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Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Representative Kelly E. HastingsParty & CountyR-110 | Cleveland, GastonMember EmailCaitlin FontaineMember Phone704-473-3468Member Office AddressRm. 2208
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Representative Ray PickettParty & CountyR-93 | Alleghany, Ashe, WataugaMember EmailAlexandria SmithMember Phone919-733-7727Member Office AddressRm. 411
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Timothy Reeder, MDParty & CountyR-9 | PittMember EmailBryson HymanMember Phone919-733-5757Member Office AddressRm. 416B
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Jay AdamsParty & CountyR-96 | CatawbaMember EmailSusan PhillipsMember Phone919-733-5988Member Office AddressRm. 2207
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Representative Jerry "Alan" BransonParty & CountyR-59 | GuilfordMember EmailBecky BauerbandMember Phone919-733-5191Member Office AddressRm. 604
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Mark BrodyParty & CountyR-55 | Anson, UnionMember EmailNeva HelmsMember Phone704-965-6585Member Office AddressRm. 419A
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Gloristine BrownParty & CountyD-8 | PittMember EmailKathryn DurantMember Phone919-715-3023Member Office AddressRm. 403
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Terry M. Brown Jr.Party & CountyD-92 | MecklenburgMember EmailAshley LuyinduMember Phone919-733-5654Member Office AddressRm. 509
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Allen BuansiParty & CountyD-56 | OrangeMember EmailCheri AllenMember Phone919-733-7208Member Office AddressRm. 514
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Becky CarneyParty & CountyD-102 | MecklenburgMember EmailBeth LeGrandeMember Phone919-733-5827Member Office AddressRm. 1221
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Representative Todd CarverParty & CountyR-95 | IredellMember EmailClai KeelMember Phone919-733-5741Member Office AddressRm. 603
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Mike ClampittParty & CountyR-119 | Jackson, Swain, TransylvaniaMember EmailYoung BaeMember Phone828-736-6222Member Office AddressRm. 633
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Ted Davis, Jr.Party & CountyR-20 | New HanoverMember EmailMartha JenkinsMember Phone919-733-5786Member Office AddressRm. 301D
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Wyatt GableParty & CountyR-14 | OnslowMember EmailMorgan SampsonMember Phone919-715-6707Member Office AddressRm. 609
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Zack HawkinsParty & CountyD-31 | DurhamMember EmailCasey GlymphMember Phone919-715-2528Member Office AddressRm. 1307
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Representative Beth HelfrichParty & CountyD-98 | MecklenburgMember EmailValentina SilardiMember Phone919-733-5828Member Office AddressRm. 1019
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Representative Julia C. HowardParty & CountyR-77 | Davie, Rowan, YadkinMember EmailRita HarrisMember Phone336-751-3538Member Office AddressRm. 302
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Neal JacksonParty & CountyR-78 | Moore, RandolphMember EmailTracy JacksonMember Phone919-715-4946Member Office AddressRm. 406
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Monika Johnson-HostlerParty & CountyD-33 | WakeMember EmailLisa RayMember Phone919-733-5880Member Office AddressRm. 2221
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Representative Abe JonesParty & CountyD-38 | WakeMember EmailCatherine LeakeMember Phone919-733-5758Member Office AddressRm. 1219
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Representative Donny LambethParty & CountyR-75 | ForsythMember EmailPan BrilesMember Phone919-733-5747Member Office AddressRm. 303
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Tim LongestParty & CountyD-34 | WakeMember EmailZoe HelmsMember Phone919-733-5773Member Office AddressRm. 1315
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Representative Howard Penny, Jr.Party & CountyR-53 | Harnett, JohnstonMember EmailGrace RogersMember Phone919-715-3015Member Office AddressRm. 418C
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Lindsey PratherParty & CountyD-115 | BuncombeMember EmailMargaret HartzellMember Phone919-733-5746Member Office AddressRm. 1301
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Representative Renée A. PriceParty & CountyD-50 | Caswell, OrangeMember EmailAnnette MooreMember Phone919-715-3019Member Office AddressRm. 1321
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Representative Heather H. RhyneParty & CountyR-97 | LincolnMember EmailJennings TumlinMember Phone919-733-5782Member Office AddressRm. 531
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative James RobersonParty & CountyD-39 | WakeMember EmailRebecca LlewellynMember Phone919-733-5974Member Office AddressRm. 511
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative John SaulsParty & CountyR-51 | Lee, MooreMember EmailMary Barnes MooreMember Phone919-775-8033Member Office AddressRm. 408
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Brian TurnerParty & CountyD-116 | BuncombeMember EmailHope T. TurnerMember Phone919-715-3012Member Office AddressRm. 1303
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Representative Diane WheatleyParty & CountyR-43 | CumberlandMember EmailAl WheatleyMember Phone919-733-5959Member Office AddressRm. 301N
