S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   1219
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              January 7, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. BRONSON -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee on Education
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing  the  For
   Inspiration  and Recognition of Science and Technology ("FIRST") grant
   program; and making an appropriation therefor

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3641-c
 to read as follows:
   §  3641-C.  FOR  INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
 ROBOTICS LEAGUE PARTICIPATION ("FIRST") GRANT PROGRAM.  1.  THE  COMMIS-
 SIONER  SHALL  ESTABLISH  THE FIRST GRANT PROGRAM AND THE FIRST ROBOTICS
 COMPETITION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER
 ADOPTED FOR SUCH PURPOSE.  WITHIN  THE  AMOUNTS  APPROPRIATED  FOR  THIS
 PURPOSE,  THE  COMMISSIONER SHALL AWARD GRANTS ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS TO
 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING STUDY  IN
 THE FIELDS OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH.
   2.  ELIGIBILITY. A. APPLICANTS MUST BE A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL
 IN THE STATE THAT HAS A SCHOOL SPONSORED ROBOTICS CLUB OR A TEAM PARTIC-
 IPATING, OR INTENDING TO PARTICIPATE, IN A FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION.
   B. APPLICANTS MUST ESTABLISH A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE PURPOSES OF DESIGN-
 ING, BUILDING AND/OR PROGRAMMING THE TEAM'S  ROBOT  WITH  AT  LEAST  ONE
 OTHER SPONSOR, WHICH SHALL BE A BUSINESS, INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING
 OR TECHNOLOGICAL SCHOOL.
   3. APPLICATIONS. APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSIONER BY
 JUNE FIRST OF EACH YEAR FOR GRANTS TO BE MADE FOR THE FOLLOWING ACADEMIC
 YEAR.  ALL  GRANTS  SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPLICANT OBTAINING MATCHING
 FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES OF AT LEAST FIFTY PERCENT OF THE GRANT.
   4. AWARDS. A. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL GRANT AWARDS  IN  THE  AMOUNT  OF
 FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO SCHOOLS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE, PURSUANT TO SUBDIVI-
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD05170-01-1
              

 A. 1219                             2
 
 SION  TWO  OF THIS SECTION. AWARDS SHALL BE WITHIN THE AMOUNTS APPROPRI-
 ATED FOR SUCH PURPOSE AND BASED ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
   B.  PREFERENCE  SHALL  BE  GIVEN  TO  SCHOOLS THAT HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY
 PARTICIPATED IN ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS OR RECEIVED  GRANTS  THROUGH  THIS
 PROGRAM,  ON  A  FIRST-COME  FIRST-SERVED  BASIS, AND IF THERE ARE FUNDS
 REMAINING THEREAFTER TO OTHER PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED PROGRAMS.
   C. FUNDS AWARDED UNDER THIS GRANT SHALL BE  USED  FOR:    REGISTRATION
 COSTS;  MATERIALS;  TRAVEL COSTS; AND OTHER EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE
 PREPARATION FOR, AND ATTENDANCE AT, FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS.
   D. ADDITIONAL GRANTS SHALL ALSO BE MADE PURSUANT TO SUCH  OTHER  RULES
 AND REGULATIONS AS MAY BE PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   § 2. The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or so much thereof
 as  may be available, is hereby appropriated to the department of educa-
 tion from any moneys in the state treasury in the general  fund  to  the
 credit  of  the  state purposes account, not otherwise appropriated, and
 made  immediately  available,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the
 provisions  of  this  act. Such moneys shall be payable on the audit and
 warrant of the comptroller on vouchers  certified  or  approved  by  the
 commissioner of education in the manner prescribed by law.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
 it  shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
 ment, and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for  the  imple-
 mentation  of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed
 to be made and completed on or before such date.