AZ HB2724

Appropriates $3,000,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2023-2024 to the Arizona Commerce Authority for a STEM learning and workforce development grant program.

Grant program prioritizes rural and semirural areas and funds STEM networks and hubs including schools, universities, museums, science centers, and community organizations.

Appropriation is exempt from lapsing provisions and the legislature intends it to be considered ongoing funding in future years.

Authority must use the U.S. Department of Agriculture's rural-urban continuum codes to categorize areas, designating codes 6-10 as rural and codes 3-5 as semirural.

Arizona Commerce Authority must submit a report to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House by December 31, 2023 detailing the distribution of grant monies.