North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee 6 D cosponsors

SB 962 — Investing in North Carolina Act.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

  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 April 30, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

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

Prognosis

Stalled 26% · 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.

  • 6 sponsors

    1 primary, 5 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (6 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

36 added · 37 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Senate Bill 962 includes an addition specifying that employees can receive a monthly compensation bonus of $126, which is intended to enhance their salaries. This change matters because it aims to provide financial support to employees, making their compensation more competitive and helping to improve job satisfaction and retention. Additionally, it emphasizes flexibility in how state agencies can use funds, which could lead to better management of resources in meeting employee needs.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Apr 30, 2026 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 S 1 SENATE BILL 962 Short Title:
962 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS35430-MTap-178 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO RAISE SALARIES FOR TEACHERS, STATE EMPLOYEES, COMMUNITY COLLEGE EMPLOYEES, AND EMPLOYEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AND TO PROVIDE A COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE FOR RETIREES IN THE EVENT THE CURRENT OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS ACT DOES NOT BECOME LAW AND TO PROVIDE FOR FUTURE SALARY INCREASES FOR TEACHERS, STATE EMPLOYEES, COMMUNITY COLLEGE EMPLOYEES, AND EMPLOYEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THE EVENT FUTURE CURRENT OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS ACTS DO NOT BECOME LAW.
Rules and Operations of the Senate May 4, 2026 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO RAISE SALARIES FOR TEACHERS, STATE EMPLOYEES, COMMUNITY COLLEGE EMPLOYEES, AND EMPLOYEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AND TO PROVIDE A COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE FOR RETIREES IN THE EVENT THE CURRENT OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS ACT DOES NOT BECOME LAW AND TO PROVIDE FOR FUTURE SALARY INCREASES FOR TEACHERS, STATE EMPLOYEES, COMMUNITY COLLEGE EMPLOYEES, AND EMPLOYEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THE EVENT FUTURE CURRENT OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS ACTS DO NOT BECOME LAW.
2026-2027 Teacher Monthly Salary Schedule Years of Experience "A" Teachers 0 $4,600 1 $4,685 2 $4,770 3 $4,855 4 $4,940 5 $5,025 6 $5,110 7 $5,195 8 $5,280 *DRS35430-MTap-178* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 9 $5,365 10 $5,450 11 $5,535 12 $5,620 13 $5,705 14 $5,790 15 $5,875 16 $5,950 17-19 $6,070 20-22 $6,135 23-25 $6,200 26-28 $6,295 29+ $6,370 SECTION 2.(b) Salary Supplements for Teachers Paid on This Salary Schedule.
2026-2027 Teacher Monthly Salary Schedule Years of Experience "A" Teachers 0 $4,600 1 $4,685 2 $4,770 3 $4,855 4 $4,940 5 $5,025 6 $5,110 7 $5,195 8 $5,280 *S962-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 9 $5,365 10 $5,450 11 $5,535 12 $5,620 13 $5,705 14 $5,790 15 $5,875 16 $5,950 17-19 $6,070 20-22 $6,135 23-25 $6,200 26-28 $6,295 29+ $6,370 SECTION 2.(b) Salary Supplements for Teachers Paid on This Salary Schedule.
(3) Licensed teachers with licensure based on academic preparation at the six-year degree level shall receive a salary supplement of one hundred twenty-six dollars($126.00)permonthin addition to thesupplement provided to them as "M" teachers.
(3) Licensed teachers with licensure based on academic preparation at the six-year degree level shall receive a salary supplement of one hundred twenty-six dollars($126.00)permonthin addition to thesupplementprovided to them as "M" teachers.
Page 2 DRS35430-MTap-178 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 2.(e) A teacher compensated in accordance with this salary schedule for the 2026-2027 school year shall receive an amount equal to the greater of the following:
Page 2 Senate Bill 962-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 2.(e) A teacher compensated in accordance with this salary schedule for the 2026-2027 school year shall receive an amount equal to the greater of the following:
DRS35430-MTap-178 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 3.1.(d) No eligible State-funded employee shall be prohibited from receiving the full salary increase provided in this section solely because the employee's salary after applying the legislative increase is above the maximum of the salary range prescribed by the State Human Resources Commission.
Senate Bill 962-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 3.1.(d) No eligible State-funded employee shall be prohibited from receiving the full salary increase provided in this section solely because the employee's salary after applying the legislative increase is above the maximum of the salary range prescribed by the State Human Resources Commission.
