HF 2850

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 04/26/2019 03:50pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing a grant program for school robotics programs;
requiring a report; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin SCHOOL ROBOTICS PROGRAM GRANTS; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant program established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must
establish a program to provide competitive grants to schools that provide pupils in
kindergarten through grade 12 with expanded opportunities to improve mathematics, science,
and technology skills by participating in events hosted by a science and technology
development program or other competitive robotics programs, including programs known
as FIRST Robotics, FIRST LEGO League Jr., FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge,
FIRST Robotics Competition, and the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation,
among others.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility; application. new text end

new text begin A school district or charter school is eligible to apply
for a grant under this section in the form and manner determined by the commissioner. To
be eligible for a grant, an applicant must have an established partnership for the purposes
of the robotics program with at least one sponsor, business entity, or postsecondary institution.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Allowable uses. new text end

new text begin Grant funds may be used for:
new text end

new text begin (1) operational costs for school robotics programs, including new and existing programs;
new text end

new text begin (2) stipends for robotics program coaches, not to exceed $1,000 per applicant; and
new text end

new text begin (3) event registrations, materials, travel costs, and other expenses associated with the
preparation for and attendance at robotics events and competitions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall award grants to qualified applicants.
To the extent practicable, the commissioner must award at least 50 percent of grant funds
to eligible applicants outside of the seven-county metropolitan area, as defined under
Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin (b) Each grant must not exceed 75 percent of the program budget submitted as part of
the grant application.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report required. new text end

new text begin (a) By January 15, 2022, each grant recipient must submit
a report to the commissioner detailing the outcomes of the grant-funded activities, including
a description of how the robotics program enhances the college and career readiness of
participants.
new text end

new text begin (b) By January 15, 2021, the commissioner of education must submit a written report
to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over kindergarten through grade 12 education. The report must identify the grant recipients
under this section and summarize the planned grant-funded activities of the grant recipients.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of education for school robotics program grants under
this section. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2021. The
commissioner may retain up to $30,000 for administration of the grant program.
new text end

new text begin (b) $150,000 in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of education for grants to robotics program mentoring organizations for event administration,
volunteer and team mentor recruitment, and training. Of this amount, $75,000 is for a grant
to High Tech Kids and $75,000 is for a grant to FIRST in Upper Midwest. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30, 2021.
new text end