HB 892

Requires the Department of Commerce (DOC) to establish a grant program to encourage and facilitate residents of Western North Carolina who were impacted by Hurricane Helene to obtain commercial drivers licenses (CDLs), by give CLD training providers funds to cover the costs of CDL training programs and providing stipends for temporary accommodations for trainees. Requires a qualifying CDL training provider to: (1) offer a four-week accelerated CDL training program; (2) be authorized to conduct on-site CDL testing to streamline licensing; and (3) have enrollment and training facilities within a 75-mile radius of Asheville. Provides grants of $4,000 per trainee, paid upon the trainee’s successful completion of the program and obtaining a CDL. Caps accommodation grants at $1,500 for trainees that meet certain needs and caps the amount of the program’s funds that may be used for these grants at $277,500. Requires trainees to be NC residents and gives priority to residents of affected counties. Requires DOC to establish the application process and organize partnerships with hotels and motels for the accommodations stipends and with local employers and construction firms to assist grads of the CDL training program in securing employment linked to disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts.