GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2019
SESSION LAW 2020-80
HOUSE BILL 1023
AN ACT to provide additional and revised uses for federal coronavirus relief funds; to provide additional funding for school nutritional needs; to extend the ability of certain governmental retirees to engage in part‑time employment without affecting retirement; to provide funding for the implementation of the school business system modernization plan; to waive match requirements for a certain competitive grant process for nonprofits; and to make OTHER changes.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
part i. revisions to s.l. 2020‑4
SECTION 1.1.(a) Section 2.3 of S.L. 2020‑4 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 2.3. The
State Controller shall establish a Local Government Coronavirus Relief Reserve
(Local Reserve) in the General Fund to maintain certain federal funds
transferred from the Reserve established in Section 2.1 of this act that are
eligible to mitigate the impact of the COVID‑19 outbreak in North
Carolina on the revenue of local governments. The State Controller shall
transfer the sum of three hundred million dollars ($300,000,000) from the
Reserve to the Local Reserve. It is the intent of the General Assembly to
appropriate a sum of up to one hundred fifty million dollars ($150,000,000) if
local governments experience a revenue shortfall and the CARES Act, P.L. 116‑136,
is amended to allow the use of federal funds for that purpose. Funds that
are reserved in the Local Reserve do not constitute an "appropriation made
by law," as that phrase is used in Section 7(1) of Article V of the North
Carolina Constitution."
SECTION 1.1.(b) Section 3.1 of S.L. 2020‑4, as amended by Section 1 of S.L. 2020-32, reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 3.1. Transfer
of Funds from Reserves to Relief Fund. The State Controller shall transfer
the sum of one billion five hundred seventy‑five million nine hundred
eighty‑eight thousand twenty‑nine dollars ($1,575,988,029)one
billion seven hundred ninety-five million nine hundred eighty-eight thousand
twenty-nine dollars ($1,795,988,029) for the 2019‑2020 fiscal year
from the Reserve established in Section 2.1 of this act, and the sum of one three
hundred fifty million dollars ($150,000,000) ($300,000,000)
for the 2019‑2020 fiscal year from the Local Government Coronavirus
Relief Reserve established in Section 2.3 of this act, to the Fund established
in Section 2.2 of this act."
SECTION 1.1.(c) Section 3.2 of S.L. 2020‑4, as amended by Section 2 of S.L. 2020-32, reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 3.2. Appropriation of Funds from Relief
Fund to OSBM. There is appropriated from the Fund to OSBM the sum of one
billion seven hundred twenty‑five million nine hundred eighty‑eight
thousand twenty‑nine dollars ($1,725,988,029)two billion ninety‑five
million nine hundred eighty‑eight thousand twenty‑nine dollars
($2,095,988,029) in nonrecurring funds for the 2019‑2020 fiscal year
to be allocated and used as provided in Section 3.3 of this act. The funds
appropriated in this section shall not revert at the end of the 2019‑2020
fiscal year but shall remain available to expend until December 30, 2020."
SECTION 1.1.(d) Section 3.3 of S.L. 2020‑4 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 3.3. Allocations of Funds. OSBM shall allocate the funds appropriated in Section 3.2 of this act as follows:
(2) $150,000,000 $300,000,000
to OSBM for allocation to counties ineligible to receive direct funding
from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the Coronavirus Aid,
Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, P.L. 116‑136. OSBM shall
allocate these funds by providing each county eligible to receive funding under
this section a base allocation of two hundred fifty thousand dollars
($250,000), with the remaining funds distributed to eligible counties on a per
capita basis using the United States Census Bureau's Vintage 2019 county
population totals. A county may shall allocate a portion at
least twenty‑five percent (25%) of these funds for use by municipalities within the county,
but only if the transfer qualifies as a necessary expenditure incurred due to
the public health emergency and meets the other criteria of section 601(d) of
the Social Security Act. Such The county shall determine the total
amount allocated to a municipality within the county. If a municipality that
receives funds under this subdivision does not have a plan to spend the funds
developed by September 1, 2020, the municipality shall return the funds to the
county for use by the county or redistribution to other municipalities within
the county. Additionally, the funds allocated in this subdivision are
subject to recoupment by the United States Treasury Inspector General if they
have not been used in a manner consistent with section 601(d) of the Social
Security Act. Further, the funds may only be used to support expenditures by
counties and municipalities that are consistent with the most recently
published United States Treasury Department guidance for the federal
Coronavirus Relief Fund. Counties and municipalities are liable to the State
for any misuse or mishandling of these funds, and subject to clawback and other
appropriate measures, including the reduction or elimination of other State
funds. Any local government officer, official, or employee who violates this
section shall be subject to a civil action by the State and held personally
liable to reimburse the State. Beginning October 1, 2020, and then quarterly
thereafter, each county and municipality receiving funds under this subdivision
shall report to OSBM on the use of allocated funds until all funds are expended
and accounted for.
