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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
appropriation; STEM internships
Purpose
Appropriates $2,000,000 in FY 2021 from the state General Fund (GF) to the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) internships. Establishes guidelines and procedures for awarding stipends to students and teachers.
Background
The ACA was established to provide private sector leadership in growing the economy and creating high quality employment through the attraction, expansion and retention of business (A.R.S. § 41-1502). The ACA is required to: 1) set and collect application fees, registry fees and security deposits; 2) establish full-time positions; 3) educate entrepreneurs about licensure requirements; 4) post annual website reports; 5) administer grants; and 6) disclose requested information to the Office of Economic Opportunity (A.R.S. § 41-1504).
STEM is science, technology, engineering and mathematics (A.R.S. § 15-782.01).
S.B. 1166 appropriates $2,000,000 from the state GF to the ACA in FY 2021.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $2,000,000 in FY 2021 from the state GF to the ACA for matching monies for STEM internships, allocated as follows:
a) 55 percent for high school, undergraduate college and university students, with preference given to high school students in rural and Title 1 schools;
b) 20 percent
for graduate-level college and university students;
c) 20 percent for kindergarten through grade twelve teachers; and
d) 5 percent for administration and outreach costs incurred during implementation.
2. Requires the ACA to establish guidelines and procedures for awarding stipends to students and teachers and a student evaluation form.
3. Requires a business in Arizona to sponsor a student or teacher to participate in the STEM internship at the business.
4. Requires the participating business with a STEM intern sponsored by the ACA to:
a) sponsor an additional student or teacher to participate in the STEM internship at the business's expense, unless the business has fewer than 100 employees;
b) demonstrate that the STEM internship includes meaningful and subject-relevant assignments with clear outcomes and expectations aligned to industry needs;
c) provide work-learning experiences for the interns through challenging projects and tasks with appropriate supervision and sufficient workspace; and
d) provide to the ACA, upon completion of the internship, an evaluation of the student's performance.
5. Requires the ACA to award, with consideration of the duration of internship:
a) up to $4,000 for a high school, undergraduate college or university student;
b) up to $6,000 for Arizona teachers of kindergarten programs and any of grades one through twelve;
c) up to $7,000 for a graduate-level college or university student; and
d) an additional $500 if the internship results in an industry certification.
6. Requires the ACA to create a website for individuals and businesses to apply for the stipend program and internships, even if the individuals and businesses do not qualify under this program.
7. Requires the ACA, by December 1 of each year, to submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that includes:
a) the number of awarded stipends;
b) the total awards by recipient category;
c) the average amount awarded by category;
d) the number of internships that led to industry certification or employment; and
e) the number of internships posted on the website.
8. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
9. Defines STEM as science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
10. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by the Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee
1. Increases stipends from 45 percent to 55 percent of the appropriation for high school and undergraduate college and university students.
2. Decreases stipends from 45 percent to 20 percent of the appropriation for graduate-level college and university students.
3. Decreases stipends from 10 percent to 5 percent of the appropriation for administration and outreach costs incurred from the STEM internship implementation.
4. Adds a stipend for teachers of kindergarten through grade 12.
5. Requires stipends for high school students to be given with preference to high school students in rural and Title 1 schools.
6. Requires the ACA to establish procedures and guidelines for a student evaluation form.
7. Requires a business who is sponsoring a STEM intern to:
a) demonstrate that the internship includes meaningful and subject-relevant assignments with clear outcomes and expectations aligned to industry needs;
b) include work-learning experiences in the internship through challenging projects and tasks with appropriate supervision and sufficient workspace; and
c) provide to the ACA, upon completion of the internship, an evaluation of the student's performance.
8. Replaces the stipend exceeding restriction with a requirement that a recipient be awarded with consideration of the duration of internship.
9. Decreases the stipend of $5,000 to up to $4,000 for a high school or undergraduate college or university student.
10. Decreases the stipend of $8,000 to up to $7,000 for a graduate-level college or university student.
11. Establishes a separate stipend of up to $6,000 for Arizona teachers of kindergarten programs and any of grades one through twelve
12. Allows an additional $500 to be awarded if the internship results in an industry certification.
13. Requires the ACA to create a website for individuals and businesses to apply to participate in the stipend program and internships.
14. Requires the ACA, on or before December 1, to submit an annual report to outlined entities.
15. Makes technical and conforming changes.
Senate Action
HEWD 2/3/20 DPA 7-0-0
APPROP 2/25/20 DP 6-1-2
Prepared by Senate Research
February 27, 2020
JO/MB/gs