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HB 708

Increase Robotics Opportunities and Build Our Talents (IROBOT) - Increasing Robotics Opportunities.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Amber Baker and 17 co-sponsors

Creates the Educational and Competitive High School Robotics Grant Program to fund after-school robotics for NC high schools, administered by DPI, with $2.5M recurring for 2025–26.

Passed 1st Reading
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Bill Summary · HB 708

HB 708 — IROBOT — Increasing Robotics Opportunities (North Carolina)

Status: Passed 1st Reading (Filed 11/12/2024)
Primary sponsor: Rep. T. Brown (with co-sponsors listed in edition)
Subject areas: Education; Grants; STEM; Secondary education; Curriculum; Appropriations

Main purpose

Establish an ongoing, state‑administered grant program to expand and sustain evidence‑based, after‑school robotics education and competitive robotics programs for high school students, with the goal of increasing student interest and career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Key provisions

  • Establishes the Educational and Competitive High School Robotics Grant Program (codified as G.S. 115C‑238.90).
    • Program purpose: (i) promote evidence‑based, after‑school robotics education and competition for high school students; (ii) motivate students toward STEM careers and build work/life skills.
    • Operation clause: Program operates in any year funds are made available.
  • Eligible applicants:
    • Any robotics team coordinated through a public school unit or a community organization (nonprofit or for‑profit entity serving school‑aged children).
    • Applicants must have or plan to establish a relationship with an approved “robotics partner” (third‑party such as a nonprofit or institution of higher education).
    • Required robotics partner criteria (minimum):
    • Statewide or national presence in robotics education/competition.
    • Provides instruction/programming for students and adult volunteers in robotics education, project‑based learning, and competitive robotics.
    • Promotes a safe and equitable social environment.
  • Application process and timeline:
    • Department of Public Instruction (DPI) must publish application criteria by August 1 each year.
    • DPI accepts applications until September 30.
    • Grants awarded by October 31.
    • Applications must include evidence of a robotics partner relationship and a proposed budget.
  • Permitted uses of grant funds:
    • Establish or support relationship with a robotics partner.
    • Purchase robotics kits, parts, or supplies.
    • Provide stipends for coaches.
    • Pay participation fees for robotics leagues/competitions.
    • Cover administrative fees for running a robotics team.
  • Reporting requirements:
    • By October 15 annually, DPI must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division on:
    • Grant recipients (teams, coordinating school units/community organizations) and amounts awarded.
    • Robotics partner for each team.
    • Number of applicants denied grants.
    • Evidence of measurable academic improvement among participating students.
  • Appropriation:
    • $2,500,000 in recurring General Fund appropriated to DPI for the 2025–2026 fiscal year to establish and administer the program.
  • Other statutory change:
    • Clarifies G.S. 115C‑379(b) to require principals to make reasonable accommodations for excused absences to participate in school‑sanctioned academic competitions (explicitly including high school robotics).
  • Effective dates:
    • Subsection regarding appropriations (1(b)) effective July 1, 2025.
    • The remainder of the act effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2025–2026 school year.

Who is affected

  • Primary: high school students, robotics teams, coaches, and coordinating public school units or community organizations in North Carolina.
  • Secondary: approved robotics partners (nonprofits, higher‑ed institutions), Department of Public Instruction (administers program and reporting), and the State budget (recurring appropriation).
  • Potential local impact: increased participation in competitions may affect school scheduling (excused absences) and local support structures.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Educational/Programmatic: Provides targeted funding to reduce equipment/fee barriers, support coaches, and expand competitive robotics access—likely to increase STEM engagement and teamwork/project‑based skills.
  • Fiscal: Direct recurring appropriation of $2.5 million for 2025–26; ongoing cost beyond that depends on future appropriations (“to the extent funds are made available”).
  • Administrative: DPI will need to develop application criteria, manage awards, monitor grantee use, and produce annual outcome reports.
  • Equity/Quality: The robotics partner standards and reporting requirement aim to ensure program quality and measurable student outcomes; program eligibility includes community organizations, widening participation beyond traditional school teams.

For more detail, see G.S. 115C‑238.90 (as added) and the bill’s appropriation language.

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

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