Page 4 DRS35430-MTap-178 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 3.4.(e) The funds appropriated for retention bonuses in excess of the amounts required to implement these bonuses shall revert and not be credited to the Pay Plan Reserve.
Page 4 Senate Bill 962-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 3.4.(e) The funds appropriated for retention bonuses in excess of the amounts required to implement these bonuses shall revert and not be credited to the Pay Plan Reserve.
The compensation bonus shall be awarded to eligiblepermanent employees without regardto an employee's placement withinthesalaryrange, including employees at the top of the salary range.
The compensation bonus shall be awarded to eligiblepermanent employees without regardto an employee's placement withinthesalaryrange, including employees at the top of the salaryrange.
SECTION 3.6.(c) The Boardof GovernorsofThe University ofNorth Carolinashall make a report on the use of compensation increases and bonus funds to the General Assembly by no later than March 1 of each year of the biennium.
SECTION3.6.(c) The Boardof GovernorsofThe UniversityofNorth Carolinashall make a report on the use of compensation increases and bonus funds to the General Assemblyby no later than March 1 of each year of the biennium.
DRS35430-MTap-178 Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) Youth Counselor Technicians shall be paid under the Correctional Officer I salary schedule.
Senate Bill 962-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) Youth Counselor Technicians shall be paid under the Correctional Officer I salary schedule.
Years of Experience FY 2026-27 0 $56,733 1 60,423 2 64,350 Page 6 DRS35430-MTap-178 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 3 68,533 4 72,988 5 77,732 6+ 82,785 6 STATE HIGHWAY PATROL/SALARY SCHEDULE SECTION 3.9A.(a) Law enforcement officers of the State Highway Patrol compensated pursuant to an experience-based salary schedule shall be compensated based on the officer's respective work experience pursuant to the salary schedule in subsection (b) of this section.
Years of Experience FY 2026-27 0 $56,733 1 60,423 2 64,350 Page 6 Senate Bill 962-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 3 68,533 4 72,988 5 77,732 6+ 82,785 6 STATE HIGHWAY PATROL/SALARY SCHEDULE SECTION 3.9A.(a) Law enforcement officers of the State Highway Patrol compensated pursuant to an experience-based salary schedule shall be compensated based on the officer's respective work experience pursuant to the salary schedule in subsection (b) of this section.
Years of Experience FY 2026-27 0 $58,350 1 62,142 2 66,181 3 70,483 4 75,064 5 79,943 6+ 85,140 STATE AGENCY TEACHERS SECTION 3.10.(a) Employees of schools operated by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Adult Correction, and the StateBoardofEducation whoarepaid ontheTeacherSalaryScheduleshall bepaid as authorized in this act.
Years of Experience FY 2026-27 0 $58,350 1 62,142 2 66,181 3 70,483 4 75,064 5 79,943 6+ 85,140 STATE AGENCY TEACHERS SECTION 3.10.(a) Employees of schools operated bythe Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Adult Correction, and the StateBoardofEducation whoarepaid ontheTeacherSalaryScheduleshall bepaid as authorized in this act.
SECTION 3.11.(c) The State employer contribution rates enacted by this act for retirement and related benefits may be deemed by the Director of the Budget for administrative purposes to become effective after July 1 of the applicable fiscal year to provide flexibility in the collection and reconciliation of salary-related contributions as required by law, provided the estimated amount contributed to any affected employee benefit trust equals the amount that would have been contributed to the employee benefit trust if the enacted employer contribution rates had been effective on July 1 of the applicable fiscal year.
SECTION 3.11.(c) The State employer contribution rates enacted by this act for retirement and related benefits may be deemed by the Director of the Budget for administrative purposes to become effective after July1 of the applicable fiscal year to provide flexibilityin the collection and reconciliation of salary-related contributions as required by law, provided the estimated amount contributed to any affected employee benefit trust equals the amount that would have been contributed to the employee benefit trust if the enacted employer contribution rates had been effective on July 1 of the applicable fiscal year.
DRS35430-MTap-178 Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 3.11.(d) This section applies to all employees paid from State funds, whether or not subject to or exempt from the North Carolina Human Resources Act, including employees of public schools, community colleges, and The University of North Carolina.
Senate Bill 962-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 3.11.(d) This section applies to all employees paid from State funds, whether or not subject to or exempt from the North Carolina Human Resources Act, including employees of public schools, community colleges, and The University of North Carolina.
SECTION 3.13.(b) If the Director of the Budget determines that funds appropriated to a State agency for mandated salary increases and employee benefits exceed the amount required by that agency for those purposes, the Director may reallocate those funds to other State agencies that received insufficient funds for required cost-of-living and benefit increases.
SECTION 3.13.(b) If the Director of the Budget determines that funds appropriated to a State agency for mandated salary increases and employee benefits exceed the amount required bythat agencyfor those purposes, the Director may reallocate those funds to other State agencies that received insufficient funds for required cost-of-living and benefit increases.
SECTION 3.13.(c) Funds appropriated for cost-of-living adjustments and employee benefit increases may not be used to adjust the budgeted salaries of vacant positions or to provide salary increases in excess of those required by the General Assembly except to increase the budgeted salary of any position to the minimum of the position's salary range and to meet retention pay needs.
SECTION 3.13.(c) Funds appropriated for cost-of-living adjustments and employee benefit increases maynot be used to adjust the budgeted salaries of vacant positions or to provide salary increases in excess of those required by the General Assembly except to increase the budgeted salary of any position to the minimum of the position's salary range and to meet retention pay needs.
SECTION 3.13.(d) Any funds appropriated for cost-of-living adjustment and employeebenefitincreasesinexcessoftheamountsrequiredtoimplementtheincreasespursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall be credited to the Pay Plan Reserve.
SECTION 3.13.(d) Any funds appropriated for cost-of-living adjustment and employeebenefitincreasesinexcessoftheamountsrequiredtoimplementthe increasespursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall be credited to the Pay Plan Reserve.
MITIGATE BONUS LEAVE SECTION 3.14.
MITIGATE BONUS LEAVE SECTION3.14.
Duringthe2025-2027fiscal biennium,Stateagencies,departments, institutions, the North Carolina Community College System, and The University of North Carolina may offer State employees the opportunity to use or to cash in special bonus leave benefits that have accrued pursuant to Section 28.3A of S.L.
Duringthe2025-2027fiscal biennium,State agencies,departments, institutions, the North Carolina Community College System, and The University of North Carolina may offer State employees the opportunity to use or to cash in special bonus leave benefits that have accrued pursuant to Section 28.3A of S.L.
Page 8 DRS35430-MTap-178 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 2003-284, Section 29.14A of S.L.
Page 8 Senate Bill 962-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 2003-284, Section 29.14A of S.L.
(3) By September 1, 2026, a report on the demographic information shall be submittedto therespectiveagencyheadoremployingagency and to the Fiscal Research Division.
(3) By September 1, 2026, a report on the demographic information shall be submittedto therespectiveagencyheadoremployingagencyand to the Fiscal Research Division.
"(aaaa)Effective July 1, 2026, the retirement allowance payable to, or on account of, beneficiaries whose retirement commencedonorbefore July 1, 2025, is increased by twopercent (2%) of the allowance payable on June 1, 2026, in accordance with subsection (o) of this section.
"(aaaa)Effective July 1, 2026, the retirement allowance payable to, or on account of, beneficiaries whose retirement commencedonorbefore July1, 2025, is increased bytwopercent (2%) of the allowance payable on June 1, 2026, in accordance with subsection (o) of this section.
Effective July 1, 2026, theretirement allowance payable to, oron account of, beneficiaries whose retirement commenced after July 1, 2025, but before June 30, 2026, is increased by a prorated amount of two percent (2%), as determined by the Board of Trustees based upon the number of months that a retirement allowance was paid between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
Effective July1, 2026, theretirement allowance payableto, oron account of, beneficiaries whose retirement commenced after July 1, 2025, but before June 30, 2026, is increased by a prorated amount of two percent (2%), as determined by the Board of Trustees based upon the number of months that a retirement allowance was paid between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
"(ll) Effective July 1, 2026, the retirement allowance payable to, or on account of, beneficiaries whose retirement commencedonorbefore July 1, 2025, is increased bytwopercent (2%) of the allowance payable on June 1, 2026.
"(ll) Effective July 1, 2026, the retirement allowance payable to, or on account of, beneficiaries whose retirement commencedonorbefore July1, 2025, is increased bytwopercent (2%) of the allowance payable on June 1, 2026.
