A new bill filed by State Rep. Robert T. Reives, II seeks to revise the community college funding model and enhance support for workforce education and related initiatives, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 365 on March 11 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Workforce Education Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates the State Board of Community Colleges to revise its funding model, establish an Enrollment Increase Reserve, and allocate funds based on full-time equivalent enrollment for programs like workforce education. It appropriates $94 million in recurring and $6 million nonrecurring funds for these initiatives. The bill expands cooperative innovative high school funding according to county development tiers, with $40 million allocated for this purpose. It creates grant programs through the Department of Public Instruction, providing $30 million for STEM education, $20 million for career and technical education, and $25 million for industry-school partnerships. Additionally, $10 million is dedicated to promoting community college enrollment through awareness campaigns. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Grant L. Campbell, MD proposed the most bills (23) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Reives graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992 with a BA and again in 1995 from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a JD.
Reives, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2014 to represent the state’s 54th House district, replacing previous state representative Deb McManus.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert T. Reives, II, David Willis, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and James Roberson | HB 365 | 03/11/2025 | Workforce Education Act. |
| Robert T. Reives, II, Donna McDowell White, Howard Penny, Jr., and Renée A. Price | HB 363 | 03/11/2025 | Reg. Public Trans. Authority Service Area. |
| Robert T. Reives, II, Matthew Winslow, Mike Schietzelt, and Phil Rubin | HB 360 | 03/10/2025 | Homeowner Protection Act. |
| Robert T. Reives, II, Matthew Winslow, Mike Schietzelt, and Ya Liu | HB 361 | 03/10/2025 | Funds to Fight Deed and Title Fraud. |
| Robert T. Reives, II, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Carson Smith, and Charles W. Miller | HB 315 | 03/05/2025 | Gift Card Theft & Unlawful Business Entry. |
| Robert T. Reives, II, Donna McDowell White, and Garland E. Pierce | HB 280 | 03/04/2025 | Support for the Senior Tar Heel Legislature. |
| Robert T. Reives, II, John R. Bell, IV, Stephen M. Ross, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 283 | 03/04/2025 | Small Business Investment Grant Program. |
| Robert T. Reives, II and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 252 | 02/27/2025 | Steele Creek Investment and Improvement Act. |
| Robert T. Reives, II | HB 195 | 02/25/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Chatham Co. |
| Robert T. Reives, II and Donna McDowell White | HB 196 | 02/25/2025 | Funds Museum of Life and Science Exhibit/Lab. |
| Robert T. Reives, II, Diane Wheatley, Donna McDowell White, and Mike Clampitt | HB 141 | 02/17/2025 | The Joe John Remembrance Act. |
| Robert T. Reives, II, Dante Pittman, Donnie Loftis, and Edward C. Goodwin | HB 110 | 02/12/2025 | Nat.l Guard Student Loan Repayment Program. |
| Robert T. Reives, II | HB 111 | 02/12/2025 | SchCalFlex/Chatham/Aug 10 & Assmnts. |
