This bill establishes a Realtime Stenographic Writer Training Grant Program under the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. The program aims to support institutions in training and placing realtime stenographic writers, including court reporters and closed captioners. It includes the following key provisions:

1. Grant Allocation:

   • Two grants of $300,000 each will be awarded annually starting in the 2025-2026 academic year until the appropriation is fully used.
     
   • One grant must go to an institution in the seven-county metropolitan area and the other to an institution outside this area.
     

2. Application Criteria:

   • Applicants must describe their training programs and explain how they will sustain training efforts beyond the grant period.
     
   • Priority will be given to institutions that:
     
     • Have the greatest capacity to train stenographic writers.
       
     • Show strong collaboration with businesses, educational institutions, or labor organizations.
       
     • Propose innovative approaches for training and job placement.
       

3. Individual Grants & Scholarships:

   • Institutions may use grant funds for student scholarships based on financial need.
     
   • Recipients must agree to work as a realtime stenographic writer for six months per funded semester.
     
   • The commissioner will establish repayment rules for students failing to meet employment requirements, with possible waivers based on economic conditions.
     

4. Reporting Requirements:

   • Institutions receiving grants must submit annual reports evaluating their effectiveness in increasing stenographic writers.
     
   • Reports must include best practices identified for training and job placement.
     
   • The Office of Higher Education will submit findings and recommendations to legislative committees overseeing higher education.
     

This bill aims to address workforce shortages in stenography by expanding training opportunities and supporting job placement efforts.