HB 325

Establishes the Legislative Building Field Trip Pilot Program (Program) for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years to encourage civic engagement and study by assisting public school units in conducting one field trip per school year to tour the Legislative Building. Provides for application process by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Prioritizes selection of participants to tier 1 one schools under GS 143B-437.08. Awards each selected school up to $2,000, based on the school’s proposed budget submitted with the application to be used for bus rental, fuel, or compensation for drivers to get to and from the Legislative Building. Requires DPI to submit an annual report to the specified NCGA committee by February 15 each year on the four listed matters pertaining to the Program. Appropriates $1.5 million from the General Fund to DPI for each year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium to fund the Program. Effective July 1, 2025.