Education (Higher Education)

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 636: School Psychologist Omnibus.

SB 636, the School Psychologist Omnibus, increases compensation for North Carolina school psychologists and creates programs to boost recruitment and training. It provides a $650 monthly salary supplement for all school psychologists, plus a 12% supplement for those with a nationally certified credential, funded by $8.1 million. The bill also allocates $1.7 million for grants to school districts offering up to $5,000 signing bonuses to recruit psychologists, $5 million for internship stipends, and $5 million for a virtual training program at Appalachian State University, plus $1.6 million to expand university training programs at five UNC schools. These changes, effective July 2025, directly affect school psychologists, public school districts, and university training programs to address staffing shortages.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases compensation for school psychologists via $650 monthly supplements, recruitment grants, and internship stipends totaling $14.8M, directly funding educational staff and mental health services in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health

Track

in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 241: Person County Projects/Funds.

HB 241 allocates $15.8 million in one-time state funds for specific projects in Person County and nearby areas. It provides $10 million for Roxboro’s wastewater plant repairs, $800,000 for Person County’s splash pad construction, and $5 million for Piedmont Community College’s health/trades center equipment. The funds are directed to these specific entities via grants from the Office of State Budget and Management for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, with no policy changes beyond the funding allocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $15.8M in state funds for infrastructure (wastewater, parks) and education (college equipment), advancing budget appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $5M for Piedmont Community College's health/trades center equipment, directly funding higher education infrastructure per bill subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education

Track

signed · North Carolina · House Aug 11, 2026

HB 268: 2026 Budget Technical Corrections - II.

HB 268 authorizes the University of North Carolina system to finance specific capital projects at UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Wilmington using alternative funding sources like gifts, grants, and revenue bonds - instead of state general funds. It specifically covers major projects including Chapel Hill's electrical system upgrade and Fetzer Hall addition, plus Wilmington's parking deck and student housing. The bill allows the university board to issue special obligation bonds up to 5% over the project costs to cover expenses, with potential adjustments approved by the state budget director. This directly affects the two universities by enabling them to fund these infrastructure improvements through non-state appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows UNC system to use alternative funding for campus infrastructure projects (e.g., electrical upgrades, housing), directly supporting higher education facility improvements without diverting state general funds.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 787: Revise NC 529 Program.

HB 787 establishes a matching program for North Carolina residents contributing to the Parental Savings Trust Fund (a 529 program) and creates a tax deduction for such contributions. It provides a 2:1 state match (up to $1,500 per student annually) for eligible contributors - North Carolina residents with household income under 250% of the federal poverty level who open accounts for children aged 14 or younger. The bill also allows a state tax deduction of up to $2,000 per individual ($4,000 for joint filers) for contributions to the fund, with rules to adjust income if funds are withdrawn for non-education purposes. These changes aim to boost college savings for lower-income families, with the matching program starting July 1, 2025, and the tax deduction effective January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction and state match for lower-income 529 contributions, advancing fiscal support for education funding through tax relief and state appropriations.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax deductions and 2:1 state match for 529 savings, expanding financial aid access for lower-income families toward higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SB 195: Protect Campus Survivors Act.

SB 195, the "Protect Campus Survivors Act," exempts personally identifiable student disciplinary records at North Carolina's public colleges and universities from being disclosed as public records under state law. It defines these records as any materials containing student identifiers (like names, addresses, or social security numbers) related to disciplinary investigations, making them confidential even if federal law (FERPA) might permit disclosure. This applies to all UNC system institutions, community colleges, and their disciplinary processes. The bill takes effect upon enactment, affecting how schools handle and share such records with the public. It does not change federal privacy rules but ensures these specific records remain private under North Carolina's public records law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects student disciplinary record confidentiality in higher education, aligning with 'protect' under education support criteria.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy protections by making student disciplinary records confidential, directly aligning with Technology topic's data privacy focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 957: Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Historically Minority-Serving Institutions Omnibus.