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Representative Donna McDowell WhiteParty & CountyR-26 | JohnstonMember EmailMember Phone919-889-1239Member Office AddressRm. 307B
300 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
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Representative Keith Kidwell(R)
Representative Ben T. Moss, Jr.(R)
Representative Celeste C. Cairns(R)
Representative David Willis(R)
Representative Jeffrey C. McNeely(R)
Representative Brian Echevarria(R)
Representative Donna McDowell White(R)
Representative Mike Clampitt(R)
Representative Diane Wheatley(R)
Representative Frank Iler(R)
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Serial Referral To Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House AddedHouse2025-03-20Serial Referral To Appropriations AddedHouse2025-03-20Serial Referral To Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House StrickenHouse2025-03-20Re-ref to the Com on Higher Education, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the HouseHouse2025-02-03Withdrawn From ComHouse2025-02-03Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the HouseHouse2025-01-30Passed 1st ReadingHouse2025-01-30Filed
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FiledNo fiscal notes available.Edition 1No fiscal notes available.
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BOARDS; COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES; COMMUNITY COLLEGES; COMMUNITY COLLEGES BOARD; CURRICULUM; EDUCATION; HIGHER EDUCATION; PUBLIC; UNC; UNC BOARD OF GOVERNORS
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115C
115D
116 (Chapters); 115C-81.45
115D-11
115D-5
116-11
116-11.5 (Sections)
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No counties specifically cited.
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AN ACT to require at least three credit hours of instruction in american history or american government in order to graduate from a constituent institution of the university of north carolina with a baccalaureate degree or a community college with an associate degree.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
part i. title
SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the North Carolina Reclaiming College Education on America's Constitutional Heritage Act or the NC REACH Act.
part ii. require three credit hours of instruction in american history or american government at constituent institutions of the university of north carolina
SECTION 2.(a) G.S. 116‑11(3) reads as rewritten:
(3) The Except as provided in subdivision (15) of this section, the Board shall determine the functions, educational activities and academic programs of the constituent institutions. The Board shall also determine the types of degrees to be awarded. The powers herein given to the Board shall not be restricted by any provision of law assigning specific functions or responsibilities to designated institutions, the powers herein given superseding any such provisions of law. The Board, after adequate notice and after affording the institutional board of trustees an opportunity to be heard, shall have authority to withdraw approval of any existing program if it appears that the program is unproductive, excessively costly or unnecessarily duplicative. The Board shall review the productivity of academic degree programs every two years, using criteria specifically developed to determine program productivity.
SECTION 2.(b) G.S. 116‑11 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
(15) The Board of Governors shall adopt a policy requiring each constituent institution of The University of North Carolina to require at least three credit hours of instruction in American history or American government, in accordance with G.S. 116‑11.5, in order to graduate from the institution with a baccalaureate degree.
SECTION 2.(c) Article 1 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
§ 116‑11.5. American history or American government instruction required for graduation with a baccalaureate degree.
(a) Each constituent institution of The University of North Carolina that offers a baccalaureate degree shall require as a condition of graduation with a baccalaureate degree that all students complete at least three credit hours of instruction in American history or American government that provides a comprehensive overview of the major events and turning points of American history and government. A course required pursuant to this section shall meet the following criteria:
(1) Require each student to read at least the following documents in their entirety:
a. The Constitution of the United States of America.
b. The Declaration of Independence.
c. The Emancipation Proclamation.
d. At least five essays from the Federalist Papers, as determined by the instructor.
e. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail.
f. The Gettysburg Address.
g. The North Carolina State Constitution.
(2) Include a cumulative final exam on the principles in the documents listed in subdivision (1) of this subsection. The final exam shall meet the following criteria:
a. Comprise at least twenty percent (20%) of the student's total course grade.
b. Focus substantially on the provisions and principles of the documents listed in subdivision (1) of this subsection, the perspectives of the authors of the documents, and the relevant historic contexts at the time the documents were written.
