S 379 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to establishing a high school robotics grant program

Summary

Establishes a high school robotics grant program; provides funding to high schools for participation in robotics competitions; sets forth eligibility requirements; provides for the application and awards process.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

Assembly Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Jan 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S379 → S379A · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to broaden its scope from a specific FIRST robotics competition to a general high school robotics participation grant program, allowing schools to participate in any approved robotics competition rather than just FIRST events. The amendment also added a requirement for the department to establish a certification process for approved robotics leagues or organizations.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from being limited to the FIRST robotics competition to covering any robotics competition that is certified by the state department.

SCOPE

Changed the program title from 'FIRST grant program' to 'high school robotics participation grant program' to broaden eligibility beyond just FIRST competitions.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the department to establish a process to identify and certify which robotics leagues or organizations are approved for eligibility purposes.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility criteria to allow participation in any certified robotics competition rather than specifically requiring participation in a FIRST robotics competition.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 5, 2025

How they voted

60–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 63

Jun 5, 2025

D Democratic41

39 Yea 2

95% Yea

R Republican22

21 Yea 1

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO FINANCE

upper

Jun 5, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO EDUCATION

lower

Jun 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 379A

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO FINANCE

upper

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO FINANCE

upper

1 primary · 13 co-sponsors