North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee 3 D cosponsors

SB 551 — Broadband Affordability Program.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 25, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 20% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    0 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

10 added · 11 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of Senate Bill 551, a section was added specifying that the Department must provide funds directly to broadband service providers as part of the Broadband Assistance Program. Additionally, there is a requirement for quarterly reports to be submitted about this program. These changes are important because they clarify the funding process for broadband services and ensure regular updates on the program's progress and effectiveness, which can help improve internet access in the community.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Mar 25, 2025 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 S 1 SENATE BILL 551 Short Title:
551 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS45290-MQa-20 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE NORTH CAROLINA BROADBAND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO HELP MAKE BROADBAND ACCESS MORE AFFORDABLE.
Rules and Operations of the Senate March 26, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE NORTH CAROLINA BROADBAND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO HELP MAKE BROADBAND ACCESS MORE AFFORDABLE.
*DRS45290-MQa-20* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 2.(b) To be eligible for the Program, an applicant shall demonstrate, at least annually, income qualifications in a manner satisfactory to the Department.
*S551-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 2.(b) To be eligible for the Program, an applicant shall demonstrate, at least annually, income qualifications in a manner satisfactory to the Department.
Additionally, Program recipients shall provide information to the Department sufficient to enable the Department to provide funds directly to the broadband service provider on behalf of the Program recipient.
Additionally, Program recipients shall provide information to the Department sufficient to enable the Department to provide funds directlyto the broadband service provider on behalf of the Program recipient.
SECTION 2.(c) Beginning October 1, 2025, the Department of Commerce shall submit a quarterly report on the Broadband Assistance Program established in this act to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources and the Fiscal Research Division.
SECTION 2.(c) Beginning October 1, 2025, the Department of Commerce shall submit a quarterlyreport on the Broadband Assistance Program established in this act to theJoint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources and the Fiscal Research Division.
Page 2 DRS45290-MQa-20
Page 2 Senate Bill 551-First Edition
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Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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0 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 176 not signed on

Sponsors (0)

None.

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (176)

176 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 176 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 551?
SB 551 is sponsored by Joyce Waddell (Democratic), Michael Garrett (Democratic), and Natalie S. Murdock (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 551?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 25, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 551?
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