(b) The chancellor of each constituent institution, or his or her designee, may exempt a student from the requirements of this section if the student has successfully completed at least three credit hours of instruction in American history or American government in a postsecondary‑level course provided outside the constituent institution that satisfies the requirements of this section, including credit based on the following:
(1) A passing score on an Advanced Placement exam.
(2) A passing score on an International Baccalaureate exam.
(3) A passing score on an AS‑Level or A‑Level Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) course.
(4) A passing grade in a dual enrollment course.
(c) The Board of Governors shall ensure that the requirements of this section are incorporated into the degree requirements of all baccalaureate programs and do not do any of the following:
(1) Add to the total number of credit hours required for a degree.
(2) Conflict with the accreditation process for any constituent institution.
(d) The Board of Governors shall ensure that each constituent institution complies with the requirements of this section. No later than November 15, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Board shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on compliance with this section by each constituent institution. The report shall include, at a minimum, a copy of the syllabus for each course that is offered to comply with this section.
(e) The Board of Governors, in its discretion, may remove the chancellor of a constituent institution for failure to comply with this section over more than one academic year.
part iii. require three credit hours of instruction in american history or american government at north carolina community colleges
SECTION 3.(a) G.S. 115D‑5 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
(aa) The State Board of Community Colleges shall adopt a policy requiring each community college to require at least three credit hours of instruction in American history or American government, in accordance with G.S. 115D‑11, in order to graduate from the community college with an associate degree.
SECTION 3.(b) Article 1 of Chapter 115D of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
§ 115D‑11. American history or American government instruction required for graduation with an associate degree.
(a) Each community college shall require as a condition of graduation with an associate degree that all students complete at least three credit hours of instruction in American history or American government that provides a comprehensive overview of the major events and turning points of American history and government. A course required pursuant to this section shall meet the following criteria:
(1) Require each student to read at least the following documents in their entirety:
a. The Constitution of the United States of America.
b. The Declaration of Independence.
c. The Emancipation Proclamation.
d. At least five essays from the Federalist Papers, as determined by the instructor.
e. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail.
f. The Gettysburg Address.
g. The North Carolina State Constitution.
(2) Include a cumulative final exam on the principles in the documents listed in subdivision (1) of this subsection. The final exam shall meet the following criteria:
a. Comprise at least twenty percent (20%) of the student's total course grade.
b. Focus substantially on the provisions and principles of the documents listed in subdivision (1) of this subsection, the perspectives of the authors of the documents, and the relevant historic contexts at the time the documents were written.
(b) The president of a community college, or his or her designee, may exempt a student from the requirements of this section if the student has successfully completed at least three credit hours of instruction in American history or American government in a postsecondary‑level course provided outside the community college that satisfies the requirements of this section, including credit based on the following:
(1) A passing score on an Advanced Placement exam.
(2) A passing score on an International Baccalaureate exam.
(3) A passing score on an AS‑Level or A‑Level Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) course.
(4) A passing grade in a dual enrollment course.
(c) The State Board of Community Colleges shall ensure that the requirements of this section are incorporated into the degree requirements of all associate degree programs and do not do either of the following:
(1) Add to the total number of credit hours required for a degree.
(2) Conflict with the accreditation process for any institution.
(d) The State Board of Community Colleges shall ensure that each community college complies with the requirements of this section. No later than November 15, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Board shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on compliance with this section by each community college. The report shall include, at a minimum, a copy of the syllabus for each course that is offered to comply with this section.
(e) The State Board of Community Colleges, in its discretion, may remove the president of a community college for failure to comply with this section over more than one academic year.
PART IV. ALIGN FOUNDING PRINCIPLES COURSE REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 4.(a) G.S. 115C‑81.45(d) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
(3a) A passing grade in an advanced course, as defined in G.S. 115C‑174.26(a), or a dual enrollment course, shall satisfy the Founding Principles of the United States of America and the State of North Carolina course requirement if, in addition to meeting the requirements of this section, the course requires students to read the following documents in their entirety:
a. The Constitution of the United States of America.
b. The Declaration of Independence.
c. The Emancipation Proclamation.
d. At least five essays from the Federalist Papers, as determined by the teacher.
e. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from Birmingham Jail.
f. The Gettysburg Address.
g. The North Carolina State Constitution.
SECTION 4.(b) This section is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with courses offered in the 2025‑2026 school year.
part v. effective date
SECTION 5. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning in the 2026‑2027 academic year to students accepted for initial enrollment in a baccalaureate program at a constituent institution or initial enrollment in an associate degree program at a community college.