The bill establishes a grant program aimed at supporting high school robotics teams in Minnesota. The commissioner of education is tasked with creating a competitive grant program that allows school districts and charter schools to apply for funding. Eligible uses of the grant money include operational costs for robotics programs, stipends for coaches, and expenses related to competitions. The commissioner will oversee the grant application process, requiring a program budget and planned uses of the funds from applicants.
Additionally, the bill mandates that the commissioner submit a report to legislative committees detailing the grant recipients and their planned activities. Each grant recipient is also required to report back on the outcomes of their funded activities, specifically how the robotics program contributes to the college and career readiness of participants. The bill includes appropriations from the general fund to support these grants for designated fiscal years.