ARC 6136C
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY[261]
Adopted and Filed
Rule making related to STEM BEST appropriation
The Economic Development Authority hereby adopts new Chapter 15, “STEM BEST Appropriation,” Iowa Administrative Code.
Legal Authority for Rule Making
This rule making is adopted 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 new Chapter 15 outlines the transfer of appropriated funds from the Authority to UNI. The chapter allows funds to be used for grant awards made in accordance with published guidance as well as program recruitment and applicant support.
Public Comment and Changes to Rule Making
Notice of Intended Action for this rule making was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on October 20, 2021, as ARC 5983C. No public comments were received. No changes from the Notice have been made.
Adoption of Rule Making
This rule making was adopted by the Authority Board on December 17, 2021.
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.
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).
Effective Date
This rule making will become effective on February 16, 2022.
The following rule-making action is adopted:
	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.
[Filed 12/17/21, effective 2/16/22]
[Published 1/12/22]
Editor’s Note: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 1/12/22.