(4) $300,000,000 to OSBM to
allocate to the General Maintenance Reserve in the Highway Fund for the
Department of Transportation; provided that OSBM shall not transfer these
allocated funds to the Department for use until the guidelines in
"Coronavirus Relief Fund Guidance for State, Territorial, Local, and
Tribal Governments," dated April 22, 2020, are revised by the United
States Department of the Treasury to authorize the use of funds from the
Coronavirus Relief Fund for the purpose of replacing lost revenue due to the
COVID‑19 emergency, or a subsequent act of Congress authorizes the use of
funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund for the purpose of replacing lost
revenue due to the COVID‑19 emergency. 30 days prior to the transfer of
funds pursuant to this subsection, OSBM shall submit a report to the Joint
Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations. On or before April 1, 2021,
the Department shall submit a report on the status of utilizing these funds and
a revenue update to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee
(JLTOC) and the Fiscal Research Division. The Governor may not use the funds described
in this subdivision to make budget adjustments under G.S. 143C‑6‑4
or to make reallocations under G.S. 166A‑19.40(c). Notwithstanding
Section 3.2 of this act, if, by June 15, 2020, by September 1, 2020, the
guidelines in "Coronavirus Relief Fund Guidance for State, Territorial,
Local, and Tribal Governments," dated April 22, 2020, are not revised by
the United States Department of the Treasury to authorize the use of funds from
the Coronavirus Relief Fund for the purpose of replacing lost revenue due to
the COVID‑19 emergency, or a subsequent act of Congress does not
authorize the use of funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund for the purpose of
replacing lost revenue due to the COVID‑19 emergency, the State
Controller shall transfer the funds described in this subdivision to the
Reserve and the funds shall remain unspent until appropriated by an act of the
General Assembly.
(6) $75,000,000
to the Department of Public Instruction for emergency school nutrition services
services, including innovative school meals, provided to students
in response to COVID‑19 by public school units participating in the
National School Lunch Program or Program, School Breakfast Program
Program, or Summer Food Service Program from March 16, 2020, through
the end of the 2019‑2020 school year. December 30, 2020. Funds
for these services shall be allocated in the same manner as if the
participating public
school units were reimbursed by school meal receipts or federal funds.
(32) $5,000,000 $7,425,000
to OSBM to allocate to the North Carolina Association of Free and
Charitable Clinics (NCAFCC), a nonprofit organization, to be used for
distribution to its member clinics to cover the cost of eligible health
services provided during the COVID‑19 emergency. emergency and
other costs allowed pursuant to federal guidance. By August 1, 2020, NCAFCC
shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human
Services and the Fiscal Research Division on a plan for allocating the funds
received under this section, and by February 1, 2021, on the use of these funds
by recipients.
(34) $5,000,000 $7,425,000
to OSBM to allocate to the North Carolina Community Health Centers Center
Association (NCHCA), (NCCHCA), a nonprofit organization, to
be used for distribution to its member health centers to cover the cost of
eligible health services provided during the COVID‑19 emergency. emergency
and other costs allowed pursuant to federal guidance. By August 1, 2020, NCHCA
NCCHCA shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on
Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division on a plan for
allocating the funds received under this section, and by February 1, 2021, on
the use of these funds by recipients.
(42) $2,250,000 $3,550,000
to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social
Services, to assist in serving children in foster care during the COVID‑19
emergency. These funds shall be used for monthly supplemental payments in the
amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each child receiving foster care
assistance payments for the months of beginning with the month of April
2020, through June 2020.2020 and continuing until funds are
exhausted.
(44) $5,000,000 $15,000,000
to the Department of Commerce for a North Carolina nonprofit corporation
with which the Department contracts pursuant to G.S. 143B‑431.01(b)
as a stimulus investment in Visit North Carolina's marketing budget to be used
for the following purposes and in the following amounts:
a. $4,500,000 $14,500,000
for developing COVID‑19‑specific concepts, strategies, and
materials tailored to educate people on ways to (i) travel in a safe and
socially distant way and (ii) prevent community reintroduction of the pandemic.
b. $500,000 for research tools and analysis necessary to implement the provisions of this subdivision.
(47) $10,000,000 to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to be used in accordance with Section 4.2A of this act.
(48) $2,000,000 to the General Assembly to be used to cover allowable costs incurred as a result of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
(49) $750,000 to the Department of Information Technology, Government Data Analytics Center (GDAC), to develop a COVID‑19 economic analytics and reporting tool to provide insight into how State and federal assistance is impacting North Carolina businesses. The GDAC shall consult with the Office of State Budget and Management and the Golden LEAF Foundation on development of the tool and leverage its existing public‑private partnerships to develop the platform.
(50) $4,800,000 to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to be used for the UNC School of Medicine's Asheville Campus, a joint program between the UNC School of Medicine, other UNC System universities, and the Mountain Area Health Education Center for COVID‑19 related response activities, including outreach and education.
(51) $15,000,000 to the Department of Commerce for grants awarded by the Economic Investment Committee pursuant to Section 4.2B of this act.
(52) $120,000,000 to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management to be used as the State match for any Federal Emergency Management Agency public assistance funds provided in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
(53) $2,600,000 to OSBM to provide additional funding for the statewide health information exchange network known as NC HealthConnex, in order to implement the following COVID‑19 related operations and improvements for NC HealthConnex:
a. Building bidirectional data exchanges and patient matching services between NC HealthConnex and the State's electronic disease surveillance systems, NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System and NC Disease Event Tracking and Epidemiologic Collection Tool (NC DETECT), to better monitor the ongoing impact of COVID‑19 in North Carolina.
b. Developing public health dashboards to enable health care providers to identify emerging trends and at‑risk populations to support operations and point of care decisions.
c. Providing COVID‑19 test results delivery services to NC HealthConnex participants to support care coordination and help ensure the safety of frontline providers.
d. Providing care management teams with detailed clinical histories and identification of emerging at‑risk patients for improved patient care.
e. Developing a pilot analytics project to (i) identify skilled nursing facilities, group homes, and other long‑term care facilities at greatest risk for COVID‑19 outbreaks and associated complications, (ii) assist state surveyors with quality assurance, and (iii) target specific public health interventions, funding opportunities, policies, and patient safety regulations that are most effective in preventing the spread of infectious disease in these facilities.
