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HB 723

Technology Coalitions Strategic Support Fund.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Mary Belk and 9 co-sponsors

NC establishes the Technology Coalitions Strategic Support Fund to fund regional tech coalitions, boosting state tech growth and secure supply chains with $10.5M for 2025-26.

Passed 1st Reading
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Bill Summary · HB 723

HB 723 — Technology Coalitions Strategic Support Fund (North Carolina)

Status: Introduced Apr 3, 2025; effective date July 1, 2025 (if enacted)
Primary sponsors: Reps. Logan, Ross, Belk, Reives (and others)

Purpose / Intent

Establish a state-managed grant program to accelerate regional, technology‑based economic growth by supporting “technology coalitions” — networks of industry, academic, nonprofit, and government partners — and by aligning State investments to help scale critical and secure supply chains in targeted technology sectors.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the North Carolina Technology Coalitions Strategic Support Fund as a special fund in the Department of Commerce. The Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation (OSTI) administers grants with oversight from the Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation (§143B‑437.84).
  • Appropriation: $10,500,000 (text describes this amount as nonrecurring funds for FY 2025–2026) to be allocated to the Fund.
  • Administrative retention: Department may retain the greater of $150,000 or 2% of the appropriation annually for administration.
  • Eligible recipients: organizations representing a technology coalition with principal place of operation in North Carolina — examples include industry alliances, nonprofits, local governments, academic institutions, or State agencies.
  • Eligible technology sectors (illustrative, not exclusive): artificial intelligence; high‑performance computing & semiconductors; quantum science & technology; advanced manufacturing; disaster prevention; advanced communications; cybersecurity; biotechnology; advanced energy; materials science.
  • Grant uses (limited to):
    1) Coalition infrastructure support (market/economic analyses, workforce training, private/federal grant identification & submission assistance, coalition events); and
    2) Cost‑match allowances to help coalitions secure non‑State funding (private, foundation, federal) that advances regional industry growth.
  • Eligibility and recipient requirements: must certify funds will be used solely within the State, retain principal NC operations while receiving funds (or for a term set by OSTI), apply on a prescribed sworn form with specified information, not receive duplicate funding for the same purpose, and use funds only for awarded activities.
  • Board authority and limits: the Board may cap cost‑match amounts and number of awards per recipient, require matching funds or in‑kind contributions, and set prioritization rules.
  • Rulemaking and public process: Department must publish proposed guidelines at least 20 days before they take effect and accept oral/written comments during a 15 business‑day comment period; defines “technical amendment.”

Who is affected

  • Directly: regional technology coalitions and organizations (industry consortia, nonprofits, colleges, local governments) that apply for grants.
  • Indirectly: regional economies, workforce training providers, OSTI, Department of Commerce, and the Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Fund and program become effective July 1, 2025.
  • Department must adopt guidelines and follow the specified public notice and comment timelines before implementing program details.
  • Appropriation language funds initial grants for FY 2025–26 (described as nonrecurring).

Potential impacts

  • Provides seed/state matching funding to help coalitions leverage larger private, federal, or philanthropic investments.
  • Intended to build regional capacity (workforce, market analysis, grant competitiveness) and to strengthen supply‑chain resilience in targeted technology sectors.
  • Fiscal impact: initial state commitment of $10.5 million (FY 2025–26); administrative set‑aside up to the greater of $150,000 or 2% of annual appropriation.

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

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