S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
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4349
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
February 10, 2017
___________
Introduced by Sen. TEDISCO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the education law, the state finance law and the tax
law, in relation to increasing educational opportunities in the fields
of math, science and technology or any high-tech field; and making an
appropriation therefor
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
the "New Edison Project Act".
§ 2. Legislative intent. Today, Americans are feeling the far-reaching
effects of economic globalization and the loss of the American
distinction as the leader in technological innovation. While there is
recognition throughout the United States from academic, political and
business leaders of the nature of the problem, solutions appear both
varied and isolated. Only recently has government been compelled to put
forth legislative efforts.
Here in New York, we have made great efforts to cultivate a new gener-
ation of high tech business, and we have marketed these emerging efforts
with names such as Tech Valley and Silicon Alley. If we are to continue
to build a future for New York as a technological center for innovation
and science, we must be committed to cultivating a new generation of
scientists.
The New Edison Project does not rely on a single decision-making
factor to influence a student's career choice, but instead employs a
broad range of programs that seek to influence and inspire a generation
of high school and college students.
§ 3. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding two new
subdivisions 56 and 57 to read as follows:
56. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DEVELOP GUIDELINES BY WHICH SCHOOL
DISTRICTS MAY ESTABLISH HIGH SCHOOLS OFFERING ADVANCED CURRICULA OF THE
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06361-01-7
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SCIENCES. SUCH SCHOOLS WOULD BE EITHER DISTINCT HIGH SCHOOLS OR PROGRAMS
WITHIN HIGH SCHOOLS DISTRIBUTED REGIONALLY THROUGHOUT THE STATE WHICH
PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH ENRICHED MATH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CURRICULA.
EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING SHALL SUBMIT AN APPLI-
CATION TO THE DEPARTMENT SETTING FORTH ITS PLAN FOR ADVANCED CURRICULUM.
SIX SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL BE ACCEPTED FOR ADVANCED CURRICULUM FUNDING
OF UP TO ONE MILLION DOLLARS EACH IN ADDITION TO TRADITIONAL SCHOOL AID.
57. TO PROPERLY ACQUAINT THE PUBLIC WITH THE IMPORTANCE OF THE
PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION FIFTY-SIX OF THIS SECTION, THE COMMISSIONER,
WITH APPROPRIATE CONSULTATION, SHALL ESTABLISH A CELEBRITY MEDIA
CAMPAIGN WHEREBY CELEBRITIES OF TELEVISION, FILM AND THE SCIENCES ARE
INVOLVED TO DRAW ATTENTION TO MATH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CAREER PATHS.
THIS CAMPAIGN WILL ALSO BE AIMED AT PARENTS OF POTENTIAL STUDENTS OF THE
ADVANCED CURRICULUM.
§ 4. The education law is amended by adding a new section 667-b to
read as follows:
§ 667-B. SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAM FOR MATH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAJORS.
ANY FULL TIME STUDENT ENTERING HIS OR HER SOPHOMORE YEAR WHO IS ENROLLED
IN A MATH, SCIENCE OR TECHNOLOGY MAJOR, AND WHO IS A RECIPIENT OF
TUITION ASSISTANCE PURSUANT TO SECTION SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN OF THIS
SUBPART, SHALL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL SUM OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS TOWARD
TUITION.
§ 5. The education law is amended by adding a new section 669-h to
read as follows:
§ 669-H. ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES IN THE FIELDS OF MATH, SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY. IN ADDITION TO THE INCENTIVES TOWARD A TEACHING CAREER
PURSUANT TO SECTION SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-NINE-D OF THIS SUBPART, THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL SELECT UP TO FIVE HUNDRED FULL TIME STUDENTS WHO ARE
MAJORING IN MATH, SCIENCE OR TECHNOLOGY OR ANY OTHER HIGH-TECHNOLOGY
FIELD THAT THE COMMISSIONER DEEMS APPROPRIATE, TO RECEIVE LOAN FORGIVE-
NESS OF TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS PER YEAR FOR UP TO FIVE YEARS PROVIDED EACH
SUCH STUDENT AGREES IN WRITING TO WORKING WITHIN THIS STATE FOR AT LEAST
FIVE YEARS AFTER GRADUATION IN AN APPROPRIATE FIELD OF MATH, SCIENCE OR
TECHNOLOGY OR ANY OTHER HIGH-TECHNOLOGY FIELD THAT THE COMMISSIONER
DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
§ 6. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 89-i to
read as follows:
§ 89-I. MICROSCOPE FUND. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE JOINT
CUSTODY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXATION AND FINANCE AND THE COMPTROLLER,
A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "MICROSCOPE FUND".