The purpose of this subdivision is to enable the use of near real‑time data in monitoring and analyzing the number of patients who have been confirmed positive with, tested for, suspected of having, or received medical care for symptoms associated with COVID‑19, for a more complete understanding of the true impact of the virus and to quickly identify emerging hotspots for public health intervention. The OSBM shall work with the North Carolina Health Information Exchange Authority (NC HIEA), consistent with NC HIEA's duties under G.S. 90‑515.7(12), to leverage existing public‑private partnerships for the development and implementation of the COVID‑19 related operations and improvements described in this subdivision. The NC HIEA shall execute any required contractual and interagency agreements within 30 days after the effective date of this subdivision.
(54) $3,500,000 to the Administrative Office of the Courts to be used as a grant for Caitlyn's Courage, Inc., in accordance with Section 4.2C of this act.
(55) $2,000,000 to the Wildlife Resources Commission, to be allocated to the Outdoor Heritage Special Fund (Budget Code: 24351; Fund Code: 2291) for the Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council's NC Schools Go Outside grant program to provide local opportunities for young people to reengage with learning experiences in safe outdoor settings.
(56) $400,000 to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for the State Library's NC Kids Digital Library for enhancement of digital offerings to students lacking physical access to local libraries due to the COVID‑19 emergency.
(57) $400,000 to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to allocate to the North Carolina Museum of History for (i) the development and implementation of and access to virtual history programs for statewide student educational purposes and (ii) online public access to the historical content of the North Carolina Museum of History during the closure of facilities due to the impact of "stay‑at‑home" orders.
(58) $1,000,000 to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to allocate to the North Carolina Zoological Park ("Zoo") to facilitate and assist with the costs of health and safety enhancements to protect the public and Zoo staff, ensuring the limited reopening of the Zoo does not result in community spread of COVID‑19.
(59) $725,000 to the Department of Commerce to allocate to the High Point International Home Furnishings Market Authority Corporation, a nonprofit corporation, to expand and enhance public health and safety measures to enable the Market to open during its international shows which are critical to North Carolina's economy and jobs.
(60) $1,500,000 to the Department of Commerce for a North Carolina nonprofit corporation with which the Department contracts pursuant to G.S. 143B‑431.01(b), for grants targeted for those areas of the State that are most dependent on the travel and tourism economy to promote North Carolina tourism as the State begins to reopen. The nonprofit corporation shall consult with the North Carolina Travel Industry Association, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, to disburse the grants described in this subdivision.
(61) $500,000 to the Department of Commerce to allocate to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center to provide grants and educational job placement services to connect workers displaced or unemployed due to COVID‑19 with essential job openings at life science companies that are currently working on treatment, therapy, vaccines, and equipment in response to COVID‑19.
(62) $2,500,000 to the Department of Commerce to be used in accordance with Section 4.2D of this act.
(63) $7,000,000 to the Department of Public Instruction to provide personal protective equipment for public schools, in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic, to facilitate in‑person instruction for the 2020‑2021 school year. Personal protective equipment provided pursuant to this subdivision shall meet applicable federal standards and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(64) $5,000,000 to the Department of Public Instruction to hold in reserve and to award as grants, in the discretion of the Department, to public school units that apply for funds to provide access to services for exceptional children who have lost critical services as a result of school closures related to COVID‑19.
(65) $3,000,000 to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke for an advanced analytics project focusing on providing a better understanding of the nature and impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic, particularly in rural and at‑risk communities.
(66) $2,000,000 to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke for the Department of Nursing in the College of Health Sciences for assistance with specialized medical and patient safety training to address the unique settings and procedures necessary when caring for COVID‑19 patients in a variety of facility settings.
(67) $5,000,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, to be allocated to group homes for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, or both, to support the implementation of recommended Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for preventive measures to address the introduction and spread of COVID‑19 among residents and staff of these facilities. As used in this subdivision, "group home" means any facility that (i) is licensed under Chapter 122C of the General Statutes, (ii) meets one of the definitions of a supervised living facility under 10A NCAC 27G .5601(c)(1) through 10A NCAC 27G .5601(c)(3), and 10A NCAC 27G .5601(c)(6), and (iii) serves minors or adults whose primary diagnosis is mental illness or a developmental disability but may also have other diagnoses.
