Revision: Jan. 31, 2013, midnight
HB 643-FN – AS INTRODUCED
2013 SESSION
04/10
HOUSE BILL 643-FN
AN ACT establishing a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics scholars program.
This bill establishes a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) scholars program to be administered by the university system of New Hampshire board of trustees to provide partial scholarships to students pursuing either a 2-year or 4-year degree in a STEM field at a public postsecondary educational institution in New Hampshire who agree to work in New Hampshire after graduation in a STEM field for a minimum of 5 years.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
13-0707
04/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Thirteen
AN ACT establishing a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics scholars program.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; University System of New Hampshire; Board of Trustees. Amend RSA 187-A:16 by inserting after paragraph XXIII the following new paragraph:
XXIV. Administer, at no cost to the state, all aspects of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) scholars program established in RSA 200-N.
2 New Chapter; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Scholars Program. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 200-M the following new chapter:
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND
MATHEMATICS (STEM) SCHOLARS PROGRAM
200-N:1 Program Established. There is hereby established the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) scholars program which shall be administered by the university system of New Hampshire board of trustees. The purpose of this program is to provide partial scholarships to students pursuing either a 2-year or 4-year degree in a STEM field at a public postsecondary educational institution in New Hampshire who agree to work in New Hampshire after graduation in a STEM field for a minimum of 5 years. All funds received pursuant to this chapter shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the university system of New Hampshire for the purposes of this program.
200-N:2 Program Criteria.
I. Any student attending a public or private high school in New Hampshire who is interested in pursuing either a 2-year or 4-year degree in a STEM field at any public postsecondary educational institution in New Hampshire and whose family income is less than 200 percent of the state median family income based on the most recent calculations by the United States Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, shall be eligible to apply for this program. An eligible student shall submit an application to the university system of New Hampshire board of trustees, on a form developed by the board of trustees.
II. Applicants who are selected to receive a scholarship under this program shall receive a scholarship for 75 percent of applicable tuition and academic fees at an institution in the university system of New Hampshire, and 100 percent of applicable tuition and academic fees at an institution in the community college system of New Hampshire. The scholarship shall be for a maximum of 4 academic years.
III. Applicants selected to receive a scholarship under this program shall complete an internship requirement in a STEM field as provided by the university system of New Hampshire board of trustees and shall agree to work in New Hampshire after graduation in a STEM field for at least 5 years.
200-N:3 STEM Scholars Fund Established. There is hereby established in the office of the state treasurer a fund to be known as the STEM scholars fund. The fund shall include any sums appropriated for such purpose. In addition, the university system of New Hampshire board of trustees may accept public sector and private sector grants, gifts, or donations of any kind for the purpose of funding the provisions of this chapter. The moneys in this fund shall be nonlapsing and shall be continually appropriated to the higher education commission. The fund may be expended by the university system of New Hampshire board of trustees to award partial scholarships to selected students pursuing studies in a STEM field in accordance with this chapter. The state treasurer may invest moneys in the fund as provided by law, with interest received on such investment credited to the fund.
200-N:4 Rulemaking. The university system board of trustees shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the following:
I. Establishing a definition of the specific disciplines in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that constitute acceptable STEM fields and a definition of the specific types of employment that would qualify as STEM employment.
II. Instituting a scholarship application process, which includes but is not limited to requiring that all applicants complete a formal scholarship application on appropriate forms to be developed by the board of trustees and time frames for the application process.
III. Procedures for awarding and disbursing scholarships.
IV. Procedures for determining the amount of funds available to provide annual scholarships.
V. Establishing a procedure requiring students accepting a scholarship under this program to sign an agreement to work in New Hampshire after graduation in a STEM field for a minimum of 5 years. Such agreement shall clearly set forth the terms of the 5-year commitment and the repayment obligation incurred by the student if the 5-year commitment is not fulfilled.
VI. A procedure for tracking students in the program and for tracking graduates of the program to ensure the conditions of the program are fulfilled.
VII. Rules establishing the terms of the repayment obligation if the student fails to work in New Hampshire for the required 5 years
VIII. Any other issue which the board deems relevant to the implementation and administration of the scholarship program.
3 New Subparagraph; Application of Receipts; STEM Scholars Fund. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (310) the following new subparagraph:
(311) Moneys deposited in the STEM scholars fund established in RSA 200-N:3.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
LBAO
13-0707
01/29/13
HB 643-FN – FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT establishing a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics scholars program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to complete a fiscal note for this bill, as introduced, as it is awaiting information from the University System of New Hampshire. When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the House Clerk's Office.