Education (Higher Education)

passed · North Carolina · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SB 1006: K-12 Innovation and Transformation Act.

This bill creates the North Carolina High School Redesign Commission to study and recommend ways to better prepare students for college and careers by exploring flexible diploma requirements, work-based learning, and competency-based education. The fifteen-member commission includes representatives from the legislature, governor, universities, community colleges, and business organizations, and it must submit its findings by April 2027. Additionally, the legislation appropriates $3.6 million to fund a pilot program for ten high schools focused on STEM education and manufacturing skills. The bill also establishes a new procedure to monitor and prevent local school districts from spending more than their state-funded allotments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a commission to explore flexible diplomas and work-based learning, and appropriates $3.6M to advance educational innovation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1096: First in Flight Act.

HB 1096, the First in Flight Act, allocates state funding to support North Carolina's aerospace industry and airport infrastructure. The bill creates a new aviation capital project account to provide grants to airports for modernization projects, provided those projects are linked to agreements with aerospace businesses. Additionally, it establishes an aerospace apprenticeship program and funds community college training initiatives to develop a skilled workforce in the sector. These measures aim to strengthen the state's economic position in aviation by improving facilities and expanding educational opportunities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding for aerospace projects, airport modernization, and workforce training programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill funds community college training and establishes an aerospace apprenticeship program to develop a skilled workforce.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds aerospace apprenticeships and workforce training, directly expanding employment opportunities and skill development for workers.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates funding to modernize aviation infrastructure and develop a skilled aerospace workforce, directly advancing the technology sector.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates state funding for airport modernization, apprenticeships, and workforce training to strengthen aviation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Apprenticeships Airports

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 1061: Plyler Educational Protections Act.

This bill, known as the Plyler Educational Protections Act, ensures that all children in North Carolina public schools receive equal access to education regardless of their immigration status or their parents' citizenship. It prohibits schools from denying enrollment, excluding students from programs, or asking for documentation related to a student's or parent's immigration history, with limited exceptions for legal warrants or parental consent. To enforce these protections, the legislation requires schools to create specific action plans that designate a single point of contact for immigration authorities and establish clear procedures for handling their requests on campus. Additionally, the bill mandates that schools notify parents within 24 hours if immigration officials visit the school and provides guidelines for sharing student information only when legally required or authorized.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by prohibiting schools from denying enrollment based on immigration status, directly strengthening student inclusion.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill protects immigrant children's right to education regardless of status, prohibiting schools from denying enrollment or requesting immigration documentation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Citizenship & Naturalization DACA & Dreamers

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1005: We Need More Midwives Act.

This bill creates the Midwifery Education Grant Program to increase the number of midwives in North Carolina by funding training programs at specific University of North Carolina institutions. It provides up to $20 million in state funds to support eligible universities that offer advanced nursing degrees but currently lack certified nurse-midwife training programs. To receive grants, institutions must partner with a hospital, submit a budget, and commit to graduating at least 20 midwives within five years, with priority given to historically black colleges and universities. The legislation appropriates $4 million per institution and requires the university system to report on grant usage and program timelines to state oversight committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $20M in state funds to expand midwifery education and healthcare access.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $20M to fund midwifery training programs at UNC institutions, expanding higher education access and professional development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $20M to fund midwifery training, increasing healthcare provider access and strengthening maternal health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 1004: Family Support for Those Who Serve Act.

This bill expands tuition waivers at North Carolina community colleges to children of public safety workers who are injured or disabled in the line of duty. It specifically allows children aged 17 to 24 to attend classes for free if their parent is a law enforcement officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or experienced correctional officer with at least 10 years of service. The legislation removes previous time limits on these waivers for community college students, ensuring they can attend for the full duration needed to complete their program. Eligible students must still meet standard admission requirements, and the changes will take effect starting with the 2026-2027 academic year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides financial support and benefits to families of public safety workers, directly aiding those serving in the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands tuition waivers for community college students, directly increasing access to higher education and reducing financial barriers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands tuition waivers for children of injured public safety workers, enhancing benefits for this specific labor group.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Higher Education

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1140: State Employee Bereavement Leave/Up To 40 Hrs.

This bill establishes a paid bereavement leave program for state employees, public school staff, and community college workers in North Carolina, effective July 1, 2026. It grants up to 40 hours of paid time off for the death of an immediate family member and up to eight hours for the death of a colleague who worked at the same agency within the past year. The legislation requires employees to provide documentation of the death and mandates that leave for family members be used within 180 days, while also allocating $2 million from the state budget to fund these benefits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands paid leave benefits for public school staff, supporting educators and improving their work-life balance.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands paid bereavement leave benefits for state employees and public school staff, strengthening worker protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Public Employees

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1133: Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Historically Minority-Serving Institutions Omnibus.

HB 1133 aims to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions in North Carolina through three main actions. First, it establishes a temporary committee to study the physical condition of HBCU buildings, including safety risks, age, and maintenance needs, with a report due in early 2027. Second, it creates a permanent financial aid program for students at specific UNC constituent institutions, providing up to $1,000 per year to help cover costs for those who need financial assistance to graduate on time. Third, the bill allocates nonrecurring funds in the 2026-2027 fiscal year for specific infrastructure repairs and renovations at Winston-Salem State University.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a permanent financial aid program and establishes a study for HBCU infrastructure, indicating increased funding and support for education.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a study for HBCU infrastructure and creates a financial aid program, directly strengthening educational access and funding for minority-serving institutions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 887: Compensation for Wrongfully Detained Persons.

SB 887 creates a new legal process for individuals in North Carolina who were detained by the state or local authorities and later found by a court to have been unlawfully held. Under this bill, affected persons can petition the Industrial Commission for financial compensation if their detention caused harm, with a maximum award of $750,000 and eligibility for additional support such as job training, college tuition, and reimbursement for lost wages. The legislation establishes a five-year deadline for filing claims and designates $1 million in state funds to cover potential payouts, with the measure taking effect retroactively to October 1, 2021.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides compensation for wrongfully detained individuals, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights within the criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides college tuition and job training to wrongfully detained persons, directly enhancing educational access and support for affected individuals.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Higher Education

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 872: Education Center at Harnett Correctional.

SB 872 allocates $30 million from the state's General Fund to build an education center at Harnett Correctional Institution in North Carolina. The funds will support specific programs for offenders, including the Sexual Offender Accountability and Responsibility Program, four-year degrees with Campbell University and Fayetteville State University, and shorter certifications or degrees with Central Carolina Community College. This legislation directly affects the Department of Adult Correction and the incarcerated population at Harnett Correctional Institution by authorizing the construction and programming of the new facility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $30M from the General Fund to build an education center, directly funding essential correctional education programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds education and rehabilitation programs for inmates, directly reducing recidivism and strengthening the correctional system.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $30M to build an education center and fund degrees/certifications for inmates, expanding educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1209: Strengthen Education by Embedded New Teacher Support.

HB 1209 appropriates $1 million in recurring state funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to expand the North Carolina New Teacher Support Program. The money is directed to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors to provide embedded instructional coaching and professional development for beginning teachers within local school districts. Key provisions include partnering with teacher training programs to extend support after graduation, aligning coaching with evidence-based practices, and prioritizing high-need rural areas to help retain new educators. This legislation aims to create a more coherent system for teacher development by connecting pre-service training with ongoing in-district support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $1 million in recurring state funds to expand teacher support programs, directly increasing funding for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $1M to expand teacher support and professional development, directly strengthening education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers

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