ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: ED DP 7-0-1-0 | 3rd Read 24-5-1-0

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SB 1174: appropriation; STEM internships

Sponsor:  Senator Bowie, LD 18

Committee on Education

Overview

Appropriates $2,000,000 in FY 2022 from the state General Fund (GF) to the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) internships. Outlines procedures and guidelines for awarding internship stipends.

History

The ACA was established with the mission of: 1) providing private sector leadership in growing and diversifying the economy; 2) creating high quality employment through expansion, attraction and retention of businesses; and 3) marketing the State of Arizona for the purpose of expansion, attraction and retention of businesses (A.R.S. § 14-1502).

Statute requires the ACA to: 1) collect necessary security deposits and administrative fees; 2) establish offices in other states and countries for the purpose of expanding investment and export opportunities for businesses in Arizona; 3) establish a program by which entrepreneurs become aware of authorizations needed to establish, expand or operate in Arizona; and 4) administer and disburse grants from the Arizona Competes Fund to Arizona businesses (A.R.S. § 41-1504).

STEM is defined in statute as meaning science, technology, engineering and mathematics (A.R.S. § 15-782.01).

Provisions

1. Appropriates $2,000,000 from the state GF in FY 2022 to the ACA for matching monies for educational stipends for high school and college and university students and Arizona kindergarten and 1st-12th grade teachers who participate in STEM internships. (Sec. 1)

2. Instructs the ACA to allocate the appropriation as follows:

a) 55% for stipends for high school and undergraduate college and university students, with preference given to high school students in rural and Title 1 schools;

b) 20% for stipends for graduate-level college or university students;

c) 20% for stipends for Arizona kindergarten and 1st-12th grade teachers; and

d) 5% for administration and outreach incurred by the ACA during implementation. (Sec. 1)

2. Directs the ACA to establish guidelines for awarding stipends to students and teachers that require a business in Arizona to:

a) Sponsor the student or teacher to participate in a STEM internship at the business;

b) Agree, if the ACA awards a student or teacher a stipend and the business has 100 or more employees, to sponsor an additional student or teacher to participate in a STEM internship at the business and at the business's expense;

c) Demonstrate the STEM internship includes meaningful and subject-relevant assignments, including work-learning experiences through challenging projects and tasks with appropriate supervision and sufficient workspace; and

d) Provide an evaluation of the student's performance to the ACA upon completion of the STEM internship. (Sec. 1)

3. Stipulates that stipend monies awarded by the ACA must be awarded with consideration of the duration of the STEM internship and limits the stipend amounts to no more than:

a) $4,000 for a high school or undergraduate college or university student;

b) $7,000 for Arizona kindergarten and 1st-12th grade teachers; and

c) $7,000 for a graduate-level college or university student. (Sec. 1)

4. Allows the ACA to award an additional $500 if the STEM internship results in an industry certification. (Sec. 1)

5. Directs the ACA to establish a website where individuals and businesses may apply to receive a stipend and where STEM internships may be posted. (Sec. 1)

6. Requires the ACA, by December 1, 2022, to submit a report to the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives containing the:

a) Number of stipends awarded;

b) Total awards by recipient category;

c) Average amount awarded by category;

d) Number of STEM internships that led to industry certification or employment; and

e) Number of STEM internships posted on the website. (Sec. 1)

7. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing. (Sec. 1)

8. Repeals the STEM internship program on January 1, 2023. (Sec. 1)

9. Defines STEM as science, technology, engineering and mathematics. (Sec. 1)

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                        SB 1174

Initials CH/NM Page 0 Education

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