North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee 5 D cosponsors

SB 997 — Nursing Fellows and Curric. Support Funds/WSSU.

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 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 24% · 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.

  • 5 sponsors

    0 primary, 5 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (5 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

19 added · 20 removed

Plain-language change summary

The changes in Senate Bill 997 primarily involve adjustments to the text without altering its substance. Lines were added and removed, likely for clarity or formatting, but the main focus remains on supporting highly effective nurses and instructors through a program offering forgivable loans. This is important as it aims to improve the quality of nursing education and, ultimately, healthcare in North Carolina by ensuring that skilled professionals are available to train future nurses.

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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 997 Short Title:
997 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS35429-MTa-175 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE NURSING FELLOWS PROGRAM AT WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR CURRICULUM SUPPORT FOR NURSING STUDENTS AT WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY.
Rules and Operations of the Senate May 4, 2026 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE NURSING FELLOWS PROGRAM AT WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR CURRICULUM SUPPORT FOR NURSING STUDENTS AT WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY.
Graduated within10years from at least one ofthe followingat WSSU, excluding any authorized deferment for extenuating circumstances:
Graduated within10 years from at least one ofthe followingat WSSU, excluding any authorized deferment for extenuating circumstances:
(8) Qualifyingnurseinstructor.
(8) Qualifying nurseinstructor.
–An eligiblenurse whomeets all of thefollowing criteria:
–An eligible nurse whomeets all of thefollowing criteria:
*DRS35429-MTa-175* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 a.
*S997-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 a.
The purpose of the Program is to recruit, prepare, and support eligible nursing students at WSSU for preparation as highly effectivenurses and instructorsin qualifyingnursing programs.
The purpose of the Program is to recruit, prepare, and support eligible nursing students at WSSU for preparation as highlyeffectivenurses and instructorsin qualifying nursingprograms.TheProgram shall beused to provide forgivable loans to nursing students who are (i) enrolled in degree programs at WSSU to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Master of Science in Nursing Education and (ii) interested in preparing to become nurses in the State or instructors in qualifying nursing programs.
TheProgram shall beused to provide forgivable loans to nursing students who are (i) enrolled in degree programs at WSSU to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Master of Science in Nursing Education and (ii) interested in preparing to become nurses in the State or instructors in qualifying nursing programs.
Page 2 DRS35429-MTa-175 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (2) The Authority may use up to four percent (4%) of the funds appropriated to the Trust Fund each fiscal year for administrative costs associated with the Program.
Page 2 Senate Bill 997-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (2) The Authority may use up to four percent (4%) of the funds appropriated to the Trust Fund each fiscal year for administrative costs associated with the Program.
(3) Experience, accomplishments, and other criteria demonstrating qualities positively correlated with highly effective nurses and instructors in qualifying nursing programs, including excellent verbal and communication skills.
(3) Experience, accomplishments, and other criteria demonstrating qualities positivelycorrelated with highly effective nurses and instructors in qualifying nursing programs, including excellent verbal and communication skills.
(f) AwardsofForgivableLoans.–TheProgramshall provideforgivableloanstoselected students who are initially enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at WSSU.
(f) AwardsofForgivable Loans.–TheProgramshall provideforgivableloanstoselected students who are initially enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at WSSU.
– Upon the naming of recipients of the forgivableloansbytheDean,theDeanshalltransfertotheAuthorityitsdecisions.TheAuthority, in coordination with the Dean, shall perform all of the administrative functions necessary to implement this Part,which functions shall include rulemaking, disseminating information, acting as a liaison with participating institutions of higher education, implementing forgivable loan agreements, loan monitoring, loan canceling through service and collection, determining the acceptability of service repayment agreements, enforcing the agreements, and all other functions necessary for the execution, payment, and enforcement of promissory notes required under this Part.
– Upon the naming of recipients of the forgivableloansbytheDean,theDeanshalltransfertotheAuthorityitsdecisions.TheAuthority, in coordination with the Dean, shall perform all of the administrative functions necessary to implement this Part,which functions shall include rulemaking, disseminatinginformation, acting as a liaison with participating institutions of higher education, implementing forgivable loan agreements, loan monitoring, loan canceling through service and collection, determining the acceptability of service repayment agreements, enforcing the agreements, and all other functions necessary for the execution, payment, and enforcement of promissory notes required under this Part.
DRS35429-MTa-175 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) Mentoring and coaching support, including the number of forgivable loan recipients who received mentoring and coaching support.
Senate Bill 997-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) Mentoring and coaching support, including the number of forgivable loan recipients who received mentoring and coaching support.
The Authority shall also forgive the loan if it finds that it is impossible for the recipient to work for up to three years, within 10 years after completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program for persons pursuing forgiveness as qualifying nurses or of the Master of Science in Nursing Education degree program for persons pursuing forgiveness as qualifying nurse instructors, because of the death or permanent disability oftherecipient.
The Authority shall also forgive the loan if it finds that it is impossible for the recipient to work for up to three years, within 10 years after completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program for persons pursuing forgiveness as qualifying nurses or of the Master of Science in Nursing Education degree program for persons pursuing forgiveness as qualifying nurse instructors, because of the death or permanent disabilityoftherecipient.
Iftherecipient repays theforgivableloan by cash payments, all indebtedness shall be repaid within 10 years after completion of the latest applicable degree program supported by the forgivable loan.
Iftherecipient repays theforgivableloanbycash payments, all indebtedness shall be repaid within 10 years after completion of the latest applicable degree program supported by the forgivable loan.
…." SECTION 1.(c) The Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Winston-Salem State University shall establish initial selection criteria for recipients no later than November 15, 2026, and shall make available applications to prospective students no later than December 31, 2026.
…." SECTION 1.(c) The Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Winston-Salem State Universityshall establish initial selection criteria for recipients no later than November 15, 2026, and shall make available applications to prospective students no later than December 31, 2026.
Page 4 DRS35429-MTa-175 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 2 PART II.
Page 4 Senate Bill 997-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 2 PART II.
DRS35429-MTa-175 Page 5
Senate Bill 997-First Edition Page 5
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How this bill changes current law