(68) $7,000,000 to OSBM to be allocated as grants in equal amounts to the following hospitals: (i) Good Hope Hospital, Inc., (ii) Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, (iii) Cape Fear Valley Health Hoke Hospital, (iv) Catawba Valley Medical Center, (v) Davis Regional Medical Center, (vi) Carolinas Healthcare System Blue Ridge, and (vii) AdventHealth Hendersonville. These funds shall be used to offset expenses incurred for providing patient care in North Carolina to respond to the COVID‑19 pandemic. Grant recipients shall not use these funds for any purpose other than to offset the following costs related to patient care provided in North Carolina as a result of the COVID‑19 pandemic:
a. Up to sixty percent (60%) of lost revenues from foregone elective procedures during the emergency period, net of federal funds received from the CARES Act.
b. Supplies and equipment purchased in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
c. Rapid ramp up of infection control and triage training for health care professionals.
d. A retrofit of separate areas to screen and treat patients with suspected COVID‑19 infections, including isolation areas in or around hospital emergency departments.
e. An increase in the number of patient care beds to provide surge capacity.
f. Transportation of patients with confirmed or suspected COVID‑19 safely to or from rural facilities.
g. Development of plans, provision of training, and the implementation of expanded telehealth capabilities.
h. The procurement of staff or consultants to help mitigate the burden of extensive review of new and incoming federal and State regulatory guidelines.
i. Salary support for furloughed employees.
As a condition of receiving the funds allocated in this subdivision, each grant recipient shall submit a detailed written report to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by December 1, 2020, that contains a breakdown of all expenditures from the funds received under this subdivision and the total amount of funds received from the Provider Relief Fund provided for in P.L. 116‑136 and any other COVID‑19 recovery legislation or other legislation enacted by Congress during calendar year 2020 to support the national response to COVID‑19.
(69) $2,500,000 to OSBM to allocate to any county designated as a development tier two area, as defined in G.S. 143B‑437.08, with a population of less than 150,000, that has a hospital located within its borders meeting all of the following criteria: (i) provided care to patients in North Carolina related to the COVID‑19 pandemic, (ii) is not affiliated with a university health system, and (iii) filed a petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code within the five‑month period preceding the effective date of this section. The county shall distribute these allocated funds to each eligible hospital for the purpose of offsetting expenses incurred for providing care to patients in North Carolina as a result of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Any county, county officer, county official, or county employee who uses these allocated funds for any purpose other than the purpose specified in this subdivision shall be subject to a civil action by the State and held personally liable to reimburse the State. These funds shall be used to offset expenses incurred for providing patient care in North Carolina to respond to the COVID‑19 pandemic. Grant recipients shall not use these funds for any purpose other than to offset the following costs related to patient care provided in North Carolina as a result of the COVID‑19 pandemic:
a. Up to sixty percent (60%) of lost revenues from foregone elective procedures during the emergency period, net of federal funds received from the CARES Act.
b. Supplies and equipment purchased in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
c. Rapid ramp up of infection control and triage training for health care professionals.
d. A retrofit of separate areas to screen and treat patients with suspected COVID‑19 infections, including isolation areas in or around hospital emergency departments.
e. An increase in the number of patient care beds to provide surge capacity.
f. Transportation of patients with confirmed or suspected COVID‑19 safely to or from rural facilities.
g. Development of plans, provision of training, and the implementation of expanded telehealth capabilities.
h. The procurement of staff or consultants to help mitigate the burden of extensive review of new and incoming federal and State regulatory guidelines.
i. Salary support for furloughed employees.
(70) $4,300,000 to OSBM to be allocated to the Children's Advocacy Centers (CACNC) of North Carolina, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, to be distributed to child advocacy centers in this State that are in good standing with CACNC to cover the cost of increased child caseloads and the statewide provision of more effective and available virtual counseling due to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
(71) $375,000 to OSBM to be allocated to the Crossnore School and Children's Home, a nonprofit child welfare organization, supporting children and families in crisis in this State, for COVID‑19 related preventative measures to protect staff and children in a close congregate living facility."
SECTION 1.1.(e) S.L. 2020‑4 is amended by adding the following new sections to read:
"Appropriation for Small Meat Processors Assistance
"SECTION 4.2A.(a) Findings. The General Assembly finds that the COVID‑19 emergency has resulted in serious and substantial impacts on the food supply chain. In particular, small livestock producers in the State have found that bottlenecks and lack of capacity among the small and independent meat processors who serve small livestock producers due to COVID‑19 related slowdowns and capacity reductions have had a substantial negative impact on their ability to have their animals slaughtered and processed. The General Assembly further finds that financial assistance to these processors for physical expansion and facility improvements, for workforce development, and for the creation of additional processing capacity is necessary to reduce disruptions in the supply chain for fresh meat and to help small producers get their product to market.
"SECTION 4.2A.(b) Use. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall determine whether the funds allocated in subdivision (47) of Section 3.3 of this act are sufficient to improve COVID‑19 related slowdowns and mitigate capacity reductions. If the Department determines funding is not sufficient, the Department shall notify the State Controller, and the State Controller shall deposit the funds into the Coronavirus Relief Reserve. Amounts deposited into the Reserve under this subsection are receipts that do not constitute an "appropriation made by law," as that phrase is used in Section 7(1) of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution. If the Department determines funding is sufficient, the Department shall use the funds to provide grants as specified in subsection (c) of this section to reduce or prevent impacts on the supply chain for fresh meat in the State caused by COVID‑19, or to improve the resiliency of the fresh meat supply chain to future pandemics.
