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HB 419

School of the Arts Building Purchase.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Amber Baker and 7 co-sponsors

A one-time $4.5 million General Fund appropriation is authorized to UNC School of the Arts to purchase property adjacent to the Stevens Center in Winston-Salem, outside normal proc

Passed 1st Reading
0
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Bill Summary · HB 419

Summary — HB 419: School of the Arts Building Purchase

Main purpose

HB 419 authorizes a one‑time appropriation to purchase a specific property in Winston‑Salem for use by The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). The bill directs state funds to the UNC Board of Trustees to acquire real property and improvements adjacent to the Stevens Center.

Key provisions

  • Appropriation: $4,500,000 in nonrecurring General Fund dollars is appropriated to the Board of Trustees of The University of North Carolina for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
  • Use: Funds are designated to purchase real property and improvements located at 411 W. 4th Street, Winston‑Salem — described as adjacent to the Stevens Center — for the UNCSA.
  • Procurement exception: The appropriation is made “notwithstanding G.S. 143C‑5‑2 and Article 6 of Chapter 146,” i.e., the purchase is authorized outside the State’s usual competitive procurement and construction statutes.
  • Effective date: If enacted, the act becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Fiscal impact

  • Direct cost: One‑time General Fund expenditure of $4.5 million in FY 2025–26 (nonrecurring).
  • Ongoing costs: The bill does not appropriate funds for ongoing operations, maintenance, or capital improvements beyond acquisition; such costs would be borne by UNC/UNCSA and could appear in future budgets. No other state or local recurring revenues are specified.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiary: The University of North Carolina School of the Arts — gains ownership (or control) of property adjacent to the Stevens Center to support campus needs.
  • State finances: General Fund reduced by a one‑time $4.5M appropriation.
  • Local impact: Winston‑Salem / Forsyth County — potential campus expansion and related local property/use changes; local government not required to participate.
  • Procurement vendors/contractors: Normal state procurement procedures are waived for this acquisition, limiting competitive procurement opportunities for this specific transaction.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced: November 12, 2024 (filed).
  • First reading / early actions: Bill received initial reading(s) in early 2025 and was referred to relevant committees (Public Education; Appropriations as appropriate).
  • Effective upon enactment: Section specifies July 1, 2025 effective date.
  • Current status (as provided): The bill is recorded as having passed first reading; related entries indicate committee referrals. (A notation in the provided record indicates the measure was “Currently Indefinitely Postponed” as of 2025‑05‑06 — consult the official legislative docket for the most current status.)

Practical considerations / implications

  • The procurement exception expedites this single property purchase but limits competitive oversight for this transaction.
  • The one‑time appropriation enables a near‑term campus acquisition; long‑term operating and capital costs resulting from ownership (maintenance, utilities, renovations) are not funded by this bill and would require separate appropriations or UNC resources.

For the latest procedural status or text amendments, consult the North Carolina General Assembly bill page or committee reports.

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

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