SF 4035

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/25/2024 08:40am

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; clarifying the grant application process for the
P-TECH program; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.093,
subdivisions 3, 4, 5; Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 33.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.093, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Application process.

The commissioner must determine the form and manner
of application for a school to be designated a P-TECH school. The application new text begin for an
implementation grant new text end must contain at least the following information:

(1) the written agreement between a public school, a higher education institution under
section 124D.09, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), and a business partner to jointly develop and
support a P-TECH school;

(2) a proposed school design consistent with subdivisions 1 and 2;

(3) a description of how the P-TECH school supports the needs of the economic
development region in which the P-TECH school is to be located;

(4) a description of the facilities to be used by the P-TECH school;

(5) a description of proposed budgets, curriculum, transportation plans, and other
operating procedures for the P-TECH school;

(6) the process by which students will be enrolled in the P-TECH school;

(7) the qualifications required for individuals employed in the P-TECH school; and

(8) any additional information that the commissioner requires.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.093, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Approval process.

(a) The commissioner of education must appoint an advisory
committee to review the applications and to recommend approval for those applications
that meet the requirements of this section. The commissioner of education has final authority
over application approvals.

(b) To the extent practicable, the commissioner must ensure an equitable geographic
distribution of approved P-TECH schools.

deleted text begin (c) The commissioner must first begin approving applications for a P-TECH school
enrolling students in the 2020-2021 school year or later.
deleted text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.093, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

P-TECH support new text begin , start-up, and mentoring new text end grants.

new text begin (a) new text end When an appropriation
is available, each P-TECH school is eligible for a grant to support start-up and ongoing
program costs, which may include, but are not limited to, recruitment, student support,
program materials, and P-TECH school liaisons. new text begin A P-TECH school may form a partnership
with a school in another school district.
new text end

new text begin (b) For fiscal year 2026 and later, the maximum P-TECH support grant must not exceed
$500,000 per year. A support grant may be awarded for a period not to exceed two years.
Beginning in fiscal year 2028, all P-TECH support grants must be awarded on a competitive
grant basis.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end An approved P-TECH school is eligible to receive a grant to support start-up costs
the year before first enrolling P-TECH students. new text begin A start-up grant may be awarded to a new
applicant in an amount not to exceed $50,000.
new text end

new text begin (d) A grant recipient operating a P-TECH program may provide mentoring and technical
assistance to a school eligible for a start-up grant. A mentoring and technical assistance
grant may not exceed $50,000.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 33, is amended to read:

Subd. 33.

P-TECH schools.

(a) For P-TECH support grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.093, subdivision 5:

	$	791,000	.....	2024
	$	791,000	.....	2025

(b) The deleted text begin amounts in this subdivision are for grants, including deleted text end new text begin fiscal year 2024 appropriation
must be awarded as a grant new text end to a public-private partnership that includes Independent School
District No. 535, Rochester. new text begin The fiscal year 2025 appropriation must include a grant of at
least $500,000 to a public-private partnership that includes Independent School District No.
535, Rochester. The department may award start-up grants and technical assistance grants
beginning in fiscal year 2025.
new text end

(c) deleted text begin Any balance in the first year does deleted text end new text begin These appropriations do new text end not cancel but deleted text begin is deleted text end new text begin are new text end
available deleted text begin in the second year deleted text end new text begin until June 30, 2027 new text end . new text begin Notwithstanding any law to the contrary,
a grant recipient may spend its grant amount in the fiscal year the grant is awarded or in the
following three fiscal years.
new text end

new text begin (d) The department may retain up to two percent of the fiscal year 2024 appropriation
and five percent of the fiscal year 2025 appropriation for grant administration.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end