North Carolina HB 1142: Benefit Parity for EMS/TSERS/LGERS.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 1142

Short Title: Expand Quantum Computing Education. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives Hawkins and Charles Smith (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Appropriations, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and
Operations of the House
May 4, 2026
*H1142-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO EXPAND ACCESS TO QUANTUM COMPUTING CLASSES FOR PUBLIC 2
SCHOOL STUDENTS, TO ESTABLISH THE QUANTUM COMPUTING GRANT 3
PROGRAM AT THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLABORATORY, AND TO CREATE AN 4
INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN BUSINESSES. 5
Whereas, quantum computing is a critical emerging technology that will have 6
implications for the security of the United States and the State of North Carolina; and 7
Whereas, military families tend to continue to serve and give back to North Carolina 8
and the United States; and 9
Whereas, North Carolina has one of the largest military populations in the United 10
States; and 11
Whereas, North Carolina is one of the leading states in the nation for innovation, 12
technology, and entrepreneurship; and 13
Whereas, North Carolina's K-12 and higher education system is key to the economic 14
success of North Carolina and the businesses that bring jobs to the State; and 15
Whereas, it is crucial that North Carolina invest in the educational programs necessary 16
to train the post-quantum workforce, support the innovation economy, and defend our national 17
security; Now, therefore, 18
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 19
20
PART I. EXPAND ACCESS TO GRADE SCHOOL CLASSES THAT PREPARE 21
STUDENTS FOR QUANTUM COMPUTING 22
SECTION 1.(a) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of 23
Public Instruction (Department) the sum of two million six hundred thousand dollars 24
($2,600,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year for the development, expansion, 25
or continuation of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs that 26
assist students in developing the academic background necessary to later pursue apprenticeships, 27
internships, degree programs, or employment in quantum computing. The funds shall be 28
allocated as follows: 29
(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) to be divided equally among all public 30
school units located within the geographical boundaries of any local school 31
administrative unit that contains any portion of a military base or installation. 32
(2) Two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) to Durham Public Schools. 33
(3) Two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) to Orange County Schools. 34

General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 1142-First Edition
(4) Two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) to Wake County Schools. 1
SECTION 1.(b) The funds allocated pursuant to this section may be used for any of 2
the following: 3
(1) Hiring or providing stipends to STEM teachers. Public school units are 4
encouraged to prioritize hiring or providing stipends to teachers at the high 5
school level with interest or background in quantum computing, physics, 6
computing, or cryptography. 7
(2) Develop, expand, or continue collaborative or experiential learning 8
opportunities where students work with businesses, nonprofits, or higher 9
education institutions. 10
(3) Specialized summer STEM programs that include lab research or applied 11
learning. 12
SECTION 1.(c) No later than April 1, 2027, the Department shall report to the Joint 13
Legislative Education Oversight Committee the following information: 14
(1) A description of the classes or learning opportunities offered with funds 15
allocated pursuant to this section. 16
(2) A detailed description of how funds were spent. 17
(3) The number of students that participated in the classes or learning 18
opportunities offered as a result of the funding provided by this section. 19
(4) Any increases in student performance or outcomes in STEM programs. 20
(5) Any other information the Department deems relevant to evaluating the 21
effectiveness of funding allocated pursuant to this section. 22
SECTION 1.(d) This section becomes effective July 1, 2026. 23
24
PART II. QUANTUM COMPUTING GRANT PROGRAM 25
SECTION 2.(a) Program; Purpose. – There is established the Quantum Computing 26
Grant Program (Program) to be administered by the North Carolina Collaboratory for the 27
2026-2027 academic year. The purpose of the Program shall be to provide opportunities for high 28
school students in North Carolina public school units and Department of Defense schools to work 29
with institutions of higher education on current issues in quantum computing and other emerging 30
technologies, including educational programming, interactive and applied learning opportunities, 31
and research. 32
SECTION 2.(b) Definitions. – For purposes of this section, the following definitions 33
apply: 34
(1) Collaboratory. – The North Car