Bill > S3337

Introduced Session

This bill directs the Secretary of Higher Education to establish a four-year Wine and Grape Education Grant Program. The program is to provide grants to four-year public institutions of higher education to establish or expand degree-granting or certificate programs in wine and grape science including grape growing, wine making, and business operations. To be eligible for consideration of a grant award, a four-year public institution of higher education is required to submit an application to the Secretary of Higher Education in a form and manner prescribed by the secretary. A grant application is required to include: the institution's plan for the establishment or expansion of wine and grape education programs; the institution's plan to ensure students attain real-world knowledge and experience in the wine and grape industry including, but not limited to, the availability of partnerships with nonprofit organizations and local wineries; the number of students able to be supported by the grant program and the number of students expected to participate; and any other information the secretary deems necessary. Under the bill, the secretary is to select three four-year public institutions of higher education, including one institution in each of the southern, central, and northern regions of the State, for participation in the grant program. An institution selected to participate is to receive a grant in an amount not to exceed $500,000. The provisions of the bill stipulate that a four-year public institution of higher education that receives a grant under the program may permit a student who is under the age of 21 to enroll in a degree-granting or certificate program in wine and grape science provided that the student is not to be permitted to enroll in any coursework or attend any event where alcoholic beverages are to be consumed or where the student would otherwise be required to be 21 years of age in accordance with any other law, rule, or regulation. Additionally, the bill requires the secretary to submit a report on the grant program to the Governor and the Legislature no later than six months prior to the conclusion of the program.

Committee Categories

Mike Testa (R)*,  Andrew Zwicker (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee (on 06/03/2024)

Official Document