2. SUCH FUND SHALL CONSIST OF ALL REVENUES RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF TAXATION AND FINANCE FROM GRANTS, CONTRIBUTIONS, DONATIONS AND ALL
OTHER MONEYS CREDITED OR TRANSFERRED THERETO FROM ANY OTHER FUND OR
SOURCE PURSUANT TO LAW. THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION SHALL ESTABLISH A
LOW INTEREST LOAN FUND, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY A PRIVATE FINANCIAL CORPO-
RATION. SUCH FUND SHALL PROVIDE UP TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS PER HIGH
SCHOOL GRANTED A LOW INTEREST LOAN PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. HIGH
SCHOOLS SHALL QUALIFY FOR SUCH A LOAN BASED ON CRITERIA TO BE DETERMINED
BY THE PRIVATE FINANCIAL CORPORATION ADMINISTERING THE LOAN FUND AND
PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO FUNDING FOR SPECIALIZED PROJECTS.
3. ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY EACH YEAR, THE COMPTROLLER
SHALL CERTIFY TO THE GOVERNOR, TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, SPEAK-
ER OF THE ASSEMBLY, MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE, MINORITY LEADER OF
THE ASSEMBLY, CHAIR OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, RANKING MINORITY
MEMBER OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY WAYS AND
MEANS COMMITTEE AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY WAYS AND
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MEANS COMMITTEE, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY DEPOSITED IN SUCH FUND DURING THE
PRECEDING CALENDAR YEAR.
4. MONEYS IN SUCH FUND SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE AND SHALL NOT BE COMMIN-
GLED WITH ANY OTHER MONEYS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXA-
TION AND FINANCE AND THE COMPTROLLER.
5. ALL PAYMENTS FROM SUCH FUND SHALL BE MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
TAXATION AND FINANCE AFTER AUDIT AND WARRANT OF THE COMPTROLLER ON
VOUCHERS APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION.
§ 7. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 89-j to
read as follows:
§ 89-J. FOUNDATION FUND. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE JOINT
CUSTODY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXATION AND FINANCE AND THE COMPTROLLER,
A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "FOUNDATION FUND".
2. SUCH FUND SHALL CONSIST OF ALL REVENUES RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, FROM MONEYS APPROPRIATED, CREDITED, OR TRANS-
FERRED THERETO FROM ANY OTHER FUND OR SOURCE PURSUANT TO LAW. NOTHING
CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL PREVENT THE STATE FROM RECEIVING GRANTS,
GIFTS OR BEQUESTS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE FUND AS DEFINED IN THIS
SECTION AND DEPOSITING THEM INTO SUCH FUND ACCORDING TO LAW.
3. ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY EACH YEAR, THE COMPTROLLER
SHALL CERTIFY TO THE GOVERNOR, TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, SPEAK-
ER OF THE ASSEMBLY, MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE, MINORITY LEADER OF
THE ASSEMBLY, CHAIR OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, RANKING MINORITY
MEMBER OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY WAYS AND
MEANS COMMITTEE AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY WAYS AND
MEANS COMMITTEE, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY DEPOSITED IN SUCH FUND.
4. MONEYS IN SUCH FUND SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE AND SHALL NOT BE COMMIN-
GLED WITH ANY OTHER MONEYS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXA-
TION AND FINANCE AND THE COMPTROLLER.
5. ALL PAYMENTS FROM SUCH FUND SHALL BE MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
TAXATION AND FINANCE AFTER AUDIT AND WARRANT OF THE COMPTROLLER ON
VOUCHERS APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION.
6. THE MONIES FROM THIS FUND SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED BY THE COMMISSIONER
OF EDUCATION TO GRADUATE STUDENTS IN ALL SECTORS TO PURSUE SCIENTIFIC
RESEARCH RELATED TO THEIR GRADUATE OR DOCTORAL STUDIES. EACH GRADUATE
STUDENT, SELECTED USING CRITERIA TO BE ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION, SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE UP TO TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.
SUCH AWARD SHALL BE TO HELP SUCH STUDENTS SECURE INCUBATOR SPACE AND PAY
FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF SCIENTIFIC
PROTOTYPES. SUCH AWARDS SHALL BE GRANTED ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS AND
SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS ONLY ONCE.
