ARC 5983C

ARC 5983C

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY[261]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to STEM BEST appropriation

and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Economic Development Authority hereby proposes to adopt a new Chapter 15, "STEM BEST Appropriation," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in 2021 Iowa Acts, House File 871.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, 2021 Iowa Acts, House File 871.

Purpose and Summary

The STEM BEST Program is administered by the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) on behalf of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council. Pursuant to 2021 Iowa Acts, House File 871, $700,000 is appropriated to the Authority for the program and the Authority is directed to adopt rules to establish criteria for the distribution of the appropriated funds.

The proposed new Chapter 15 outlines the transfer of appropriated funds from the Authority to UNI. The chapter would allow funds to be used for grant awards made in accordance with published guidance as well as program recruitment and applicant support.

Fiscal Impact

This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa beyond the impact of the legislation implemented.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Authority for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 261—Chapter 199.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written or oral comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Authority no later than 4:30 p.m.on November 9, 2021. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

No public hearing is scheduled at this time. As provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)"b," an oral presentation regarding this rule making may be demanded by 25 interested persons, a governmental subdivision, the Administrative Rules Review Committee, an agency, or an association having 25 or more members.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rule-making action is proposed:

Adopt the following new 261—Chapter 15:

CHAPTER 15

STEM BEST APPROPRIATION

261—15.1(89GA,HF871) Purpose. The authority is directed to adopt rules to establish criteria for the distribution of funds appropriated in 2021 Iowa Acts, House File 871, section 3, subsection 11, to the STEM BEST program.

261—15.2(89GA,HF871) Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Authority" means the economic development authority created in Iowa Code section 15.105.

"Council" means the Iowa governor's STEM advisory council operated pursuant to Executive Order 74 dated July 26, 2011, and Executive Order 81 dated May 15, 2013.

"Program administrator" means the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics collaborative initiative established at the university of northern Iowa pursuant to Iowa Code section 268.7.

"STEM BEST program" or "program" means the grant program overseen by the council and program administrator to support curriculum development by K-12 schools and industry professionals to prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) or a related field.

261—15.3(89GA,HF871) Eligible uses of funds. Funds appropriated to the authority for the STEM BEST program shall be transferred to the program administrator to fund grant awards. Awards shall be made in accordance with program guidance established by the council and program administrator. The program guidance is published at www.iowastem.org. Funds may also be used for program recruitment and applicant support.

These rules are intended to implement 2021 Iowa Acts, House File 871.