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Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2026-04-22

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill appropriates $196,760 to North Carolina State University to create and evaluate a pilot pickleball wellness program in eastern Wake, Halifax, and Lenoir Counties. The program aims to increase physical activity, social connection, and mental well-being in communities with limited access to recreational resources through weekly pickleball instruction and gameplay, with results to be used to develop a toolkit for similar programs statewide.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill addresses health equity by providing affordable recreational opportunities in underserved communities identified as having limited access to safe spaces for physical activity.
• •Pickleball is presented as a low-cost, inclusive activity suitable for various fitness levels, and the pilot program will generate evidence-based data and reusable resources that could expand wellness initiatives across North Carolina.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may question whether pickleball is the most effective use of limited state funds for addressing health disparities, or whether the $196,760 investment represents the best approach compared to other health or recreational initiatives.
• •Some may also note concerns about whether a single-sport pilot program can sustainably address broader issues of health equity and recreational access in economically disadvantaged regions.