HB 259

Directs the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to establish the Brown-Morgan Science Olympiad Grant Pilot Program (Program) for the 2025-26 school year, with the purpose of improving the quality of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education by giving students the opportunity to compete in a rigorous academic interscholastic competition consisting of a series of team events for which students prepare throughout the year. Requires Program applications to be available by August 1, 2025, and specifies that all public school units are eligible to apply. Applications are due by August 31, 2025, and recipients are to be notified and grants disbursed by September 15, 2025. Priority is to be given to awarding the full amount requested to public school units that did not have a Science Olympiad team during the immediately preceding school year on a first come, first serve basis. Allows the grant funds to be used for: (1) fees required to participate in a Science Olympiad event, (2) team project materials, (3) travel required to participate in a Science Olympiad event, and (4) salary stipends to teachers that coach a Science Olympiad team. Requires DPI to report to the specified NCGA committee by May 1, 2025, on the four specified topics.