"SECTION 4.2A.(c) Grant Types and Criteria. The Department shall develop policies and procedures for the disbursement of the grants authorized by this section that include, at a minimum, the following:
(1) The Department may provide three categories of grants:
a. Capacity enhancement grant. This grant is available to an eligible meat processing facility that is experiencing slowdowns in production or has limited capacity to accommodate increased demand for meat processing due to the COVID‑19 pandemic. A capacity enhancement grant may be used for expansion of an existing eligible facility and for fixtures or equipment at an existing eligible facility that will expand animal throughput, processing capacity, the amount or type of products produced, or processing speed.
b. Workforce development grant. This grant is available to an eligible meat processing facility that is experiencing slowdowns in production or has limited capacity to accommodate increased demand for meat processing due to workforce limitations or reductions due to the COVID‑19 pandemic. A workforce development grant may be used for educational and workforce training provided either by the facility or by an institution of higher education.
c. Planning grant. This grant is available to a nonprofit entity or institution of higher education to complete feasibility or siting studies for a new eligible meat processing facility.
(2) Eligible facility. For purposes of this section, an eligible meat processing facility is a meat processing facility that either:
a. Meets both of the following requirements:
1. The plant contracts with independent livestock producers to process animals owned by the producers.
2. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) contracts with Department inspectors to conduct federal inspection activities authorized by the Talmadge‑Aiken Act of 1962 (7 U.S.C. § 1633) at the plant, the plant is otherwise regulated by the USDA, or the plant is a State‑inspected facility; or
b. Is a catfish aquaculture operation that raises and processes catfish.
(3) The Department may prioritize projects that will create additional jobs.
(4) Recipients shall provide matching funds for the grant in the amount of one dollar ($1.00) from nongrant sources for every two dollars ($2.00) provided by the grant.
Funds received by the Department under this section shall be transferred to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) and OSBM shall transfer the amount of the disallowed allocation to the Reserve established in Section 2.1 of this act. Amounts transferred into the Coronavirus Relief Reserve pursuant to this section are receipts that do not constitute an "appropriation made by law," as that phrase is used in Section 7(1) of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution.
"job retention grants
"SECTION 4.2B.(a) Purpose, Use. The purpose of this section is to use funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to help businesses in North Carolina during the COVID‑19 pandemic by providing economic support to businesses and nonprofits who experienced business interruption in connection with the COVID‑19 pandemic and who did not participate in the federal Paycheck Protection Program, the federal Main Street Lending Program, or the North Carolina Rapid Recovery Loan Program. The Department of Commerce may use a percentage of the funds allocated in subdivision (51) of Section 3.3 of this act, not to exceed five percent (5%), as necessary for the administration of this program and shall use the remainder of the funds to provide grants awarded by the Economic Investment Committee for the program and purpose provided in this section.
"SECTION 4.2B.(b) Job Retention Program. There is created the COVID‑19 Job Retention Program to be administered by the Economic Investment Committee. The Committee may provide a one‑time grant to a business or nonprofit that retained jobs during and after the COVID‑19 pandemic and meets the conditions of this section.
"SECTION 4.2B.(c) Eligibility. A business or nonprofit is eligible for a grant under this Program if it meets all of the following conditions:
(1) It employs at least ninety percent (90%) of the number of full‑time employees, or full‑time equivalent employees, during the COVID‑19 period in North Carolina as it employed in North Carolina for the pay period ending on or about February 28, 2020.
(2) It demonstrates that it experienced an economic loss in connection with the COVID‑19 pandemic as follows:
a. For a business, its sales for the COVID‑19 period are at least ten percent (10%) below its sales for the same period in the preceding calendar year.
b. For a nonprofit, its gross receipts for the COVID‑19 period are at least ten percent (10%) below its gross receipts for the same period in the preceding calendar year.
(3) It did not participate in the Paycheck Protection Program, the Main Street Lending Program, or the Rapid Recovery Loan Program.
"SECTION 4.2B.(d) Maximum Grant Amount. The grant amount may be up to two months of the eligible entity's average monthly payroll costs from the last year plus an additional twenty‑five percent (25%) of that amount. The grant amount may not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000).
"SECTION 4.2B.(e) Grant Program Limit. The total of all funds granted under this Program may not exceed fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000). The Economic Investment Committee must calculate the total amount of grants requested from the applications timely filed under subsection (f) of this section. If the total amount of grants requested exceeds the maximum amount of funds available under this subsection, the Committee must reduce each grant award on a proportionate basis. The Committee's grant determinations based on applications timely filed are final.
"SECTION 4.2B.(f) Application. A business must apply to the Economic Investment Committee for a grant on a form prescribed by the Committee and must include any supporting documentation required by the Committee. The application must be filed with the Committee on or before September 1, 2020. The Committee may not accept late applications.
"SECTION 4.2B.(g) Definitions. The following definitions apply in this section:
(1) Business. An entity subject to income tax under Article 4 of Chapter 105 of the General Statutes.
(2) CARES Act. The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, P.L. 116‑136.
(3) COVID‑19 period. The period beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending on May 31, 2020.
(4) Economic Investment Committee. Defined in G.S. 143B‑437.51.
(5) Full‑time employee. Defined in G.S. 143B‑437.51.
(6) Main Street Lending Program. Defined in section 4027 of the CARES Act.
(7) Nonprofit. An entity exempt from income tax under G.S. 105‑130.11(a)(3) or G.S. 105‑130.11(a)(6).
(8) Paycheck Protection Program. Defined in sections 1102 and 1106 of the CARES Act.
(9) Payroll costs. Same meaning as defined for purposes of the Paycheck Protection Program, including the one hundred thousand dollar ($100,000) annualized cap amount for each employee.
(10) Rapid Recovery Loan Program. Loans provided under Section 4.2 of this act.
(11) Sales. Defined in G.S. 105‑130.4.
