In a 105-6 vote, the NC House approved a bill supported by Carolinas AGC calling for pay for industry certifications, credentials and bonus funding to be awarded to local administrative units. Under the bill, H968, students would be supported to earn approved industry certifications and credentials. Local school administrative units, in turn, would receive bonuses for each student earning an approved industry certification or credential.
Funding Proposal: The bill, as initially written, would appropriate $1,252,157 for 2013-14 and $7,011,200 for 2014-15 to pay for industry certifications, credentials and bonus funding to be awarded to local administrative units. The latest version of the bill that cleared the House was amended on the floor without the specific appropriations, as suggested by Rep. Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke, who said he hoped the budget bill would include the appropriations. Specifically, the latest version of the bill says:
“This act becomes effective only if the General Assembly appropriates funds to implement it in the amounts set out in Section 2 of this act for the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium. If such funds are appropriated, this act becomes effective July 1, 2013, and applies beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.” Section 2 of the bill says that the act becomes effective on July 1, beginning with the 2013-14 school year.
What’s Next: The bill will go to the Senate and be assigned to committee. Read More.