HB 957 creates a study committee to examine infrastructure challenges at North Carolina's HBCUs and MSIs, including building conditions, environmental risks, and maintenance needs. It establishes a $5 million Completion Assistance Program to provide up to $1,000 annually per student at six UNC HBCUs (Elizabeth City State, NC A&T, UNC Asheville, UNC Greensboro, UNC Pembroke, and Winston-Salem State) for tuition/fee balances, targeting students with Pell Grants who need financial aid to graduate on time. The bill also allocates specific infrastructure funds, including $5.1 million for Winston-Salem State's Hauser Hall renovations and $8 million for emergency steam repairs. These provisions directly affect students and campus facilities at the six designated institutions through financial aid and physical infrastructure support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates $5M program for HBCU student financial aid and infrastructure study committee, directly supporting higher education access and resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 10, 2025

HB 324: Greensboro Transit Agency/Funds.

HB 324 appropriates $800,000 from the Highway Fund to the Greensboro Transit Agency for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds are specifically allocated to $500,000 for the North/South Crossmax Orange Bus Route and $300,000 to launch a pilot program transporting high school juniors and seniors to Guilford Technical Community College campuses. This bill directly affects Greensboro Transit Agency operations and Guilford County high school students participating in the college transportation pilot. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $800k from Highway Fund for transit and education pilot programs, directly advancing budget appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $300k for high school student transportation pilot to community college, directly enhancing higher education access for secondary students.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $800k from Highway Fund to Greensboro Transit Agency for bus routes and student transportation pilot, directly funding public transportation infrastructure and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Transportation Public Transit Roads & Highways

Track

in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 17, 2025

HB 396: Nursing Fellows and Curriculum Support Funds/Winston-Salem State University.

HB 396 establishes a Nursing Fellows Program at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) to provide forgivable loans to nursing students. The program targets WSSU students pursuing Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing Education degrees who commit to working as nurses or nursing instructors in North Carolina after graduation. Eligible students receive up to $5,000 per semester (or $2,500 per summer) to cover tuition, fees, and books, with loans forgiven upon meeting service requirements. Funds are managed through a dedicated Trust Fund, with specific allocations for administrative costs, mentoring, and program activities. This directly affects WSSU nursing students planning to work in North Carolina healthcare settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides forgivable loans for nursing students at WSSU, increasing access to higher education funding through scholarships/financial aid.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing education to increase workforce, improving healthcare access and provider availability in NC through forgivable loans for future nurses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

Track

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 987: Create Police Leadership Fellows Program.

HB 987 creates the North Carolina Police Leadership Fellows Program, which provides forgivable loans to eligible individuals pursuing undergraduate degrees in criminal justice, government, or related fields at UNC institutions. The program targets high school graduates or seniors facing economic barriers (e.g., unemployment, underemployment) or those expressing interest in criminal justice careers, with priority given to residents who intend to work as sworn law enforcement officers, correctional staff, sheriffs, or similar roles after graduation. Recipients may receive up to $20,000 total in forgivable loans ($3,000/year for first two years, $7,000/year for final two years), covering tuition, fees, and books, subject to criminal background checks and residency requirements. The program is administered by a committee appointed by the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, with annual selections of 50-100 recipients.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded program (forgivable loans for criminal justice education) requiring budget appropriations, advancing government spending on workforce development and public safety.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds criminal justice education for future officers via forgivable loans, directly strengthening law enforcement workforce development and aligning with reform-focused training priorities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides forgivable loans for criminal justice degrees at UNC institutions, expanding higher education access for economically disadvantaged students targeting law enforcement careers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Higher Education K-12 Education

Track

signed · North Carolina · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 1012: Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part II.

HB 1012 redirects over $64 million in existing state funds to support communities affected by Hurricane Helene and wildfires in Western North Carolina. It transfers $25 million from the Environmental Quality budget for water infrastructure repairs, $12.5 million for school closures, $5 million for university facility repairs, and $2.25 million for election operations in impacted areas. The bill applies to counties designated under federal disaster declarations for Hurricane Helene (per Section 1.4) and addresses wildfire recovery efforts hampered by the storm (per Section 1.5). These funds are drawn from unspent allocations in existing state programs, not new taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $64M in existing state funds for disaster recovery, including infrastructure and education repairs, demonstrating fiscal management to fund essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $12.5M for school closures (K-12) and $5M for university facility repairs, directly funding educational infrastructure recovery in disaster-impacted areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education