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Bill Summary · HB 671

Summary — HB 671 (Competitive Speech and Debate Grant Pilot)

Status: Committee Substitute Favorable (reported)
Introduced: 2025 (filed for 2025–26 session)
Effective date: July 1, 2025 (applies to 2025–2026 school year)
Subjects: Appropriations; Curriculum; K–12 Education; Grants; Extracurriculars

Purpose

Establish a four‑year pilot grant program to help North Carolina public high schools (grades 9–12) create, maintain, or expand competitive speech and debate teams and support student participation in interscholastic competition.

Key provisions

  • Program established: Competitive Speech and Debate Team Grant Pilot Program (Program). Runs from the 2025–2026 school year through the end of 2028–2029, to the extent funds are available.
  • Eligibility: Any public school unit that includes a high school (grades 9–12) may apply to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
  • Application timeline:
    • DPI publishes criteria by August 1 each year funds are available.
    • Applications accepted through September 30 each school year.
    • Awards announced by October 31.
    • Applications must include at minimum a proposed team budget.
  • Award amounts and allowable uses:
    • Grants up to $10,000 per team per school year.
    • Grants may include only two coach stipends: up to $2,500 for a lead coach and up to $1,500 for an assistant.
    • Funds may be used for coach stipends, league/competition fees, and travel to competitions.
  • Participation requirements:
    • Teams receiving funds must participate in the Tarheel Forensic League and the National Speech and Debate Association.
    • Students whose home school lacks a team may join the geographically closest school’s team; the student is responsible for transportation. Local team selection and academic eligibility rules may still apply.
  • Reporting: By February 15 each applicable year, DPI must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division on:
    • Grant recipients and amounts
    • How funds were used
    • Applicants not awarded grants
    • Measurable academic performance changes for participating students
  • Governance: Two additional, non‑state‑employee board members are added to the Tarheel Forensic League by legislative appointment (four‑year terms; no compensation).
  • Appropriation: $500,000 in nonrecurring General Fund dollars per fiscal year for each of FY 2025–26, FY 2026–27, FY 2027–28, and FY 2028–29 to DPI to administer the pilot.

Who is affected

  • Public high schools and local school administrative units (applicants/recipients)
  • Students (particularly those in schools without existing teams)
  • Coaches and extracurricular staff (potential stipends)
  • DPI, Tarheel Forensic League, National Speech and Debate Association, and legislative oversight entities

Potential impact and notes

  • At the $10,000 maximum award, the $500,000 annual appropriation could fully fund roughly 50 teams per year (500,000 / 10,000 = 50). Actual distribution may vary.
  • The pilot aims to expand access to speech/debate opportunities, support competitive participation costs, and track academic outcomes for participants.
  • Program success will be evaluated via the mandated yearly reports; continuation or expansion would require further legislative action and funding after the pilot period.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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