,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #ecag ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,august #f1 #bjbf,mr4 ,schatz 7for himself and ,mr4 ,padilla7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to enable schools serving grades #f through #ab that are located in rural areas or that serve ,native ,american students to remodel or build new facilities to provide ,,stem classrooms and laboratories and support high-speed internet1 to establish a program to support the modernization1 renovation1 or repair of career and technical education facilities1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,inspiring ,new ,,stem ,professionals by ,investing in ,renovation of ,education ,spaces ,act or the ,,inspires ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,technological advancement has increased the types of jobs available now and for the foreseeable future4 ,according to the ,bureau of ,labor ,statistics1 through #bjcd1 employers will be looking to fill an estimated #hgj1jjj openings for the top #aj occupations in the collective fields of science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics 7referred to in this section as ,,stem74 ,,stem jobs pay well2 ,,stem workers earn an average of #ee1ehj per year more than non-,,stem workers4 ,however1 projections suggest that the ,united ,states won't have enough skilled workers to fill ,,stem jobs4 7#b7 ,,stem skills and knowledge are now required in a wide range of occupations1 including many that are not traditionally considered to be science or engineering-related1 such as sustainable agriculture1 management of natural resources1 and health care4 7#c7 ,because of the growing use of ,,stem skills across all job sectors1 the distinction between a rural as compared to an urban job is blurring4 ,for instance1 renewable energy development and bio-based product manufacturing employ workers in a variety of areas of the ,united ,states4 ,known as the new collar economy1 the phenomenal growth in job opportunities for those who are prepared will also support the growth of communities3 places to raise families and invest in the future4 7#d7 ,good ,,stem experiences in middle school will lead to positive attitudes toward and expectations of ,,stem experiences in high school4 ,in the middle grades1 students begin to demonstrate formal logical operations 7critical thinking74 ,further1 middle school students have been shown to be highly susceptible to developing opinions about their competence and interest in ,,stem learning4 7#e7 ,providing students with additional time in after school and summer ,,stem programs allows students opportunities to engage in hands-on learning that sparks interest in ,,stem fields and careers4 ,students who engage in well-designed laboratory experiences develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills1 and gain exposure to reactions1 materials1 and equipment in a lab setting4 ,sustained investments in hands-on experiences help inspire students to further their education and prepare them for high-technology careers by fostering skills sought by potential employers4 ,hands-on experiences significantly advance learning at all levels of science education when appropriately designed and guided by qualified educators1 in a safe learning environment that is student-centered and curriculum-driven4 ,the classroom should contain enough resources1 space1 and storage to permit long-term multidisciplinary projects1 individual and small-group learning1 and inquiry and project-based learning4 7#f7 ,the ,united ,states has unique trust and treaty obligations to provide comprehensive quality educational opportunities to ,american ,indians1 ,alaska ,natives1 and ,native ,hawaiians and support ,native-serving schools4 ,however1 many ,native ,american students do not have equitable access to ,,stem educational opportunities4 ,surveys suggest that fewer than half of all ,american ,indian and ,alaska ,native public high school students have access to a full range of mathematics and science courses4 ,additionally1 schools serving ,native students frequently dismissed and devalued traditional ,,stem knowledge1 discouraging ,native student engagement in ,,stem areas4 ,as a result1 ,native ,americans receive only #j4e percent of ,,stem undergraduate degrees and account for only #j4c percent of the ,united ,states engineering workforce4 7#g7 ,to meet the challenge of educating youth to fulfill the demand for ,,stem workers1 public schools in the ,united ,states must be equipped to educate all youth in ,,stem skills1 especially youth who are underserved or socially disadvantaged4 7#h7 ,the median age of ,united ,states schools is #di years4 #ed percent of school buildings in the ,united ,states need significant repairs or upgrades1 including clean and safe classrooms and laboratory spaces1 up-to-date technology1 and broadband4 ,moreover1 the condition of school facilities has a measurable effect on student achievement4 7#i7 ,for all of these reasons1 the future workforce of the ,united ,states needs safe1 clean1 well-equipped school facilities where all students can reach their full potential and learn the knowledge and skills that place them on a secure pathway to enhance the capacity of the ,united ,states to compete globally4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,career and technical education ,the term career and technical education has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcjb74 7#b7 ,community college ,the term community college means a public institution of higher education at which the predominant degree awarded to students is an associate's degree1 including a #b-year ,tribal ,college or ,university as defined in section #caf7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c7b77 and a public #b-year ,state institution of higher education4 7#c7 ,educational service agency ,the term educational service agency has the meaning given the term in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#d7 ,eligible agency ,the term eligible agency means a local educational agency1 a consortium of local educational agencies1 or an educational service agency4 7#e7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 an eligible institution2 7,b7 a community college2 7,c7 a local educational agency or consortium of local educational agencies2 7,d7 an educational service agency2 7,e7 a ,tribal educational agency2 7,f7 an ,indian ,tribe2 7,g7 a ,tribal organization2 or 7,h7 another entity determined appropriate by the ,secretary4 7#f7 ,eligible institution ,the term eligible institution means any of the following3 7,a7 ,an ,alaska ,native-serving institution or a ,native ,hawaiian-serving institution 7as such terms are defined in section #cag7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;d7b7771 a ,native ,american-serving1 nontribal institution 7as defined in section #cai7;b7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;f7b7771 or an ,asian ,american and ,native ,american ,pacific ,islander-serving institution 7as defined in section #cbj7;b7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;g7b7774 7,b7 ,a ,tribal ,college or ,university1 as defined in section #caf7;b7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c7b774 7,c7 ,an #ahij ,institution1 as defined in section #b of the ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,education ,reform ,act of #aiih 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #gfja74 7,d7 ,a #aiid ,institution1 as defined in section #b of such ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #gfja74 7,e7 ,a ,hispanic-serving agricultural college or university1 as defined in section #adjd of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cajc74 7,f7 ,a minority-serving institution1 which shall be defined as an eligible institution under section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a774 7#g7 ,eligible school ,the term eligible school means-- 7,a7 a public school that-- 7i7 serves students in any of grades #f through #ab2 and 7ii7 7,i7 is located-- 7aa7 in a rural area1 as defined in section #be4ejc of title #g1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor regulation2 7bb7 on or near trust land2 7cc7 on or near a substantially underserved trust area1 as defined in section #cjf;,f7a7 of the ,rural ,electrification ,act of #aicf 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #icf;f7a772 or 7dd7 in an eligible community1 as defined in section #adef7;a7 of the ,safe ,drinking ,water ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;j-#af7;a772 or 7,,ii7 is determined by an ,indian ,tribe or ,tribal organization to serve ,native ,american students2 or 7,b7 a ,bureau-funded school1 as defined in section #aada of the ,education ,amendments of #aigh 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #bjba74 7#h7 ,indian ,tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#i7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a774 7#aj7 ,local educational agency ,the term local educational agency has the meaning given the term in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#aa7 ,native ,american ,the term ,native ,american has the meaning given the term in section #ajb of the ,older ,americans ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjjb74 7#ab7 ,public-private partnership ,the term public-private partnership means a partnership-- 7,a7 between a ,state or an eligible agency and a private entity 7which may be a nonprofit organization1 business1 or other nongovernmental entity72 and 7,b7 through which the private entity will provide some or all of the required match under section #d7;e74 7#ac7 ,qualified ,,stem education facility project ,the term qualified ,,stem education facility project means-- 7,a7 the modernization1 renovation1 or repair of facilities to provide ,,stem classrooms or laboratories 7including instrumentation and major laboratory equipment7 and updates related to student and faculty health and safety1 which may include-- 7i7 improving the energy efficiency of a facility2 7ii7 improving the cost-effectiveness of a facility in delivering quality education2 7iii7 improving student1 faculty1 and staff health and safety at a facility2 7iv7 improving1 installing1 or upgrading educational technology infrastructure2 7v7 retrofitting an existing building for career and technical education purposes2 or 7vi7 a one-time repair of serviceable equipment at a facility1 or replacement of equipment at a facility that is at the end of its serviceable lifespan1 that will be used to further educational outcomes2 7,b7 building new facilities to provide ,,stem classrooms or laboratories2 or 7,c7 supporting the establishment and maintenance of high-speed internet for a ,,stem classroom or laboratory4 7#ad7 ,qualified ,,cte facility project ,the term qualified ,,cte facility project-- 7,a7 means the modernization1 renovation1 or repair of a facility that will be used to improve the quality and availability of ,,stem or career and technical education instruction to students1 and that may include-- 7i7 improving the energy efficiency of the facility2 7ii7 improving the cost-effectiveness of the facility in delivering quality education2 7iii7 improving student1 faculty1 and staff health and safety at the facility2 7iv7 improving1 installing1 or upgrading educational technology infrastructure2 7v7 retrofitting an existing building for career and technical education purposes2 or 7vi7 a one-time repair of serviceable equipment at the facility1 or replacement of equipment at the facility that is at the end of its serviceable lifespan1 that will be used to further educational outcomes2 and 7,b7 does not include new construction or the payment of routine maintenance costs4 7#ae7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,education4 7#af7 ,,stem ,the term ,,stem-- 7,a7 means the fields of science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics1 and related