SB 355 waives tuition at North Carolina public colleges for survivors of correctional officers, probation officers, or firefighters who died in the line of duty or became permanently disabled. It specifically covers spouses of disabled officers and children (ages 17-24) of disabled officers, with eligibility requiring service-connected death/disability and verification from relevant agencies. The waiver applies to both credit and noncredit programs, limiting bachelor’s degree support to 54 months. This policy directly affects families of these public safety workers by reducing education costs.
HB 395 allocates $13.2 million to Swain County, $18.6 million to Jackson County, and $65.3 million to Transylvania County for infrastructure and public services in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It funds specific projects including fire department equipment (e.g., new tankers, hydrants), water/sewer system upgrades, school facilities, emergency management buildings, and college infrastructure like dental clinics and engineering buildings at Western Carolina University. The bill directs one-time state funds to county governments, local fire departments, school systems, and community colleges (Southwestern Community College, Western Carolina University, Blue Ridge Community College) to address immediate needs. It does not create new laws but provides targeted financial support for existing public services and facilities in these three counties.
SB 297 establishes a Nursing Fellows Program at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) to provide forgivable loans to nursing students. The program offers up to $5,000 per semester (or $2,500 per summer) for tuition, books, and fees toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN) degree, contingent on recipients committing to work as nurses or nursing instructors in North Carolina. Eligibility requires WSSU nursing degree completion within 10 years, North Carolina RN licensure, and a demonstrated commitment to serve in-state, with loan forgiveness tied to employment in qualifying nursing roles after graduation.
HB 346 directs the State Board of Community Colleges to adjust how full-time equivalent (FTE) students are calculated for Central Carolina Community College's Harnett and Chatham main campuses. Specifically, it requires combining the FTE from each main campus with the FTE from its respective Health Sciences Center. This adjustment is made to help these campuses maintain their multicampus center status.
SB 265, the "Protecting Our Community Act," regulates hemp-derived consumable products (like edibles or vapes with ≤0.3% delta-9 THC) and bans them on school grounds. It requires businesses to verify buyers' ages (no sales to under 21), mandates independent lab testing for THC levels, and defines terms like "distributor" and "final form product." The law directly affects hemp product manufacturers, sellers (including online retailers), and schools, which must prohibit these items on campus. Key provisions include mandatory child-resistant packaging at point-of-sale and restrictions on selling to minors, aiming to limit youth access while creating new regulatory requirements for the industry.
SB 596 appropriates $169 million from the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund to North Carolina Central University for critical campus repairs. The funds are allocated as $100 million for HVAC, fire safety, and building code upgrades; $9 million for roof and structural repairs; and $60 million for replacing aging electrical, water, and steam infrastructure. These repairs directly address immediate safety risks and system failures affecting the university's campus operations and facilities. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, with funding designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
SB 149 authorizes Henderson County to construct community college buildings (including renovations and repairs) on Blue Ridge Community College's campuses within the county, overriding certain existing procurement laws. The county can finance these projects through bonds or state appropriations, with the college temporarily transferring property as security for financing (returned once paid off), and must lease completed buildings back to the college. This directly affects Henderson County (as the builder) and Blue Ridge Community College (as the lessee), requiring ongoing consultation between the county and college board during construction.
SB 157 allocates $100,000 from North Carolina's General Fund to Johnson C. Smith University for its Inclusive Tech-Innovation Pilot Project. The funds will support creating a community hub that uses broadband technology to foster economic growth and collaboration in the local area. The bill directs a nonrecurring grant specifically for this pilot program, which aims to connect the university with surrounding neighborhoods. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not change existing laws or regulations.
SB 174 authorizes Rutherford County to build community college facilities on Isothermal Community College's campuses within the county, overriding certain existing laws that would otherwise restrict such construction. The bill allows the county to finance these buildings through specific funding methods (like bonds under Chapter 159 of state law), temporarily transfer college property as security for financing, and then lease the completed buildings back to the college under agreed terms. This directly affects Rutherford County (as the builder) and Isothermal Community College (as the lessee and recipient of the facilities). The law requires the county to consult with the college board during planning and comply with specific state statutes regarding construction and financing.
HB 962 allocates $25 million in one-time funds to East Carolina University's College of Engineering and Technology for building improvements and equipment upgrades, and $4 million annually during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to expand faculty positions. The bill directly affects ECU's engineering programs by providing resources to modernize facilities and hire additional staff. These funds are designated for specific uses - infrastructure and equipment for the first allocation, and personnel expansion for the second - without specifying outcomes. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and is currently pending in the House Appropriations Committee.
