(a) The legislature of the state of Kansas hereby finds and declares that:

(1) Engineering intensive industries represent approximately one-third of the statewide payroll and tax base;

(2) under the university engineering initiative act, the secretary of commerce, in consultation with the board of regents, state educational institutions and private industry, shall develop a plan to ensure engineering industry partners find the new talent, designs and techniques needed to fuel economic growth and business success in Kansas;

(3) the goal of the university engineering initiative act is to increase the number of engineering graduates to 1,365 graduates per year in 2021 and continue to generate this same number of graduates to meet the ongoing needs of the engineering workforce for as long as the university engineering initiative act is financed with annual transfers from the expanded lottery act revenues fund. All moneys appropriated pursuant to this act shall be used to meet this goal; and

(4) the needs of the citizens of the state of Kansas will be best served if the secretary of commerce, the board of regents and the state educational institutions under the control and supervision of the board of regents are granted specific authority to assist in the expansion of the engineering programs.

(b) The exercise of the powers authorized by this act are deemed an essential governmental function in matters of public necessity for the entire state to increase the number of engineering graduates.