3 changes Share ↗

Compared against the N.C. General Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes the Nursing Fellows Program at Winston-Salem State University and defines related terms and parameters for the program.

  • Article 23 of Chapter 116

    Part 3A. Nursing Fellows Program. § 116-209.64. Definitions. The following definitions apply in this Part: (1) Academic term. – A semester or summer session. (2) Authority. – The State Education Assistance Authority. (3) Dean. – The Dean of the School of Health Sciences at WSSU. (4) Eligible nurse. – A nurse who meets all of the following criteria: a. Received a forgivable loan. b. Graduated within10 years from at least one ofthe followingat WSSU, excluding any authorized deferment for extenuating circumstances: 1. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. 2. A Master of Science in Nursing Education program. c. Is licensed as a registered nurse in this State. (5) Forgivable loan. – A forgivable loan made under the Program. (6) Program. – The Nursing Fellows Program. (7) Qualifying nurse. – An eligible nurse who meets all of the following criteria: a. Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from WSSU. b. Is employed as a nurse in this State. (8) Qualifying nurseinstructor. –An eligible nurse whomeets all of thefollowing criteria: a. Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from WSSU and a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education from WSSU. b. Is employed as an instructor in a qualifying nursing program. (9) Qualifying nursing program. – A nursing program at one of the following that prepares students to earn a degree in nursing and become a licensed practical nurse as defined in Article 9A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes: 1. A community college. 2. A university or private postsecondary institution. (10) Trust Fund. – The Nursing Fellows Program Trust Fund. (11) University or private postsecondary institution. – Either of the following: a. A postsecondary constituent institution of The University of North Carolina as defined in G.S. 116-2(4). b. An eligible private postsecondary educational institution as defined in G.S. 116-280(3). (12) WSSU. – Winston-Salem State University.

    This section adds definitions necessary for the establishment of the Nursing Fellows Program.

  • Article 23 of Chapter 116

    § 116-209.65. North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program established; administration. (a) Program. – There is established the Nursing Fellows Program. The purpose of the Program is to recruit, prepare, and support eligible nursing students at WSSU for preparation as highlyeffectivenurses and instructorsin qualifying nursingprograms.TheProgram shall beused to provide forgivable loans to nursing students who are (i) enrolled in degree programs at WSSU to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Master of Science in Nursing Education and (ii) interested in preparing to become nurses in the State or instructors in qualifying nursing programs.

    This section establishes the Nursing Fellows Program and outlines its purpose.

  • Article 23 of Chapter 116

    § 116-209.66. Terms of forgivable loans; receipt and disbursement of funds. (a) Notes. – All forgivable loans shall be evidenced by notes made payable to the Authority that bear interest at a rate not to exceed ten percent (10%) per year as set by the Authority and beginning on the first day of September after completion of the applicable degree program or 90 days after graduation, whichever is later. If a forgivable loan is terminated, the note shall be made payable to the Authority 90 days after termination of the forgivable loan. The forgivable loan may be terminated upon the recipient's withdrawal from the Program or by the recipient's failure to meet the standards set by the Dean. (b) Forgiveness. – For every year a qualifying nurse remains a qualifying nurse or a qualifying nurse instructor remains a qualifying nurse instructor, the Authority shall forgive one-third of the total loan amount received over the course of enrollment in the applicable degree program and any interest accrued on that amount. The Authority shall also forgive the loan if it finds that it is impossible for the recipient to work for up to three years, within 10 years after completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program for persons pursuing forgiveness as qualifying nurses or of the Master of Science in Nursing Education degree program.

    This section lays out the terms and conditions for the forgivable loans offered under the Nursing Fellows Program.

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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0 sponsors · 5 co-sponsors · 174 not signed on

Sponsors (0)

None.

Co-sponsors (5)

Not signed on (174)

174 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 174 →

"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

healthcare 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 997?
SB 997 is sponsored by Joyce Waddell (Democratic), Mujtaba A. Mohammed (Democratic), Sydney Batch (Democratic), Gale Adcock (Democratic), and Paul A. Lowe, Jr. (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 997?
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 997?
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