North Carolina reallocates funds and changes disaster and school programs

Qualifying infrastructure needs may qualify for Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program funding. The provision covers infrastructure needs with permits obtained or construction started before Hurricane Helene, including privately built infrastructure transferred to a public entity. The project must meet all other program requirements. A grant may cover only actual costs to repair damage directly caused by Hurricane Helene. The grant may not cover unrelated cost increases. The Department must reconsider earlier closed or denied applications that would qualify under these added criteria. The provision applies to applications pending or submitted when this act becomes law and takes effect when the act becomes law.

The Department of Public Instruction shall award competitive grants to selected public school applicants for speech and debate teams. Any public school unit with a school serving grades 9 through 12 may apply, and each team may receive up to $10,000 for the school year. Funds may pay for limited coach stipends, league or competition costs, and travel. Funded teams must participate in the Tarheel Forensic League and the National Speech and Debate Association. Students whose schools lack a team may join the closest participating public school team, but they must provide their own transportation. The act provides $250,000 for the program in recurring? no, nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2026-2027. The program covers the 2026-2027 school year, and the Department must award grants by October 31, 2026.

The Board of Transportation may set fees for listed Department of Transportation services. The authority covers services such as express permit reviews, driveway connections, traffic studies, utility crossings, private bridges, and electric-vehicle charging stations at rest areas. The Board must hold a public hearing before setting a fee. A fee may not exceed the Department's actual cost of providing the service. The Board may not delegate this authority to the Transportation Secretary. This provision takes effect under the act's general effective date of July 1, 2026, unless another provision applies.