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Bill Summary · SB 157

SB 157 — Funds for Johnson C. Smith Tech Project

Status: Passed 1st Reading (introduced January 23, 2025)
Subject areas: Appropriations, Higher Education, Emerging Technologies, Broadband/Telecommunications, Pilot Programs

Main purpose

SB 157 provides a targeted, one-time state grant to Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) to support an “Inclusive Tech‑Innovation Pilot Project.” The project is intended to create a connected, broadband‑enabled anchor community that advances economic growth, digital inclusion, and technology access in the university’s surrounding community.

Key provisions

  • Appropriation: $100,000 (nonrecurring) from the State General Fund for fiscal year 2025–2026.
  • Recipient/Administration: Funds are appropriated to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) to issue a directed grant to Johnson C. Smith University.
  • Purpose: Support JCSU’s Inclusive Tech‑Innovation Pilot Project — activities described in the bill focus on leveraging broadband and related technologies to promote community economic development and connectivity.
  • Effective date: The act is set to take effect July 1, 2025 (as specified in the bill).

The bill text is concise: it authorizes a single, directed grant of $100,000 to JCSU for the stated pilot project and does not specify matching requirements, detailed reporting or oversight mechanisms beyond the appropriation and grant administration.

Who is affected

  • Direct beneficiary: Johnson C. Smith University (private, historically Black university in Charlotte, NC).
  • Intended indirect beneficiaries: residents of the anchor community around JCSU (residents, students, local businesses), local workforce development and small business ecosystems, and broadband/telecom providers engaged in the project.
  • State budget: one‑time $100,000 expenditure from the General Fund in FY 2025–26 (nonrecurring).

Implementation and timeline

  • Funds are for FY 2025–2026 and are nonrecurring.
  • OSBM administers the directed grant; JCSU is responsible for implementing the pilot project with the grant proceeds.
  • The bill’s effective date is July 1, 2025; any project activities funded by this appropriation would be expected to occur within the 2025–26 fiscal year unless otherwise managed by OSBM/JCSU.

Notes and limitations

  • The bill does not include programmatic detail (scope, performance metrics, reporting or sunset beyond the nonrecurring appropriation).
  • Fiscal impact to the state is limited to the single $100,000 appropriation; longer‑term costs or additional funding are not authorized by this bill.

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

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