AN ACT to prevent reductions in take‑home pay for state employees due to increases in THE North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees Plan premiums.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 9 of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 143C‑9‑11.  Fund for State Employee Premium Stabilization.

(a)        Intent. – It is the intent of the General Assembly to prevent reductions in the net income of State employees due to increases in the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees premiums.

(b)        Creation. – The Fund for State Employee Premium Stabilization is established as a special fund in the Department of State Treasurer.

(c)        Use of Funds. – The State Treasurer, in consultation with the Director of the Office of State Human Resources, shall administer the Fund for State Employee Premium Stabilization. These funds shall be used to supplement State employee compensation in a manner that maintains, or seeks to maintain, the net income of State employees in the event of an increase in the monthly premiums required for participation in the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees.

(d)       Rules for Administration of Fund. – The State Treasurer, after consultation with the Director of the Office of State Human Resources, shall adopt rules regarding the administration of the Fund for State Employee Premium Stabilization.

SECTION 2.  Notwithstanding G.S. 115C‑562.8 and any other provision of law to the contrary, the State Education Assistance Authority shall transfer to the Fund for State Employee Premium Stabilization the sum of one hundred fifty million dollars ($150,000,000) in nonrecurring funds that were appropriated to the Opportunity Scholarship Grant Fund Reserve for the 2025‑2026 fiscal year to be used for the award of scholarships in the 2026‑2027 fiscal year.

SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2026.