§ 8. Section 210-B of the tax law is amended by adding a new subdivi-
sion 52 to read as follows:
52. MICROSCOPE FUND TAX CREDIT. A TAXPAYER SHALL BE ALLOWED A CREDIT
AGAINST THE TAX IMPOSED BY THIS ARTICLE. THE AMOUNT OF THE CREDIT SHALL
BE EQUAL TO FIFTY PERCENT OF THE SUM OF THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENTS AND
CONTRIBUTIONS MADE DURING THE TAXABLE YEAR AND CERTIFIED BY THE COMMIS-
SIONER OF EDUCATION FOR TAXABLE YEARS BEGINNING ON AND AFTER JANUARY
FIRST, TWO THOUSAND EIGHTEEN, CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE FORM OF DONATIONS
MADE TO THE MICROSCOPE FUND ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION
EIGHTY-NINE-I OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW. THE AMOUNT OF SUCH CREDIT ALLOW-
ABLE TO A TAXPAYER UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL NOT EXCEED TWENTY-FIVE
THOUSAND DOLLARS.
§ 9. The commissioner of education shall create and sponsor a science
fair intended to lead the nation in participation and prizes awarded.
Such fair shall be designed to challenge and inspire the state's bright-
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est and most inventive high school students to attempt to solve a timely
societal challenge, such as our reliance on fossil fuels. After the
challenge is announced in September, each participating high school will
have six months to solve the problem and host a science fair to be held
by February, qualifying one team for the regional competition. The team
will win a $2,500 award to aid with additional costs of the project and
travel expenses. Each award shall be presented by the school's state
senate representative and assembly representative. Each winning team
will then compete in one of 10 regional competitions. Each region shall
qualify the three top teams to compete in the final state competition to
be held in Albany in the spring. The awards for the 30 teams competing
in the final:
First Place: The New Edison Medal presented by the governor, $500,000
to the winning high school, $5,000 to each team member to be used for
attending a New York state college, and an agreement that seventy-five
percent of the award to the school be used to improve math, science and
technology programs at the school.
Second Place: $50,000 for the high school, $2,000 for each team member
to be used for attending a New York state college, and an agreement that
seventy-five percent of the award to the school be used to improve math,
science and technology programs at the school.
Third Place and Fourth Place: $10,000 for the high school, and $500
for each team member to be used for attending a New York state college.
§ 10. Commission on science, math and technology. 1. There is hereby
established a temporary state commission on science, math and technolo-
gy. The commission shall investigate and make recommendations regarding
strengthening science, math and technology education throughout the
state; including, but not limited to, identifying ways to utilize guid-
ance counselors as a means of encouraging careers and activities for
grades six through twelve that are geared toward math, science and tech-
nology.
2. The commission shall report each year to the governor, temporary
president of the senate, minority leader of the senate, speaker of the
assembly and the minority leader of the assembly as to engaging elemen-
tary school children in the study of math, science and technology; iden-
tifying internships and fellowships for middle school through college
age students in high-tech areas; and designing curriculum for kindergar-
ten through twelve and higher education in the science, math and tech-
nology areas.
3. The commissioner of education or his or her designee shall chair
the commission. In addition, the governor shall appoint three members;
one representative of private schools, one representative of public
schools and one representative of private industry, the temporary presi-
dent of the senate, the speaker of the assembly and the comptroller
shall each appoint one member of the commission.
4. The members of the commission shall not be compensated for their
service but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses
in providing such service.
5. The department of education and any other state agency shall, if
called upon, provide the members with cooperation, information and staff
support.
§ 11. The sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000), or so much thereof
as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the foundation fund from
any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to the credit of
the state purposes account not otherwise appropriated for the purposes
of carrying out the provisions of section seven of this act. Such sum
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shall be payable on the audit and warrant of the state comptroller on
vouchers certified or approved by the commissioner of education, or his
or her duly designated representative in the manner provided by law. No
expenditure shall be made from this appropriation until a certificate of
approval of availability shall have been issued by the director of the
budget and filed with the state comptroller and a copy filed with the
chairman of the senate finance committee and the chairman of the assem-
bly ways and means committee. Such certificate may be amended from time
to time by the director of the budget and a copy of each such amendment
shall be filed with the state comptroller, the chairman of the senate
finance committee and the chairman of the assembly ways and means
committee.
§ 12. This act shall take effect January 1, 2018. The commissioner of
education shall immediately develop necessary guidelines and promulgate
necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this act
on or before such effective date.
