealth to private sector companies engaged in cybersecurity seeking to locate or expand their business or to engage in research and development activities with state institutions of higher education. The Network shall be updated frequently, but in no case less than quarterly, and state institutions of public education shall cooperate with the Authority in providing up-to-date information for the Network.
B. An advisory committee shall be established to assist the Authority in developing content for the Network. The advisory committee shall consist of a representative of each state institution of higher education and the Virginia Community College System with economic development or cybersecurity experience, to be designated by each institution and the Virginia Community College System, the director of the Joint Commission on Technology and Science, and a representative of the Secretaries of Commerce and Trade, Education, and Technology.
C. As a part of the Network program, the Authority shall designate a staff person to serve as a central point of contact between state institutions of higher education and the private sector.
§ 22.1-362. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Fund" means the STEM Education Fund established pursuant to this chapter.
"STEM" means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
"STEM program" means an academic class, curriculum, or activity focused on a STEM discipline at a public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth. "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 activities 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.
§ 22.1-363. 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, referred to in this section as "the Fund," to be administered by the Department 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 matching grants for STEM programs at public elementary or secondary schools in the Commonwealth. 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.
§ 22.1-364. STEM Education Matching Grant Program.
A. Beginning July 1, 2016, a public elementary or secondary school may apply for a matching grant from the Fund to support a STEM program at the school. The grant shall be in an amount equal to the funds provided or raised by the school, not to exceed $5,000 per school per year. No grant shall be awarded for funds provided to the school for general education purposes or overhead costs.
B. A school shall apply to the Department of Education for a matching grant for a STEM program. 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 Department of Education shall develop guidelines setting forth the general requirements for applying for a grant, including a grant application form and a certification from the recipient school specifying how the funds were expended. Such guidelines shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).
D. The Department of Education shall submit a list of all schools receiving matching grants under this chapter, and a description of the STEM Program for which they were used, to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the Joint Commission on Technology and Science no later than December 1 of each year.
2. That the Secretary of Technology shall organize and convene a Virginia Cybersecurity Conference in 2016 aimed at showcasing Virginia's public and private assets, including research expertise at state institutions of higher education, and demonstrating the Commonwealth's leadership in the field of cybersecurity.