AN ACT to provide funding to the department of information technology for artificial intelligence solutions for improving access to state government websites and to promote workforce development programs targeted to adults, veterans, and persons previously incarcerated seeking reentry into employment markets.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the Information Technology Reserve established in Section 2.2(h) of S.L. 2021‑180 to the Department of Information Technology the sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year to be used to develop an artificial intelligence assistant to improve navigation and accessibility of information available on State agency websites. The Department shall prioritize assistance to improve availability of information regarding, and improve connectivity between, the various workforce development resource websites offered both by the State and by local governments. In order to build familiarity and user recognition, the Department shall consider names for the artificial intelligence assistant that are memorable and relatable to the State.

SECTION 2.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce the sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year for the Department to use to provide directed grants to local workforce development boards for the design and implementation of innovative workforce programs designed to help veterans attain new job skills necessary for reintegration into the job market. The Department shall develop guidelines regarding (i) qualifications for local workforce development boards to qualify for a directed grant and (ii) terms for grants and programs developed by those boards.

SECTION 2.(b)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce the sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year for the Department to use to provide directed grants to local workforce development boards for the design and implementation of innovative workforce programs designed to help persons previously incarcerated attain new job skills necessary for reintegration into the job market. The Department shall develop guidelines regarding (i) qualifications for local workforce development boards to qualify for a directed grant and (ii) terms for grants and programs developed by those boards.

SECTION 3.  There is appropriated from the Information Technology Reserve established in Section 2.2(h) of S.L. 2021‑180 to the Department of Information Technology the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year to be used to support professional development by promoting career planning tools designed for working adults.

SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2026.