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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0990*
SENATE BILL 990
F1 6lr3626
CF HB 531
By: Senator Rosapepe
Introduced and read first time: February 19, 2026
Assigned to: Rules
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Public Schools STEM and Robotics Program Task Force – Establishment 2
FOR the purpose of establishing the Public Schools STEM and Robotics Program Task 3
Force to collect information on and study existing STEM and robotics programs in 4
public sc hools in the State and in other states to determine the feasibility of 5
establishing competitive STEM and robotics programs throughout the State; and 6
generally relating to the Public Schools STEM and Robotics Program Task Force. 7
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 8
That: 9
(a) There is a Public Schools Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 10
(STEM) and Robotics Program Task Force. 11
(b) The Task Force consists of the following members: 12
(1) two members of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 13
the Senate; 14
(2) two members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of 15
the House; 16
(3) the State Superintendent of Schools, or the State Superintendent’s 17
designee; 18
(4) the Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary’s designee; 19
(5) the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee; 20
(6) three representatives from local school systems, appointed by the State 21
Superintendent of Schools or the State Superintendent’s designee; and 22
2 SENATE BILL 990
(7) three rep resentatives of nonprofit organizations that provide STEM 1
and robotics services in the State, appointed by the Governor. 2
(c) The Governor shall designate the chair of the Task Force. 3
(d) The State Department of Education shall provide staff for the Task Force. 4
(e) A member of the Task Force: 5
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but 6
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 7
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 8
(f) The Task Force shall: 9
(1) collect information regarding existing STEM and robotics programs in 10
public schools in the State and in other states, including: 11
(i) a description of each program; 12
(ii) requirements for the administration of each program; 13
(iii) the funding amount and source of funding for each program; and 14
(iv) the impact on revenues and expenditures in the State and other 15
applicable states; 16
(2) study: 17
(i) the feasibility of implementing competitive STEM and robotics 18
programs in public schools throughout the State; and 19
(ii) approaches and resources needed to implement competitive 20
STEM and robotics programs in public schools throughout the State; and 21
(3) make recommendations on establishing competitive robotics programs 22
as varsity sports in every public high school throughout the State. 23
(g) On or before December 15, 2026, the Task Force shall report its findings and 24
recommendations to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the Senate Committee 25
on Education, Energy, and t he Environment, the House Appropriations Committee, the 26
House Ways and Means Committee, and the General Assembly, in accordance with § 27
2–1257 of the State Government Article. 28
SENATE BILL 990 3
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 1
1, 2026. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and, at the end of June 30, 2027, this 2
Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no 3
further force and effect. 4