Establishes the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology ("FIRST") robotics competition and appropriates funds for the grant program to fund high school participation in the competition and to encourage study in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
STATE OF NEW YORK
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5736
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 14, 2017
___________
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:
1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3641-c
2 to read as follows:
3 § 3641-c. For inspiration and recognition of science and technology
4 robotics league participation ("FIRST") grant program. 1. The commis-
5 sioner shall establish the FIRST grant program and the FIRST robotics
6 competition pursuant to this section and regulations of the commissioner
7 adopted for such purpose. Within the amounts appropriated for this
8 purpose, the commissioner shall award grants on a competitive basis to
9 public and private high schools for the purpose of encouraging study in
10 the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.
11 2. Eligibility. a. Applicants must be a public or private high school
12 in the state that has a school sponsored robotics club or a team partic-
13 ipating, or intending to participate, in a FIRST robotics competition.
14 b. Applicants must establish a partnership for the purposes of design-
15 ing, building and/or programming the team's robot with at least one
16 other sponsor, which shall be a business, institution of higher learning
17 or technological school.
18 3. Applications. Applications must be submitted to the commissioner by
19 June first of each year for grants to be made for the following academic
20 year. All grants shall be subject to the applicant obtaining matching
21 funds from other sources of at least fifty percent of the grant.
22 4. Awards. a. The commissioner shall grant awards in the amount of
23 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.
LBD08259-01-7
A. 5736 2
1 sion two of this section. Awards shall be within the amounts appropri-
2 ated for such purpose and based on availability of funds.
3 b. Preference shall be given to schools that have not previously
4 participated in robotics competitions or received grants through this
5 program, on a first-come first-served basis, and if there are funds
6 remaining thereafter to other previously established programs.
7 c. Funds awarded under this grant shall be used for: registration
8 costs; materials; travel costs; and other expenses associated with the
9 preparation for, and attendance at, FIRST robotics competitions.
10 d. Additional grants shall also be made pursuant to such other rules
11 and regulations as may be promulgated by the commissioner.
12 § 2. The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or so much thereof
13 as may be available, is hereby appropriated to the department of educa-
14 tion from any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to the
15 credit of the state purposes account, not otherwise appropriated, and
16 made immediately available, for the purpose of carrying out the
17 provisions of this act. Such moneys shall be payable on the audit and
18 warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by the
19 commissioner of education in the manner prescribed by law.
20 § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
21 it shall have become a law; provided however, that effective immediate-
22 ly, the addition, amendment, and/or repeal of any rule or regulation
23 necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are
24 authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such date.