"Domestic Violence Prevention Pilot Program
"SECTION 4.2C.(a) The General Assembly finds that the COVID‑19 pandemic has exacerbated isolation, uncertainty, and economic instability, which has led to an increase in domestic violence, and due to the stay‑at‑home orders in effect, victims are more at‑risk and vulnerable than ever before. It further finds that in order to combat the rising rate of domestic violence due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, victims need access to technology that provides instantaneous notification if the offender is within close proximity.
"SECTION 4.2C.(b) The funds allocated in subdivision (54) of Section 3.3 of this act to the Administrative Office of the Courts shall be used to provide a grant to Caitlyn's Courage, Inc., to conduct domestic violence prevention pilot programs (pilot programs) in at least nine judicial districts, three of which shall have small district court caseloads, three of which shall have medium district court caseloads, and three of which shall have large district court caseloads. Caitlyn's Courage, Inc., shall consult and collaborate with the Administrative Office of the Courts and with the Chief District Court Judges of each of the selected judicial districts when developing pilot program implementation plans for each judicial district.
"SECTION 4.2C.(c) The pilot programs created by this section shall do each of the following:
(1) Provide judges in the participating judicial districts the option to use global positioning system (GPS) electronic monitoring devices as a condition of pretrial release for defendants of crimes related to stalking, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and violations of a domestic violence protective order.
(2) Establish local implementation teams that shall, at a minimum, consider for inclusion (i) district court judges, (ii) superior court judges, (iii) assistant and elected district attorneys, (iv) assistant and appointed public defenders, (v) deputy, assistant, and elected clerks of superior court, (vi) law enforcement officers, (vii) domestic violence victims advocates, (viii) court support staff, and (ix) representatives of the Department of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice.
(3) Operate a 24‑hour monitoring center that contacts victims if an offender violates a relevant condition of pretrial release or a domestic violence protective order.
(4) Train all pilot program participants, including, but not limited to, victims and offenders, regarding the GPS tracking devices utilized by the pilot programs.
"SECTION 4.2C.(d) The electronic monitoring devices used by the pilot programs shall have each of the following specifications:
(1) The ability to automatically switch cellular networks, ensuring that the device is not dependent upon one particular cellular network provider.
(2) The ability to detect, record, and report the deliberate shielding from receipt of GPS signals.
(3) A disposable strap.
(4) A minimum single charge, 48‑hour battery life via an inaccessible battery with the option of a fixed charger, mobile charger, or both.
(5) The ability to detect and store the time and date of any physical impact to the device at a level high enough to cause malfunction.
(6) The ability to record the offender's immediate location at all times.
(7) The ability to automatically notify the victim if an offender is within a restricted proximity to the victim pursuant to a court order.
"SECTION 4.2C.(e) The funds described in this section shall only be used by Caitlyn's Courage, Inc., for project expenses and shall not be used to pay for lobbying the North Carolina General Assembly, salaries, travel, or other administrative costs.
"SECTION 4.2C.(f) In consultation with participating judicial districts and the East Carolina University Department of Criminal Justice, Caitlyn's Courage, Inc., shall report on the effectiveness of the pilot programs created by this section to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division of the North Carolina General Assembly by April 1, 2021.
"SECTION 4.2C.(g) The report required by this section shall include, at a minimum, each of the following:
(1) Any recommendations regarding the continuation, expansion, or elimination of the pilot programs.
(2) Current and future estimated costs associated with implementing the pilot programs.
(3) Any recommended legislation related to the pilot programs.
"PLASMA GAMES PILOT PROGRAM
"SECTION 4.2D.(a) Program Established. The Department of Commerce, Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Office), shall administer a statewide pilot program (pilot) to promote access to innovative digital and personalized learning solutions for high school students that bridge the gap between chemistry and physical science classes and career and technical education (CTE) career pathways. The local school administrative units shall incorporate the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focused educational software program developed by Plasma Games, Inc., in select STEM classes and their CTE programs to encourage student interest and workforce development for chemistry‑dependent industries located in North Carolina, including careers in the pharmaceutical, agricultural technology, biotechnology, textile, material science, energy, minerals and mining, and chemical manufacturing fields. The pilot shall be conducted for the 2020‑2021 school year.
"SECTION 4.2D.(b) Plans for Pilot Implementation. A local school administrative unit participating in the pilot shall provide the Office with a plan for the placement of the STEM‑focused educational technology developed by Plasma Games, Inc., in its schools. The plan shall include implementation of the educational game as a teaching tool for classroom teachers and a new learning platform for students to increase student engagement and discussion, enrich lessons with real‑world applications and purpose in STEM fields, and create moments of connection for students with lasting impact on their career pathways. The plan shall also include provisions for professional development and training for teachers, administrators, and other school personnel to facilitate the implementation and success of the pilot.
"SECTION 4.2D.(c) Funds for the Pilot. The Office shall use the funds allocated in subdivision (62) of Section 3.3 of this act to provide funds to local school administrative units participating in the pilot. These funds shall be used for licensing fees for the educational software, Plasma Games' operating costs, and for implementation of the pilot by the local school administrative units.
