ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HB 2607: appropriation; STEM; learning; workforce development

Sponsor: Representative John, LD 4

Committee on Commerce

Overview

Appropriates $3,000,000 to the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) for the STEM learning and workforce development grant program (Program).

History

The ACA promotes workforce development by providing private sector leadership in growing and diversifying Arizona's economy and creating high quality employment through the expansion, attraction and retention of businesses (A.R.S. § 41-1502).

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The State Board of Education may issue a specialized teaching certificate in STEM education for instruction in a career and technical education course or program offered by a school or career technical education district (A.R.S. § 15-782.01).

Provisions

1. Appropriates $3,000,000 from the state General Fund in FY 2023 to the ACA for administering the Program. (Sec. 1)

2. Specifies the Program is intended to build STEM networks to leverage assets on every community level with funding priority given to rural and semirural areas. (Sec. 1)

3. Directs the ACA to maximize and connect STEM learning and workforce development opportunities provided by certain entities, school districts, science centers and higher education institutions. (Sec. 1)

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

5. Asserts the Legislature intends that the appropriation be considered ongoing funding in future years. (Sec. 1)

6. Requires the ACA to use the U.S. Department of Agriculture's most recent urban-rural code scheme, for categorizing rural and semirural areas. (Sec. 1)

7. Directs the ACA to submit a report on the distribution of grant monies to the legislature by December 31, 2022. (Sec. 1)

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