fields 7including computer science72 and 7,b7 includes culturally based or traditional knowledge fields in science1 technology1 engineering1 or mathematics4 7#ag7 ,tribal educational agency ,the term ,tribal educational agency has the meaning given the term tribal educational agency in section #facb7;b7 of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #gdeb7;b774 7#ah7 ,tribal organization ,the term ,tribal organization has the meaning given the term tribal organization in section #feh,p of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihehn74 7#ai7 ,trust land ,the term trust land has the meaning given the term in section #cgfe of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 #d4 ,,stem education facilities grants 7a7 ,program authorized ,the ,secretary shall carry out a program to improve ,,stem education facilities by awarding grants1 through allotments under subsection 7b71 to ,states to enable the ,states to award subgrants to eligible agencies or ,tribal educational agencies to carry out qualified ,,stem education facility projects at eligible schools4 7b7 ,allotments and use of funds for ,states 7#a7 ,allotments ,from amounts appropriated to carry out this section for each fiscal year and not reserved under subsection 7g71 the ,secretary shall allot to each ,state that has an application approved under this section an amount that bears the same relationship as the number of schools in the ,state that are rural schools designated with a locale code of #da1 #db1 or #dc1 as determined by the ,secretary1 bears to the number of all such schools in the ,united ,states and on trust lands for that fiscal year4 7#b7 ,use of funds 7,a7 ,reservation of funds for qualified ,,stem education facility projects at schools serving ,native ,americans ,from amounts provided to a ,state under paragraph 7#a71 each ,state with #a or more eligible schools described in item 7bb7 or 7cc7 of subclause 7,i71 or subclause 7,,ii71 of section #c7g77;,a77ii7 shall reserve not less than #aj percent of the ,state's allotment for qualified ,,stem education facility projects at such eligible schools4 7,b7 ,use of funds for qualified ,,stem education facility projects ,a ,state receiving an allotment under paragraph 7#a7 shall1 use the amount of such allotment remaining after any reservation required under subparagraph 7,a7 to award subgrants to eligible agencies or ,tribal educational agencies to carry out qualified ,,stem education facility projects at eligible schools4 7c7 ,application 7#a7 ,grant application for ,states ,a ,state that desires to receive an allotment under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 ,such information shall include1 at a minimum-- 7,a7 a description of the process that the ,state will use in selecting and awarding subgrants to eligible agencies and1 if applicable1 ,tribal educational agencies2 7,b7 an assurance that such process will meet the requirements described in paragraph 7#b72 7,c7 an assurance that in awarding subgrants to eligible agencies1 the ,state will give priority to eligible agencies that are part of a public-private partnership2 and 7,d7 if the ,state has formed a public-private partnership1 a description of that partnership1 including how the private entity partner will contribute to the required match under subsection 7e77#a74 7#b7 ,subgrant application ,a ,state that receives an allotment under this section shall require an eligible agency or ,tribal educational agency that desires a subgrant to submit an application that contains1 at a minimum1 the following information3 7,a7 ,a detailed description of each qualified ,,stem education facility project that the eligible agency or ,tribal educational agency will carry out with subgrant funds4 7,b7 ,a description of the need for each such qualified ,,stem education facility project4 7,c7 ,a description of how the eligible agency or ,tribal educational agency will ensure that each qualified ,,stem education facility project will be adequately maintained4 7,d7 ,an identification of the eligible schools that will benefit from the qualified ,,stem education facility projects supported under the subgrant4 7,e7 ,a description of how the facilities or internet supported by a qualified ,,stem education facility project will be used to provide educational services in ,,stem during the school day and the summer1 and in after school programs4 7,f7 ,if the eligible agency or ,tribal educational agency has formed a public-private partnership1 a description of that partnership1 including how the private entity partner will contribute to the required match under subsection 7e77#b74 7d7 ,environmental standards ,the ,secretary shall encourage1 but not require1 ,states receiving allotments under subsection 7b77#a7 to ensure that the modernization1 renovation1 repair1 or building supported by the qualified ,,stem education facility project meets ,leadership in ,energy and ,environmental ,design 7,,leed7 building rating standards1 ,energy ,star standards1 ,collaborative for ,high ,performance ,schools 7,,chps7 criteria 7or successor criteria71 ,green ,building ,initiative environmental design and rating standards 7,green ,globes71 the ,living ,building ,challenge certification standards1 or equivalent standards adopted by entities with jurisdiction over or related to the ,states4 7e7 ,matching funds 7#a7 ,states ,a ,state that receives a grant under this section shall provide1 from non-,federal sources1 an amount equal to #be percent of the amount of the ,state's allotment under subsection 7b77#a7 to carry out activities supported by the grant4 7#b7 ,eligible agencies ,an eligible agency that receives a subgrant under subsection 7b77#b77;,b7 shall provide1 from non-,federal sources1 an amount equal to #aj percent of the amount of the subgrant to carry out activities supported by the subgrant4 7#c7 ,type of match ,a matching requirement under this subsection may be provided in cash or in-kind4 7#d7 ,waiver authority ,the ,secretary may waive the requirement under this subsection for a ,state if the ,secretary determines that the ,state will be unable to satisfy the matching requirement4 7f7 ,supplement not supplant ,funds made available under this section shall be used to supplement1 and not supplant1 other ,federal and ,state funds available to carry out the activities supported under this section4 7g7 ,technical assistance and administrative costs ,the ,secretary may reserve not more than #c percent of funds appropriated to carry out this section for the administrative costs of this section and to provide technical assistance to ,states1 eligible agencies1 and ,tribal educational agencies concerning best practices in carrying out qualified ,,stem education facility projects4 7h7 ,reporting requirements ,not later than #a year after funds are appropriated to carry out this section1 and every #b years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report on the effect of the qualified ,,stem education facility projects supported under this section on improving academic achievement4 #e4 ,career and technical education facilities improvement 7a7 ,program authorized ,from amounts appropriated to carry out this section1 the ,secretary shall carry out a program to improve career and technical education facilities by-- 7#a7 awarding grants to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to carry out qualified ,,cte facility projects2 7#b7 guaranteeing loans made to eligible entities for qualified ,,cte facility projects2 or 7#c7 making payments of interest on bonds1 loans1 or other financial instruments 7other than a refinancing7 that are issued to eligible entities for qualified ,,cte facility projects4 7b7 ,application ,an eligible entity that desires to receive a grant1 loan guarantee1 or payment of interest under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such a time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 ,the application shall include-- 7#a7 a detailed description of the qualified ,,cte facility project2 7#b7 in the case of a qualified ,,cte facility project described in section #c7ad77;,a77vi71 a description of the educational outcomes to be furthered by the one-time repair of serviceable equipment or replacement of equipment2 7#c7 an indication as to whether the eligible entity prefers to receive a grant1 loan guarantee1 or payment of interest2 7#d7 a description of the need for the qualified ,,cte facility project2 7#e7 a description of how the eligible entity will ensure that the qualified ,,cte facility project will be adequately maintained2 7#f7 a description of how the qualified ,,cte facility project will improve instruction and educational outcomes at the facility1 including any opportunities to integrate project activities within the curriculum of a school or institution2 7#g7 a description of how the facility supported by the qualified ,,cte facility project will be used for providing educational services in ,,stem or career and technical education2 7#h7 if the qualified ,,cte facility project will seek sustainability certifications1 then a description of how the modernization1 renovation1 or repair supported by the qualified ,,cte facility project meets ,leadership in ,energy and ,environmental ,design 7,,leed7 building rating standards1 ,energy ,star standards1 ,collaborative for ,high ,performance ,schools 7,,chps7 criteria 7or successor criteria71 ,green ,building ,initiative environmental design and rating standards 7,green ,globes71 the ,living ,building ,challenge certification standards1 or equivalent standards adopted by entities with jurisdiction over or related to the eligible entity2 7#i7 a description of the fiscal capacity of the eligible entity2 7#aj7 the percentage of students enrolled in the eligible entity or a school or institution served by the eligible entity to be served by the qualified ,,cte facility project who are from low-income families2 7#aa7 in the case of a qualified ,,cte facility project at a facility that is used by students in a secondary school 7as such term is defined in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja771 the secondary school graduation rates2 7#ab7 in the case of an eligible entity that has formed a partnership with a private entity 7which may include a nonprofit organization1 business1 or other nongovernmental entity71 a description of that partnership1 including how the private entity partner will contribute to the qualified ,,cte facility project2 and 7#ac7 such additional information and assurances as the ,secretary may require4 7c7 ,priority ,in awarding grants1 guaranteeing loans1 or making payments under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that have a partnership described in subsection 7b77#ab74 7d7 ,supplement not supplant ,funds made available under this section shall be used to supplement1 and not supplant1 other ,federal and ,state funds available to carry out the activities supported under this section4 7e7 ,technical assistance and administrative costs ,the ,secretary may reserve a total of not more than #c percent of funds appropriated to carry out this section-- 7#a7 for the administrative costs of this section2 and 7#b7 to provide technical assistance to eligible entities concerning best practices in school facility renovation1 repair1 and modernization4 7f7 ,reporting requirements ,not later than #a year after funds are appropriated to carry out this section1 and every #b years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report on the effect of the qualified ,,cte facility projects supported under this section on improving academic achievement4 #f4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated-- 7#a7 to carry out section #d1 not less than #be1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbg and each succeeding fiscal year2 and 7#b7 to carry out section #e1 not less than #be1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbg and each succeeding fiscal year4