Utah H 534 (Boards and Commissions Modifications), Section 55-56

Summary

Amends legislation to define "deep technology" to include artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Mandates the development and oversight of a deep technology talent initiative by the board, effective May 1, 2024.

Requires institutions of higher education to submit proposals for partnering with employers to create programs in deep technology fields.

Stipulates proposal criteria must include program responsiveness to state needs, partnerships, and employer involvement.

Obligates the advisory council to review and prioritize program proposals based on capacity expansion, integration, and cost-effectiveness.

Directs the board to fund approved programs by evaluating recommendations from the advisory council and considering legislative appropriations.

Requires funded institutions to report annually on program activities and outcomes, including student enrollment and employment metrics.

Compels the board to provide an annual report on program successes and challenges to legislative committees.

Amends definitions including "deep technology" to encompass AI, robotics, and other emerging technologies.

Section 55, Section 53B-26-301 is amended to read: 53B-26-301 (Effective 05/01/24). Definitions. As used in this part: (1) "Advisory council" means the Deep Technology Talent Advisory Council created in Section 53B-26-303. (2) (1) (a)"Deep technology" means technology that leads to new products and innovations based on scientific discovery or meaningful engineering innovation. (b)"Deep technology" may include technology that leads to new products and innovations related to one or more of the following: (i)advanced materials; (ii)artificial intelligence; (iii)augmented and virtual reality; (iv)biotechnology; (v)photonics; (vi)quantum computing; (vii)robotics; (viii)secure computing; and (ix)other emerging technologies as determined by the advisory council board. (3) (2) "Institution of higher education" means the University of Utah, Utah State University, Southern Utah University, Weber State University, Snow College, Utah Tech University, Utah Valley University, or Salt Lake Community College.

Amends legislation to develop and oversee a deep technology initiative for expanded educational programs.

Section 56, Section 53B-26-302 is amended to read: 53B-26-302 (Effective 05/01/24). Deep technology initiative. (1)Subject to appropriations from the Legislature and in accordance with the proposal process and other provisions of this section, the board shall develop and oversee a deep technology talent initiative that includes providing funding for expanded programs in deep technology. (2)The board shall facilitate collaborations that create expanded, multidisciplinary programs or stackable credential programs in both undergraduate and graduate studies that prepare students to be workforce participants in jobs requiring deep technology skills.

Requires institutions to submit detailed proposals for deep technology programs involving employer partnerships to the board.

(3)An institution of higher education seeking to partner with one or more participating employers shall submit a proposal to the board, in a form approved by the board and in accordance with deadlines determined by the board, which contains the following elements: (a)a description of the proposed program in deep technology that demonstrates the program will: (i)be responsive to the deep technology talent needs of the state through industry involvement in the project's design; (ii)be a partnership that includes at least one participating employer and at least one institution of higher education; and (iii)address a previously unmet state need related to deep technology; (b)an estimate of: (i)student enrollment in the program; (ii)what academic credit or credentials will be provided by the program; and (iii)occupations for which graduates will be qualified; (c)evidence that each participating employer is committed to participating and contributing to the program by providing any combination of instruction, extensive workplace experience, or mentoring; (d)a description of any resources that will be provided by each participating employer in the program; and (e)the amount of funding requested for the program, including justification for the funding.

Requires the advisory council to review, prioritize, and recommend funding proposals based on specific criteria.

(4)The board shall provide all proposals to the advisory council and the advisory council shall review and prioritize each proposal received and recommend to the board determine whether the proposal should be funded, including the recommended amount of funding, using the following criteria: (a)the quality and completeness of the elements of the proposal described in Subsection (3); (b)to what extent the proposed program: (i)would expand the capacity to meet state or regional workforce needs related to deep technology; (ii)would integrate deep technology competency with disciplinary expertise; (iii)identifies a faculty member or other individual who has expertise and a demonstrated willingness to lead the proposed program; (iv)would incorporate internships or significant project experiences, including team-based experiences; (v)identifies how industry professionals would participate in curriculum development and teaching; (vi)would create partnerships with other higher education institutions and industry; and (vii)would be cost effective; and (c)other relevant criteria as determined by the advisory council and the board.

Requires the board to consider recommendations and provide funding information before financing deep technology programs.

(5)Subject to Subsection (6) and the other provisions of this section, on or before September 1 of each fiscal year, the board shall review the recommendations of the advisory council and may provide funding for deep technology programs using the criteria described in Subsection (4). (6)Before the board may provide funding for one or more deep technology programs for fiscal year 2021, on or before October 1, 2020, the board shall provide written information regarding the proposed funding to, and shall consider the recommendations of, the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

Requires institutions to annually report on deep technology program activities, funding, student participation, and graduate employment.

(7) (a)Each institution of higher education that receives funding under this section shall, in a form approved by the board, annually provide written information to the board regarding the activities, successes, and challenges related to administering the deep technology program, including: (i)specific entities that received funding under this section; (ii)the amount of funding provided to each entity; (iii)the number of participating students in each program; (iv)the number of graduates of the program; and (v)the number of graduates of the program employed in jobs requiring deep technology skills. (b)On or before November 1 of each year, the board shall provide a written report containing the information described in this Subsection (7) to the: (i)Education Interim Committee; and (ii)Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee.