AB139 - Makes an appropriation to the Department of Education for programs of dual credit. (BDR S-178)

A.B. 139 - *AB139* ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 139–ASSEMBLYMEMBER TORRES-FOSSETT PREFILED JANUARY 29, 2025 ____________ Referred to Committee on Ways and Means SUMMARY—Makes an appropriation to the Department of Education for programs of dual credit. (BDR S-178) FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No. Effect on the State: Contains Appropriation not included in Executive Budget. ~ EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. AN ACT making an appropriation to the Department of Education for the purpose of awarding grants of money to school districts or institutions within the Nevada System of Higher Education for programs of dual credit; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. 1. There is hereby appropriated from the State 1 General Fund to the Department of Education the sum of 2 $15,000,000 for the purpose of awarding grants of money in 3 accordance with this section to school districts and institutions 4 within the Nevada System of Higher Education for programs of dual 5 credit at public schools in this State. 6 2. The Department shall allocate the money appropriated by 7 subsection 1 to school districts and institutions within the System to 8 cover the cost of student fees and instructional materials for pupils 9 enrolled in new and existing dual credit programs who are able to 10 demonstrate financial or other hardship, including, without 11 limitation: 12 (a) Pupils who, once enrolled in a postsecondary educational 13 institution, will be first-generation college students; 14 (b) Pupils from historically underserved communities; or 15 (c) Pupils who either directly receive or are members of a 16 household that receives public assistance, as defined in 17 – 2 – - *AB139* NRS 422A.065, or who are eligible for free or reduced-price 1 lunches pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq. 2 3. A school district or institution within the System may 3 expend money allocated pursuant to subsection 2 on behalf of the 4 same pupil more than once, to cover the cost of student fees and 5 instructional materials for multiple classes or semesters, or at 6 multiple institutions. 7 4. In allocating the money appropriated by subsection 1, the 8 Department shall not: 9 (a) Impose geographic limitations on where a program of dual 10 credit may be offered or limit whether instruction is offered at an 11 institution within the System, at a high school or online; 12 (b) Impose limitations on the subject area of courses offered in a 13 program of dual credit; or 14 (c) Interfere with the choice of instructor for a dual credit course 15 made by an institution within the System. 16 5. Upon acceptance of the money appropriated by subsection 1, 17 a school district or institution within the System, as applicable, 18 agrees to: 19 (a) Prepare and transmit a report to the Interim Finance 20 Committee on or before December 18, 2026, that describes, from 21 the date on which the money was received by the school district or 22 institution within the System through December 1, 2026: 23 (1) Each expenditure made from the money appropriated by 24 subsection 1; 25 (2) The number of pupils enrolled in dual credit programs for 26 whom money appropriated by subsection 1 was expended; and 27 (3) For pupils for whom money appropriated by subsection 1 28 was expended, high school graduation rates and rates of 29 matriculation into institutions within the System; 30 (b) Prepare and transmit a final report to the Interim Finance 31 Committee on or before September 17, 2027, that describes, from 32 the date on which the money was received by the school district or 33 institution within the System through June 30, 2027: 34 (1) Each expenditure made from the money appropriated by 35 subsection 1; 36 (2) The number of pupils enrolled in dual credit programs for 37 whom money appropriated by subsection 1 was expended; and 38 (3) For pupils for whom money appropriated by subsection 1 39 was expended, high school graduation rates and rates of 40 matriculation into institutions within the System; and 41 (c) Prepare the reports required pursuant to this subsection in a 42 manner that complies with the provisions of the Family Educational 43 Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g. 44 – 3 – - *AB139* 6. Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by 1 subsection 1 must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2 2027, by the entity to which the appropriation is made or any entity 3 to which money from the appropriation is granted or otherwise 4 transferred in any manner, and any portion of the appropriated 5 money remaining must not be spent for any purpose after 6 September 17, 2027, by either the entity to which the money was 7 appropriated or the entity to which the money was subsequently 8 granted or transferred, and must be reverted to the fund from which 9 it was appropriated on or before September 17, 2027. 10 Sec. 2. This act becomes effective upon passage and approval. 11 H