S.B. 105

1

ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
2 INITIATIVE AMENDMENTS
3 2009 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard
6 House Sponsor: Fred R Hunsaker
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill makes adjustments to the engineering and computer science initiative.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . modifies duties of the Technology Initiative Advisory Board;
14 . changes the engineering, computer science, and related technology student loan
15 program to a scholarship program; and
16 . makes technical changes.
17 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 53B-6-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
24 53B-6-105.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 210
25 53B-6-105.7, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
26
27 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

28 Section 1. Section 53B-6-105 is amended to read:
29 53B-6-105. Engineering and Computer Science Initiative.
30 (1) The Legislature recognizes that a significant increase in the number of engineering,
31 computer science, and related technology graduates from the state system of higher education is
32 required over the next several years to advance the intellectual, cultural, social, and economic
33 well-being of the state and its citizens.
34 (2) (a) (i) The State Board of Regents shall therefore develop, establish, and maintain
35 an Engineering and Computer Science Initiative within the state system of higher education to
36 double the number of graduates in engineering, computer science, and related technology by
37 2006 and triple the number of graduates by 2009.
38 (ii) The board shall make a rule in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
39 Administrative Rulemaking Act, providing the criteria for those fields of study that qualify as
40 "related technology" under this section and Sections 53B-6-105.7 and 53B-6-105.9 .
41 (b) The initiative shall include components that:
42 (i) improve the quality of instructional programs in engineering, computer science, and
43 related technology by providing supplemental monies for equipment purchases; and
44 (ii) provide incentives to:
45 (A) students through a [loan and loan forgiveness] scholarship program under Section
46 53B-6-105.7 ; and
47 (B) institutions to hire and retain faculty under Section 53B-6-105.9 .
48 (3) The increase in program capacity under Subsection (2)(a) shall include funding for
49 new and renovated capital facilities and funding for new engineering and computer science
50 programs.
51 (4) The Legislature shall provide an annual appropriation to fund the initiative as a
52 budget line item for the State Board of Regents.
53 Section 2. Section 53B-6-105.5 is amended to read:
54 53B-6-105.5. Technology Initiative Advisory Board -- Composition -- Duties.
55 (1) There is created a Technology Initiative Advisory Board to assist and make
56 recommendations to the State Board of Regents in its administration of the Engineering and
57 Computer Science Initiative established under Section 53B-6-105 .
58 (2) (a) The advisory board shall consist of individuals appointed by the governor from

59 business and industry who have expertise in the areas of engineering, computer science, and
60 related technologies.
61 (b) The advisory board shall select a chair and cochair.
62 (c) The advisory board shall meet at the call of the chair.
63 (d) The State Board of Regents, through the commissioner of higher education, shall
64 provide staff support for the advisory board.
65 (3) Members of the advisory board shall receive no compensation for their service on
66 the board, but may receive per diem and expenses incurred in the performance of their duties at
67 rates established by the Division of Finance under Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107 .
68 (4) The advisory board shall:
69 (a) make recommendations to the State Board of Regents on the allocation and
70 distribution of monies appropriated to fund:
71 (i) the faculty incentive program established in Section 53B-6-105.9 ; [and]
72 (ii) equipment purchases required to improve the quality of instructional programs in
73 engineering, computer science, and related technology; and
74 (iii) the scholarship program established in Section 53B-6-105.7 .
75 (b) prepare a strategic plan that details actions required by the State Board of Regents
76 to meet the intent of the Engineering and Technology Science Initiative;
77 (c) review and assess engineering, computer science, and related technology programs
78 currently being offered at higher education institutions and their impact on the economic
79 prosperity of the state;
80 (d) provide the State Board of Regents with an assessment and reporting plan that:
81 (i) measures results against expectations under the initiative, including verification of
82 the matching requirements for institutions of higher education to receive monies under Section
83 53B-6-105.9 ; and
84 (ii) includes an analysis of market demand for technical employment, program
85 articulation among higher education institutions in engineering, computer science, and related
86 technology, tracking of student placement, student admission to the initiative program by
87 region, transfer rates, and retention in and graduation rates from the initiative program; and
88 (e) make an annual report of its activities to the State Board of Regents, the Legislature
89 through the Education Interim Committee and the Higher Education Appropriations

90 Subcommittee, and the governor.
91 (5) The annual report of the Technology Initiative Advisory Board shall include the
92 summary report of the institutional matches described in Section 53B-6-105.9 .
93 Section 3. Section 53B-6-105.7 is amended to read:
94 53B-6-105.7. Initiative student scholarship program.
95 (1) (a) There is established an engineering, computer science, and related technology
96 [student loan] scholarship program as a component of the initiative created in Section
97 53B-6-105 .
98 (b) The program is established to recruit, retain, and train engineering, computer
99 science, and related technology students to assist in providing for and advancing the intellectual
100 and economic welfare of the state.
101 (2) (a) The board:
102 (i) may make rules for the overall administration of the scholarship program in
103 accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
104 (ii) shall administer the program [consistent with the general student loan provisions
105 outlined in Title 53B] in consultation with the Technology Initiative Advisory Board created in
106 Section 53B-6-105.5 .
107 (b) The board shall also use the following policies and procedures in administering the
108 student [loan] scholarship program:
109 (i) students may use [their loans] scholarship monies at any institution within the state
110 system of higher education that offers an engineering, computer science, or related technology
111 [baccalaureate] degree;
112 (ii) [loans] scholarships shall be given to students who declare an intent to complete a
113 prescribed course of instruction in one of the areas referred to in Subsection (2)(b)(i) and to
114 work in the state [for a period of four years] after graduation in one of those areas; and
115 (iii) a [loan] scholarship may be cancelled at any time by the institution of attendance,
116 if the student fails to make reasonable progress towards obtaining the [baccalaureate] degree or
117 there appears to be a reasonable certainty that the student does not intend to work in the state
118 upon graduation[, and the board shall require repayment together with interest; and].
119 [(iv) (A) a loan recipient who does not work in the state in one of the areas listed in
120 Subsection (1)(a) for a term equal to the number of years of the loan within a reasonable period

121 of time after graduation shall repay a graduated portion of the loan based upon the uncompleted
122 term together with appropriate interest, unless waived for good cause; and]
123 [(B) one year of employment as an engineer or in the field of computer science or
124 related technologies is credit for a one-year loan for tuition and fees.]
125 (3) (a) By June 1 of each year, the Technology Initiative Advisory Board shall
126 recommend to the board a distribution of the scholarship funds to institutions in the state
127 system of higher education, based on a formula.
128 (b) The Technology Initiative Advisory Board shall develop the formula for
129 distribution of total scholarship funds to the institutions, which shall contain the following
130 components:
131 (i) the number of graduates of engineering, computer science, and related technology
132 degrees from the previous year;
133 (ii) the number and level of engineering, computer science, and related technology
134 degrees offered at an institution; and
135 (iii) the length of each engineering, computer science, and related technology degree
136 offered at an institution.
137 [(3)] (4) The Legislature shall make an annual appropriation to the board to fund the
138 student [loan] scholarship program created in this section.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-12-09 10:40 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel