Bill
HB 1026
Allows NC public schools to use limited remote instruction during emergencies (weather/energy outages) and requires annual plans/reports to track usage.
Title: Remote Instruction for Excess Emergencies
Sponsor: Rep. Lambeth (with multiple co-sponsors)
Purpose
- To authorize public school units in North Carolina to use additional remote instruction time (days or hours) beyond current allowances during emergencies, specifically in response to severe weather, energy shortages, power failures, or other eligible emergencies.
- The bill aims to provide a framework for counting remote instruction toward required instructional time and to improve continuity of learning during extended emergencies.
Key Provisions
1) Remote Instruction Allowances (pursuant to G.S. 115C-84.3)
- For counties with a good cause waiver (per G.S. 115C-84.2(d)):
- Public school units may use up to 15 remote instruction days or 90 remote instruction hours when schools cannot open due to emergencies.
- These remote days/hours can be counted toward the required instructional days/hours in the school calendar.
- For other public school units not operating under a good cause waiver:
- May use up to 5 remote instruction days or 30 remote instruction hours under emergency conditions.
- If a unit has exhausted these remote instruction allowances and an emergency persists or recurs, the unit may add up to:
- An additional 3 remote instruction days or 15 remote instruction hours.
- Any use of the additional remote instruction time must comply with reporting requirements (subsection (d)(8)).
2) Restrictions
- Remote instruction cannot generally be used to satisfy the minimum required number of instructional days/hours, except under the explicit allowances described above.
- If a unit uses remote instruction, it must still comply with applicable reporting and accountability requirements.
3) Annual Remote Instruction Plan and Reporting (to the State Board)
- Governing boards electing to use remote instruction must submit by July 1 each year a plan detailing:
- A framework for delivering quality remote instruction for the upcoming school year.
- The number of remote instruction days/hours used in the prior year.
- Specific reporting requirements include:
- Total remote instruction days/hours used in the prior year.
- Number of additional remote instruction days/hours used under the extra emergency allowance and a description of the emergency.
- Whether any remote instructional time deviated from the submitted plan, and, if so, how.
4) Fiscal Note
- An appropriation of $5,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction is provided for the 2026-2027 fiscal year (recurring) to cover increased administrative costs and technical assistance related to enforcing this act.
5) Effective Date
- The act becomes effective July 1, 2026 and applies starting with the 2026-2027 school year.
Affected Parties
- Public school units (districts and schools) in North Carolina.
- The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for administration and enforcement.
- Governing boards/school districts responsible for submitting remote instruction plans and annual reports.
Impact Overview
- Expands the use of remote instruction during emergencies beyond current limits.
- Provides a structured path for districts to recover instructional time without compromising accountability.
- Adds a reporting framework to monitor usage and ensure transparency.
- Requires administrative capacity at the DPI level to oversee compliance, supported by a small recurring funding allocation.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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