AZ HB2650

Appropriates $50,000,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2023-2024 to the Arizona Commerce Authority for a battery integration and research center grant program.

Authority shall award the grant to an Arizona Board of Regents university to construct and operate a research facility focused on battery materials research, cell design, and manufacturing processes at less than two gigawatt-hours per year capacity.

Grant recipient must have demonstrated experience operating a large-scale research facility focused on microelectronics and advanced manufacturing with clean room facilities, wet and dry labs, and existing private sector partners or tenants.

Grant recipient must identify private industry partners for collaboration and demonstrate additional financial resources from non-state sources.

Grant monies may be used for constructing, equipping, and managing the research center, and the appropriation is exempt from lapsing provisions.