ENGROSSED HOUSE
BILL NO. 1508	By:	Christian and Blackwell of the House

			      and

		Reynolds of the Senate

( higher education – amending 70 O.S., Section 698.3 – teacher shortage employment incentive program – effective date – 		emergency )

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     70 O.S. 2001, Section 698.3, is amended to read as follows:
Section 698.3  A.  It is the intent of the Oklahoma Legislature that, beginning with the 2001-2002 school year, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education establish a teacher shortage employment incentive program for students enrolled:
1.  Enrolled in a major course of study in mathematics or science at the undergraduate level or graduate level who declare an intention to serve and who subsequently serve this state by teaching in a secondary level public school of this state for a minimum of five (5) years in the subject areas of mathematics or science; and
2.  Who have completed an undergraduate degree and are enrolled in a graduate level of study in mathematics or science who declare an intention to serve and who subsequently serve this state by teaching at a regional university or two-year college within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education for a minimum of five (5) years in the subject areas of mathematics or science.  
B.  Students meeting the criteria provided in subsection A of this section this section shall be given the opportunity to enter into participation in the program.
B. C.  The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are authorized to make employment incentive payments pursuant to the provisions of this section to persons who actually render a minimum of five (5) years of service as teachers in the public schools of this state or at regional universities or two-year colleges within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education if not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the teaching assignment meets the criteria specified in subsection A of this section.  The total amount of the employment incentive payments for any qualified person shall not exceed an amount equal to three times the average annual cost of undergraduate or graduate resident tuition and fees for full-time enrollment at institutions which offer teacher education programs within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, as defined by the State Regents.  Any amount not necessary to repay the loan balance of a student's loan(s) student shall be paid directly to any person otherwise eligible for employment incentive payments pursuant to this section.
C. D.  The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall require the execution of appropriate contracts with eligible persons.  Persons failing to comply with the requirements of this section shall not be eligible for the employment incentive payments provided for in this section.  The Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, with approval of the State Regents, may contract with any other appropriate organization or unit of government for the administration of the provisions of this section.
D. E.  If insufficient funds are available for employment incentive payments to qualified persons during any fiscal year, the Chancellor may make reductions in the payments made to those qualifying.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2009.
SECTION 3.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
Passed the House of Representatives the 11th day of March, 2009.

	
Presiding Officer of the House of
	Representatives

Passed the Senate the ____ day of __________, 2009.

	
Presiding Officer of the Senate