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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-03

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill allows certain children of parents holding H-1B or L-1 work visas to pay in-state tuition rates at North Carolina public universities if they are lawfully present in the United States and establish domicile in North Carolina. The bill applies to students with H-4 visas or those continuously enrolled who held an H-4 visa at some point during their enrollment.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill helps address North Carolina's projected workforce shortage of 71,000 workers by 2030 by removing financial barriers that prevent qualified students from completing college degrees.
• •They contend that these students' families already contribute billions in taxes to fund public universities, and expanding access to in-state tuition rates will increase the number of educated workers with industry-valued credentials entering the North Carolina workforce.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue that in-state tuition benefits should prioritize North Carolina citizens and permanent residents over visa holders, and that providing tuition discounts based on visa status could be seen as preferential treatment.
• •Some may also express concerns about whether this policy could incentivize visa-holder families to prioritize North Carolina or question whether state resources should subsidize tuition for non-citizens when budget pressures exist.