S2963.05T

To amend chapter 640, RSMo, by enacting one new section relating to scholarships to increase minority and underrepresented student enrollment in environmentally related courses of study.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Chapter 640, RSMo, is amended by enacting one new section to be known as section 640.240, to read as follows:

640.240. 1. There is hereby established within the division of environmental quality a "Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program". The department of natural resources, hereafter referred to as the department, may award scholarships to minority and underrepresented students to pursue environmentally related courses of study. The scholarships shall be administered by the division of environmental quality recruitment and retention program under the supervision of the minority environmental literacy advisory committee established under this section. Those ethnic groups which are most severely underrepresented, as determined by data gathered and maintained by the National Academy of Sciences, shall receive priority in annual selection.

2. For the purpose of increasing the number of minority and underrepresented students, as determined by the National Academy of Sciences, who are enrolled in environmentally related courses of study, there is hereby created a "Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Fund". Any unexpended balance in the recruitment and retention scholarship fund shall not be subject to biennial transfer pursuant to the provisions of section 33.080, RSMo. All interest earned on funds in the recruitment and retention scholarship fund shall accrue to the fund.

3. The general assembly may appropriate funds to the department for the purpose of funding scholarships as authorized by this section. Such funds shall be from general revenue, special fees administered by the department, federal funding sources, gifts or donations, provided that such funds may be used for this purpose. All sums received for this purpose shall be placed in the state treasury and credited to the recruitment and retention scholarship fund.

4. The department shall accept, receive and administer grants or other funds, gifts or donations from the public and individuals, including the federal government, for the purpose of funding scholarships under this section. Such funds shall be deposited in the recruitment and retention scholarship fund.

5. The department shall promulgate rules to administer the scholarship program, which shall include qualifications, application forms, annual filing deadlines, and scholarship amounts.

6. The scholarship program shall be directed toward students in the following areas of study:

(1) Engineering students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in civil, chemical, mechanical, or agricultural engineering;

(2) Environmental sciences students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in geology, biology, wildlife management, planning, natural resources, or a closely related course of study;

(3) Chemistry students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of environmental chemistry; and

(4) Law enforcement students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in environmental law enforcement.

7. There is hereby created a "Minority Environmental Literacy Advisory Committee", hereafter referred to as the committee, to be comprised of:

(1) The director of the department of natural resources or the director's designee, who will serve as chairperson of the committee;

(2) Three representatives of universities and colleges. The university and college representatives shall each be appointed by the affirmative action office of the respective institution;

(3) The commissioner of higher education or the commissioner's designee;

(4) Five at-large members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate who shall be high school teachers and college professors and who shall be selected to represent the various regions of the state;

(5) The state affirmative action officer.

8. The committee shall meet at least annually, at a time and place to be determined by the chairperson, to select students to receive scholarships from applications filed with the division of environmental quality retention and recruitment program. The members appointed by the governor shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses.

9. Colleges and universities described in this section shall include public community colleges.