76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2012 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 251
 
                         House Bill 4056
 
Introduced and printed pursuant to House Rule 12.00. Presession
  filed (at the request of House Interim Committee on Higher
  Education)
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Establishes Task Force on STEM Access and Success for purpose
of encouraging students to study science, technology, engineering
and mathematics.
  Sunsets task force on date of convening of 2013 regular session
of Legislative Assembly.
  Establishes STEM Fund for purpose of providing scholarships to
encourage students to study science, technology, engineering and
mathematics.
  Declares emergency, effective on passage.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to the Task Force on STEM Access and Success;
  appropriating money; and declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) The Task Force on STEM Access and Success
is established for the purpose of encouraging students to study
science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
  (2) The task force shall consist of seven members appointed as
follows:
  (a) The President of the Senate shall appoint one member from
among the members of the Senate.
  (b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint
one member from among the members of the House of
Representatives.
  (c) The Governor shall appoint the following five members:
  (A) One member who represents industry involved in science,
technology, engineering or mathematics;
  (B) One member who represents kindergarten through grade 12
education;
  (C) One member who represents post-secondary education;
  (D) One member who represents the Oregon Student Access
Commission; and
  (E) One member who represents the Engineering and Technology
Industry Council.
  (3) The task force shall:
  (a) Identify obstacles to success for students in the areas of
science, technology, engineering and mathematics and recommend
strategies for removing those obstacles;
 
  (b) Identify opportunities for improving coordination among
existing programs for students involving science, technology,
engineering and mathematics;
  (c) Assess the status of education in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics at the public and private
kindergarten through grade 12 schools and post-secondary schools
of this state;
  (d) Identify existing and recommend new programs that build
student skills in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics and that encourage students to become involved in
careers related to science, technology, engineering and
mathematics;
  (e) Recommend strategies that allow students in low-income and
underrepresented populations to have access to, and success in,
science, technology, engineering and mathematics;
  (f) Assess and make recommendations for improving the way that
students transition from high school to post-secondary school and
from community college to public or private university, with
emphasis on transitioning skills and learning related to science,
technology, engineering and mathematics;
  (g) Identify strategies for encouraging mentorships and
internships in, and partnerships with, industries involved in
science, technology, engineering and mathematics;
  (h) Identify existing and recommend new funding sources to
support programs for students in science, technology, engineering
and mathematics and to provide scholarships that attract students
to, and retain students in, science, technology, engineering and
mathematics; and
  (i) Find ways to engage families and communities in the support
of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.
  (4) A majority of the voting members of the task force
constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
  (5) Official action by the task force requires the approval of
a majority of the voting members of the task force.
  (6) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as
chairperson.
  (7) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing
authority shall make an appointment to become immediately
effective.
  (8) The task force shall meet at times and places specified by
the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the voting
members of the task force.
  (9) The task force may adopt rules necessary for the operation
of the task force.
  (10) The task force shall submit a report, and may include
recommendations for legislation, to the interim legislative
committees on education no later than October 1, 2012.
  (11) The Legislative Administration Committee shall provide
staff support to the task force.
  (12) Members of the task force who are not members of the
Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation, but may be
reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and other expenses
incurred by them in the performance of their official duties in
the manner and amounts provided for in ORS 292.495. Claims for
expenses incurred in performing functions of the task force shall
be paid out of funds appropriated to the Legislative
Administration Committee.
  (13) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS
174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance
of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to
confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the
members of the task force consider necessary to perform their
duties. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + Section 1 of this 2012 Act is repealed on the
date of the convening of the 2013 regular session of the
Legislative Assembly as specified in ORS 171.010. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + (1) The STEM Fund is established in the State
Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest
earned by the STEM Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in
the STEM Fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Student
Access Commission for the purpose of providing scholarships to
students to encourage study in science, technology, engineering
and mathematics.
  (2) The Oregon Student Access Commission may accept grants,
donations, contributions or gifts from any source for deposit in
the STEM Fund. + }
  SECTION 4.  { + This 2012 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2012 Act takes effect on
passage. + }
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