HB 1779

This bill establishes the Nuclear Education Grant Fund and Program within Virginia to support the development and expansion of nuclear education at colleges and universities in the state. The program, administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (the Council), will award competitive grants to both public and private institutions of higher education seeking to create or expand instructional programs that support the nuclear power industry, including degrees or credentials in fields like nuclear engineering and nuclear welding. The bill creates a special non-reverting fund in the state treasury to finance these grants, with money coming from state appropriations and any private donations, and directs the Council to develop the rules and procedures for administering the grant application and award process.