"SECTION 4.2D.(d) Reporting Requirements. The local school administrative units participating in the pilot shall provide a report by May 1, 2021, to the Office on implementation of the pilot for that school year, including (i) the use of the funds described in subsection (c) of this section, (ii) the number of students impacted by the pilot and the number of students pursing STEM‑related CTE career pathways as a result of the pilot, measured by the number of students declaring interest in a career with a chemistry‑dependent industry located in North Carolina and the number of students pursuing higher education in a chemistry‑related major or technical certification at a school in North Carolina, (iii) demand and feedback by teachers on the use of the STEM‑focused educational technology, and (iv) any other information requested by the Office.
The Office shall provide a report by June 1, 2021, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division on the implementation of the pilot and the information reported by participating local school administrative units pursuant to this section. The report shall include any data on student outcomes related to implementation of the pilot, the expenditure of funds described in subsection (c) of this section, and recommendations by the Office on modification of the pilot and the need for continued support."
SECTION 1.1.(f) Section 4.23(e) of S.L. 2020‑3 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 4.23.(e) This
section is effective when it becomes law and expires August 1, 31, 2020."
SECTION 1.2. The portion of Section 1.1(d) of this act amending Section 3.3(4) of S.L. 2020‑4 becomes effective June 15, 2020.
part II. Technical and other changes
Technical Changes
SECTION 2.1.(a) Section 1.7 of S.L. 2020‑4 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 1.7. In addition to any report required
under this act or any other law, OSBM shall provide a report to the Joint
Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Fiscal Research
Division by March April 1, 2021, detailing the use of funds
allocated under Section 3.3 of this act. Additionally, each State agency or
department that receives federal grant funds under Section 4.1 of this act
shall provide a report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental
Operations and the Fiscal Research Division no later than 90 days from the day
the grant period ends detailing the use of funds. The report required from OSBM
under this section shall include the amount of funds allocated to each State
agency, State department, and nonprofit organization; how the funds were used
by each State agency, State department, and nonprofit organization; and the
amount of funds allocated to each State agency, State department, and nonprofit
organization that remained unspent as of December 30, 2020. The report required
from each State agency or department that receives federal grant funds under
Section 4.1 of this act shall include the amount of funds granted, the source
of the funds, how the funds were used, and the amount of funds that remained
unspent at the end of the grant period."
SECTION 2.1.(b) Section 1.8 of S.L. 2020‑4 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 1.8. The
State Auditor shall conduct a preliminary financial audit and a final
performance audit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund created by this act no later
than March April 1, 2021."
transportation allotment Funds
SECTION 2.2.(a) For the 2020‑2021 fiscal year, the Department of Public Instruction may withhold up to twelve million dollars ($12,000,000) from the transportation allotment and instead allocate those funds, as necessary, for transportation expenses related to emergency school nutrition services provided between July 1, 2020, and the beginning of the 2020‑2021 school year by public school units participating in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, or Summer Food Service Program.
SECTION 2.2.(b) This section becomes effective July 1, 2020.
STUDENT MEAL DEBT REPORT AND REDUCED‑PRICE LUNCH CO‑PAYS
SECTION 2.3.(a) No later than October 15, 2021, the State Board of Education shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on unpaid meal charges in local school administrative units. At a minimum, the report shall include the following information:
(1) The percentage of students of all grade levels in each local school administrative unit who (i) qualify for and participate in reduced‑price meals and (ii) do not carry an unpaid meal charge.
(2) The total amount of debt carried by each local school administrative unit related to unpaid meal charges.
(3) Summaries of approaches adopted by each local school administrative unit regarding unpaid meal charges.
(4) Options for a statewide policy on the uniform administration of unpaid meal charges in local school administrative units. Every option shall ensure that students are not prevented from receiving nutritious meals because of an unpaid meal charge.
SECTION 2.3.(b) For the 2020‑2021 fiscal year, the Department of Public Instruction shall transfer the sum of three million nine hundred thousand dollars ($3,900,000) in nonrecurring funds from the cash balance in the School Bus Replacement Fund (Budget Code: 73510; Fund Code: 7200) to the State Public School Fund (Budget Code: 13510; Fund Code: 1830). Funds transferred pursuant to this section are hereby appropriated to provide school lunches at no cost to students of all grade levels qualifying for reduced‑price meals in all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program in the 2020‑2021 school year. If these funds are insufficient to provide school lunches at no cost to students qualifying for reduced‑price meals, the Department of Public Instruction shall also use any excess funds appropriated for the National School Breakfast Program for the purposes of this subsection.
SECTION 2.3.(c) This section becomes effective July 1, 2020.
FUNDS FOR BUSINESS SYSTEM MODERNIZATION PLAN
SECTION 2.4.(a) The Office of State Budget and Management shall reduce the appropriations from the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund to the School Technology Fund by the sum of eighteen million dollars ($18,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year. There is appropriated from the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund to the State Public School Fund the sum of eighteen million dollars ($18,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year. The Office of State Budget and Management shall reduce the appropriations to the State Public School Fund from the General Fund by the sum of eighteen million dollars ($18,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year.
SECTION 2.4.(b) From the funds made available pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction the sum of eighteen million dollars ($18,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year to provide for the implementation of the School Business System Modernization Plan as set out in S.L. 2017‑57, to include an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for integrated payroll and human resources information, an integrated State‑level licensure system, and reporting of financial information for increased transparency and analytics.
