1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; authorizing grants for robotics programs; requiring a report; 
1.3 	appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. ROBOTICS PROGRAM GRANTS; APPROPRIATION.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Grant program established. The commissioner of education must 
1.7 	establish a program to provide competitive grants to schools that provide pupils in 
1.8 	kindergarten through grade 12 with expanded opportunities to improve mathematics, science, 
1.9 	and technology skills by participating in events hosted by a science and technology 
1.10 	development program or other competitive robotics programs.
1.11 		Subd. 2.Eligibility; application. A school district, charter school, or home-based 
1.12 	educational program is eligible to apply for a grant under this section in the form and manner 
1.13 	determined by the commissioner.
1.14 		Subd. 3.Allowable uses. Grant funds may be used for:
1.15 	(1) operational costs for school robotics programs, including new and existing programs;
1.16 	(2) stipends for robotics program coaches, not to exceed $1,000 per applicant; and
1.17 	(3) robotics competition event registrations, materials, travel costs, and other expenses 
1.18 	associated with the preparation for and attendance at robotics events and competitions.
1.19 		Subd. 4.Administration. The commissioner shall award grants to qualified applicants. 
1.20 	Each grant application must include a program budget and planned allowable uses of grant 
1.21 	funds submitted as part of the grant application.
2.1 		Subd. 5.Report required. (a) By January 15, 2026, each grant recipient must submit 
2.2 	a report to the commissioner detailing the outcomes of the grant-funded activities, including 
2.3 	a description of how the robotics program enhances the college and career readiness of 
2.4 	participants.
2.5 	(b) By January 15, 2025, the commissioner of education must submit a written report 
2.6 	to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
2.7 	over kindergarten through grade 12 education. The report must identify the grant recipients 
2.8 	under this section and summarize the planned grant-funded activities of the grant recipients.
2.9 		Subd. 6.Appropriation. The sums indicated are appropriated from the general fund to 
2.10 	the commissioner of education for the fiscal years designated for grants to support 
2.11 	competitive robotics programs.

2.12 | | $ | ....... | ..... | 2024
2.13 | | $ | ....... | ..... | 2025