Labor & Employment

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1082: Tax Relief for Working Families Act.

HB 1082, titled the Tax Relief for Working Families Act, would reinstate North Carolina's state Earned Income Tax Credit for families with children. The bill establishes a refundable tax credit equal to 5% of the federal credit amount claimed by eligible taxpayers, with a specific provision for the 2013 tax year that sets the rate at 4.5%. If the calculated credit exceeds the taxpayer's state tax liability, the difference is refunded to them. Although the legislation includes a sunset clause that would repeal the credit after the 2013 tax year, the act is scheduled to take effect for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief and refundable credits to working families, directly advancing tax reduction goals for lower-income households.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides tax credits to working families, effectively increasing disposable income and supporting worker financial well-being.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1130: Re-Professionalizing the Teaching Profession.

HB 1130 aims to improve conditions for public school teachers and instructional staff in North Carolina by adjusting pay structures and offering financial incentives for advanced certification. The bill reinstates education-based salary supplements for the 2025-2026 school year and allocates funds to support these payments starting in 2026-2027. It also establishes a forgivable loan program to help teachers cover the costs of obtaining National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, provided they achieve this credential within five years. Additionally, the legislation sets a new monthly salary schedule based on years of experience and grants a 12% monthly salary increase to teachers who hold NBPTS certification. Local school administrators will gain more flexibility in setting school calendars as part of the broader changes to teacher employment and quality of life.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds to increase teacher salaries and provides financial incentives, directly advancing public education budgeting.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases teacher pay, reinstates salary supplements, and offers loans for certification to improve the teaching profession.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases teacher pay, reinstates salary supplements, and offers financial incentives for certification, directly strengthening employment conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Professional Licensing

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 942: Reenact EITC.

This bill reenacts North Carolina's state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by updating the relevant law to apply for future tax years. It allows eligible low-to-moderate income individuals to receive a credit equal to 20% of their federal EITC amount, with the specific percentage varying based on the tax year. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive a cash payment even if it exceeds their state tax liability, and the legislation includes a provision to automatically repeal the credit starting in 2014, which is overridden by the bill's effective date of January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief and refundable credits to low-to-moderate income individuals, directly supporting fiscal management for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands worker benefits by providing a refundable tax credit to low-to-moderate income individuals, increasing their disposable income.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 882: Reenact EITC.

This bill reenacts North Carolina's state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for taxpayers filing returns for the year 2026 and beyond. It allows eligible individuals who claim the federal EITC to receive an additional state credit equal to 5% of their federal credit amount, with a special 4.5% rate applied to 2013 returns. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive the money even if it exceeds the taxes they owe, and it will automatically expire at the end of 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief via refundable credits for lower-income taxpayers, directly supporting budget and tax equity goals.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases disposable income for low-wage workers via tax credit, effectively supporting labor standards and economic stability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 903: Public Employees Deserve A Voice Act.

This bill repeals a North Carolina law that currently bans public employees from collectively bargaining with their employers. By removing this prohibition, the legislation allows government workers to negotiate contracts with unions or labor organizations representing them. The act also allocates $100,000 from the state General Fund to educate public employees about these new rights starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $100,000 from the state General Fund to educate public employees about new collective bargaining rights, directly advancing fiscal management and appropriations.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes prohibition on collective bargaining for public employees, directly advancing workers' rights and union organizing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 890: Keep Immigrant Talent in NC.

This bill creates a new fund within the North Carolina Department of Commerce to help high-skilled immigrant workers pay for the costs of keeping their legal work status, such as visa renewal fees and legal processing expenses. To qualify for reimbursement grants, individuals must live and work in North Carolina and meet specific criteria related to their education, job type, or visa classification. The state has allocated one million dollars in recurring funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover these grants and administrative costs. The Department of Commerce will be responsible for setting the rules for eligibility and managing the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1M recurring funds to support high-skilled immigrant workers, directly advancing state budget appropriations and economic development goals.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill creates a fund to help high-skilled immigrants pay for legal work status costs, directly advancing immigrant services and retention.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates a fund to help high-skilled immigrant workers pay for legal status maintenance, directly supporting workforce retention and employment stability.85% confidence

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 850: Pay Teachers What They're Worth Act.

This North Carolina bill aims to address teacher shortages by increasing salaries and creating new financial support for educators. It establishes a new monthly salary schedule for teachers starting in the 2026-2027 school year and reinstates specific pay bonuses for those with advanced degrees or professional certifications. Additionally, the legislation creates a grant program to help student teachers earn money while completing their training and directs a state study on how to further improve educator pay.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases teacher salaries and creates new funding/grants for educators, directly advancing the budget topic.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases teacher salaries, reinstates bonuses, and creates grants for student teachers to address shortages.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases teacher salaries, reinstates bonuses, and creates grants for student teachers, directly strengthening wages and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1178: The NC Teacher Pay Competitiveness Act.

HB 1178, known as the NC Teacher Pay Competitiveness Act, establishes a permanent salary increase plan for public school teachers in North Carolina to help the state compete with neighboring regions. The bill creates a new salary schedule that begins in the 2026-2027 school year and mandates annual raises of 3.67% until 2033, after which increases will be tied to federal employment cost data. Additionally, the legislation provides specific monthly bonuses for teachers with advanced certifications or degrees and adjusts funding for the Opportunity Scholarship program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates annual salary increases and funding for public school teachers, directly strengthening the budget allocation for education.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates salary increases and bonuses for teachers, directly strengthening educator compensation and retention.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates annual salary increases and establishes a new pay schedule for teachers, directly strengthening worker compensation and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 988: Protecting Workers in the Age of AI Act.

This North Carolina bill creates a new program to help workers who lose their jobs due to artificial intelligence or automation. It establishes a $50 million fund to pay for job retraining and education, with a focus on skilled trades like healthcare and advanced manufacturing. The law also requires companies receiving state economic incentives to report any layoffs caused by AI or automation. Finally, it directs the State Education Assistance Authority to transfer the necessary funds to the Department of Commerce to launch this program on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a $50 million fund for worker retraining and mandates reporting on AI layoffs, directly advancing fiscal management and funding essential programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $50M for job retraining and education, directly funding educational programs for displaced workers.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates a $50M fund for AI-displaced worker retraining and mandates reporting of AI-caused layoffs, directly protecting workers and supporting employment stability.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates a $50M fund to retrain workers displaced by AI, promoting digital equity and workforce adaptation to emerging technology.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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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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