North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee 6 D cosponsors

SB 959 — Study Student Loan Forgiveness Program/SEAA.

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.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 26% · moderate confidence

  • 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).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

12 added · 13 removed

Plain-language change summary

The changes to Senate Bill 959 include new language that emphasizes the importance of encouraging eligible borrowers to stay in North Carolina after completing their education and outlines the responsibilities of the state’s educational boards to explore this further. This amendment matters because it aims to bolster the local workforce and economy by retaining educated individuals in the state, which can ultimately benefit various sectors and contribute to community growth.

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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 959 Short Title:
959 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS35422-MTa-192 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE EDUCATION ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY AND ADVISABILITY OF ESTABLISHING A STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS AND TALENT RETENTION PROGRAM FOR GRADUATES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOCATED IN NORTH CAROLINA AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Rules and Operations of the Senate May 4, 2026 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE EDUCATION ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY AND ADVISABILITY OF ESTABLISHING A STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS AND TALENT RETENTION PROGRAM FOR GRADUATES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOCATED IN NORTH CAROLINA AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE.
and Whereas, policies that encourage graduates of public institutions of higher education to remain in North Carolina following completion of their postsecondary education may improve workforce retention and strengthen the economy of the State;
and Whereas, policies that encourage graduates of public institutions of higher education to remain in North Carolina following completion of their postsecondaryeducation mayimprove workforce retention and strengthen the economy of the State;
– The State Education Assistance Authority, in consultation with the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, the State Board of Community *DRS35422-MTa-192* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Colleges, the Department of Commerce, and any other relevant stakeholders in the area of workforce and economic development, shall study the feasibility and advisability of establishing a Student Loan Forgiveness and Talent Retention Program for eligible student loan debt.
– The State Education Assistance Authority, in consultation with the Board of Governors of The Universityof North Carolina, the State Board of Community *S959-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Colleges, the Department of Commerce, and any other relevant stakeholders in the area of workforce and economic development, shall study the feasibility and advisabilityof establishing a Student Loan Forgiveness and Talent Retention Program for eligible student loan debt.
The study shall evaluate possible Program structures in North Carolina and costs necessary to encourageeligibleborrowers to remainin North Carolinaforasustainedperiod oftimefollowing graduation, including at least the following:
The study shall evaluate possible Program structures in North Carolina and costs necessary to encourageeligibleborrowersto remainin North Carolinaforasustainedperiod oftimefollowing graduation, including at least the following:
Page 2 DRS35422-MTa-192
Page 2 Senate Bill 959-First Edition
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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.

Show all 173 →

"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

finance education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 959?
SB 959 is sponsored by Joyce Waddell (Democratic), Natalie S. Murdock (Democratic), Sophia Chitlik (Democratic), Michael Garrett (Democratic), Caleb Theodros (Democratic), and Kandie D. Smith (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 959?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced April 30, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 959?
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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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