REFERENCE TITLE: appropriation; dual enrollment training; scholarships

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

SB 1728

Introduced by

Senator Gonzales

An Act

appropriating monies to the Arizona board of regents.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Appropriation; exemption; Arizona board of regents; dual enrollment instructor scholarships; annual report; delayed repeal; definitions

A. The sum of $500,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2024-2025 to the Arizona board of regents to administer a dual enrollment instructor scholarship program.  The appropriation made in this subsection is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations, except that all unexpended and unencumbered monies remaining on July 1, 2027 revert to the state general fund.

B. In fiscal years 2024-2025, 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, the Arizona board of regents shall use the monies appropriated in subsection A of this section to award scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis to provide scholarships to eligible teachers who are seeking to become dual enrollment instructors.

C. The Arizona board of regents may award a scholarship to an eligible teacher for up to the actual costs of an educational or training program that satisfies the requirements adopted by a higher learning commission for dual enrollment instructors. The amount of scholarship monies awarded pursuant to this subsection may not exceed the teacher's actual costs minus other financial gifts, aid or grants received by the teacher.

D. On or before ____, 2024 and each year thereafter, the Arizona board of regents shall submit a report to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and the governor and shall provide a copy of the report to the secretary of state that includes all of the following for the previous school year:

1. The statewide number of applicants for dual enrollment instructor scholarships.

2. The names of each school district and charter school that employs eligible teachers who received or applied for dual enrollment instructor scholarships.

3. The average amount of scholarship monies awarded for the state.

E. This section is repealed from and after December 31, 2028.

F. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Eligible teacher" means a certificated teacher who is currently employed by a school district or charter school in this state if both of the following apply:

(a) The school district or charter school that employs the teacher does not offer dual enrollment courses on or before the date on which the teacher enrolls in the educational or training program.

(b) At least seventy-five percent of the students who are enrolled in the school district or charter school that employs the teacher are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.

2. "Higher learning commission" means a higher learning commission that accredits degree-granting postsecondary education institutions in the north central region, including this state.