"(ff) In accordancewith subsection(a)ofthis section, effectiveJuly 1,2026, the retirement allowance payable to, or on account of, beneficiaries whose retirement commenced on or before DRS35430-MTap-178 Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 January 1, 2026, is increased by two percent (2%) of the allowance payable on June 1, 2026.
"(ff) In accordancewith subsection(a)ofthis section, effectiveJuly1,2026, the retirement allowance payable to, or on account of, beneficiaries whose retirement commenced on or before Senate Bill 962-First Edition Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 January 1, 2026, is increased by two percent (2%) of the allowance payable on June 1, 2026.
Effective July 1, 2026, theretirement allowance payable to, oron account of, beneficiaries whose retirement commenced after January 1, 2026, but before June 30, 2026, is increased by a prorated amount of two percent (2%), as determined by the Board of Trustees based upon the number of months that a retirement allowance was paid between January 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026.
Effective July1, 2026, theretirement allowance payableto, oron account of, beneficiaries whose retirement commenced after January1, 2026, but before June 30, 2026, is increased bya prorated amount of two percent (2%), as determined by the Board of Trustees based upon the number of months that a retirement allowance was paid between January 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026.
PART IV.
PART IV.CONTINUEDRAISES FOR TEACHERS ANDSTATE EMPLOYEES INTHE EVENT THE CURRENT OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS ACT DOES NOT BECOME LAW SECTION 4.(a) G.S.
CONTINUEDRAISES FORTEACHERS ANDSTATE EMPLOYEES INTHE EVENT THE CURRENT OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS ACT DOES NOT BECOME LAW SECTION 4.(a) G.S.
Except for funds appropriated for (i) capital improvement Page 10 DRS35430-MTap-178 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 projects or (ii) the implementation of information technology projects, the Director of the Budget shall not allocate funds for items funded with nonrecurring funds during the prior fiscal year.
Except for funds appropriated for (i) capital improvement Page 10 Senate Bill 962-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 projects or (ii) the implementation of information technology projects, the Director of the Budget shall not allocate funds for items funded with nonrecurring funds during the prior fiscal year.
– Public school employees paid on the teacher salary schedule, the school-based administrator salary schedule, or any other salary schedule established by State law shall not move up on salary schedules or receive automatic step increases until authorized by the General Assembly.The teacher salary schedule, the principal salary schedule, and any other salary grade or salary range for public school employees established pursuant to State law that is in effect on June 30 of the prior fiscal year shall remain in effect with an automatic statutory increase of five percent (5%) to each salary schedule, salary grade, and salary range until the Current Operations Appropriations Act for the current fiscal year becomes law.
– Public school employees paid on the teacher salary schedule, the school-based administrator salary schedule, or any other salaryschedule established byState law shall not move up on salaryschedules or receive automatic step increases until authorized by the General Assembly.The teacher salary schedule, the principal salary schedule, and any other salary grade or salary range for public school employees established pursuant to State law that is in effect on June 30 of the prior fiscal year shall remain in effect with an automatic statutory increase of five percent (5%) to each salary schedule, salary grade, and salary range until the Current Operations Appropriations Act for the current fiscal year becomes law.
DRS35430-MTap-178 Page 11
Senate Bill 962-First Edition Page 11
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Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

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

  3. Withdrawn From Com

  4. Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget

  5. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 5 co-sponsors · 173 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (5)

Not signed on (173)

173 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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

Subjects

labor education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 962?
SB 962 is sponsored by DeAndrea Salvador (Democratic), Natalie S. Murdock (Democratic), Sydney Batch (Democratic), Jonah Garson (Democratic), Lisa Grafstein (Democratic), and Kandie D. Smith (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 962?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced April 30, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
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