BY REP. TODD CARVER
This week I wanted to provide an update on a few bills I have signed on to support. The deadline for filing new bills has passed now so there are very few bills showing up on the daily agenda. As always there are a few exceptions. For example, one member had a death in her immediate family and was granted an extension, and some bills which are with the bill drafting section may still manage to appear.
As always, it is possible something could find its way into the budget which is still being worked out.
One bill that I signed onto which is most likely to pass is the “Mike Clampitt 1st Responder Tax Fairness Act.” This bill was filed to honor a member of the N.C. General Assembly who passed away this spring. Mike was a member of the fire service for many years and was a champion for those who are serving our communities. The bill, if approved by both chambers, would exempt volunteer fire departments and rescue squads from paying highway use taxes when they are purchasing a vehicle. With the cost of a new fire truck exceeding $1 million, this bill could save in the order of $20,000 to $30,000.
Another bill I have put my support behind would fund hyperbaric oxygen therapy for eligible veterans in North Carolina who suffer from PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I visited a facility in Raleigh where this treatment is offered to veterans. I met with individuals who have been helped by this healing therapy. The appropriation of $3 million would allow 350 veterans to be treated. The therapy is said to reduce suicidal ideations for those with PTSD and TBI. Healing the brain is very complicated, but if this program offers hope to our veterans, I am in support of providing state funding for it.
House Bill 1163, The Workforce Act of 2026, would help to ensure the future of North Carolina’s workforce development programs. The bill is the result of a collaboration with the MyFuture NC and moves us toward achieving our goal of having 2 million new skilled workers entering the workforce in 2030. The first section appropriates money to N.C. community colleges to improve apprentice programs. Apprenticeships put people to work in the labor force with skilled workers in a very short time period. Another part of the bill requires the Department of Commerce to ensure our workforce credentials are aligned with the needs of industries who will employee those workers. The bill also funds the N.C. community College short-term workforce development program. This program would fund initiatives that put people to work with an industry standard certification within four to six months.
In 2025, North Carolina was selected as the No. 1 state in the U.S. for workforce development. Legislation like HB 1163 will better position us to meet the demands of the future labor markets.
These are not the only pieces of legislation I have signed onto so far. There are several committee meetings this week in which lawmakers will hear about bills of interest to the entire state. I look forward to learning more about these bills and the justifications for their passage. I will do my best to provide additional updates in the coming weeks about the movement of legislation.
If I can ever help you or your family, please contact me at todd.carver@ncleg.gov.
Rep. Todd Carver represents the 95th District in the N.C. House.