SECTION 2.4.(c) Of the funds appropriated to the Department of Public Instruction by this section for the School Business System Modernization Plan for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year, the Department shall transfer six hundred fifty thousand dollars ($650,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year to the Government Data Analytics Center (GDAC) to leverage existing public‑private partnerships for ongoing support of the annual school report card data system and the School Finance reporting system. Of the six hundred fifty thousand dollars ($650,000) in nonrecurring funds transferred to GDAC for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year, four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) in nonrecurring funds shall be used for the annual school report card data system and two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) in nonrecurring funds shall be for the School Finance reporting system.
SECTION 2.4.(d) No later than October 1, 2020, GDAC shall execute any contractual agreements and interagency data sharing agreements necessary to accomplish the reporting system established pursuant to Section 7.16 of S.L. 2017‑57, as amended by Section 7.6 of S.L. 2018‑5. The Department of Public Instruction and GDAC shall continue partnering to accomplish the continued development, deployment, and ongoing provision of a data integration service that consolidates data from financial, human resources, licensure, student information, and EVAAS.
SECTION 2.4.(e) This section becomes effective July 1, 2020.
WAIVE MATCH REQUIREMENT/COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROCESS FOR NONPROFITS
SECTION 2.5. Notwithstanding Section 11A.14(b)(2) of S.L. 2017‑57, in effect pursuant to Section 3.6(b)(1) of S.L. 2019‑242, for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year, the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Central Management and Support, shall waive the fifteen percent (15%) match requirement for the competitive grants process for nonprofit organizations.
STREAMLINING CLAIMS FOR PROPERTY DURING THE COVID-19 ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
SECTION 2.6.(a) G.S. 116B-67 reads as rewritten:
"§ 116B‑67. Claim for property paid or delivered to the Treasurer.
(a) A person, excluding another state, claiming
property paid or delivered to the Treasurer may file a claim on a form prescribed
by the Treasurer and verified by the claimant.claimant if the amount
claimed exceeds two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). For all other claims, the
Unclaimed Property Division may pay the rightful owner upon verification of
ownership by the Treasurer.
(e) The claimant or claimants and the holder, if the holder either certifies that the claimant is the owner under subsection (b) of this section or recovers money and property from the Treasurer under G.S. 116B‑63, shall agree to indemnify, save harmless, and defend the State, the Treasurer, and the Escheat Fund from any claim arising out of or in connection with refund of the property claimed. In like manner, the claimant shall also agree to indemnify, save harmless, and defend the holder, if the holder certifies the claim under subsection (b) of this section or pays or delivers property to the claimant under G.S. 116B‑63. In the event that a person is not required to submit a claim on a form prescribed by the Treasurer and the claim is paid from the Escheat Fund, then it shall be presumed that the claimant has agreed to indemnify, save harmless, and defend the State, the Treasurer, and the Escheat Fund from any claim arising out of or in connection with refund of the property claimed."
SECTION 2.6.(b) Effective March 15, 2021, G.S. 116B-67, as rewritten by subsection (a) of this section, reads as rewritten:
"§ 116B‑67. Claim for property paid or delivered to the Treasurer.
(a) A person, excluding another state, claiming
property paid or delivered to the Treasurer may file a claim on a form
prescribed by the Treasurer and verified by the claimant if the amount
claimed exceeds two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). For all other claims, the
Unclaimed Property Division may pay the rightful owner upon verification of
ownership by the Treasurer.claimant.
(e) The claimant or claimants and the holder, if the
holder either certifies that the claimant is the owner under subsection (b) of
this section or recovers money and property from the Treasurer under G.S. 116B‑63,
shall agree to indemnify, save harmless, and defend the State, the Treasurer,
and the Escheat Fund from any claim arising out of or in connection with refund
of the property claimed. In like manner, the claimant shall also agree to
indemnify, save harmless, and defend the holder, if the holder certifies the
claim under subsection (b) of this section or pays or delivers property to the
claimant under G.S. 116B‑63. In the event that a person is not
required to submit a claim on a form prescribed by the Treasurer and the claim
is paid from the Escheat Fund, then it shall be presumed that the claimant has
agreed to indemnify, save harmless, and defend the State, the Treasurer, and
the Escheat Fund from any claim arising out of or in connection with refund of
the property claimed."
SWEETPOTATO ADVISORY COUNCIL CHANGES
SECTION 2.7.(a). G.S. 106-1066(4), as enacted by Section 6 of S.L. 2020-18, reads as rewritten:
"(4) "North Carolina Sweetpotato Quality and Branding Advisory Council" means the advisory council established pursuant to G.S. 106-1070."
SECTION 2.7.(b) G.S. 106-1069, as enacted by Section 6 of S.L. 2020-18, reads as rewritten:
"§ 106‑1069. Standards for grades.
The most recent standards for grades adopted by the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Potatoes are adopted by reference and shall be the standards for grades in this State, except that the Commissioner may establish tolerances or allowable percentages of United States standards each season upon the recommendation of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Quality and Branding Advisory Council."
SECTION 2.7.(c) G.S. 106-1070, as enacted by Section 6 of S.L. 2020-18, reads as rewritten:
"§ 106‑1070. North Carolina Sweetpotato Quality and Branding Advisory Council.
The Commissioner shall appoint a
North Carolina Sweetpotato Advisory Council, There is established within the Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services the North Carolina Sweetpotato Quality and Branding
Advisory Council. The Commissioner of Agriculture shall serve as chair, and the
members of the Advisory Council shall be appointed by the North Carolina
SweetPotato Commission, to consist of
individuals involved in growing, packing, or growing and packing North Carolina
sweetpotatoes; at least one sweetpotato processor; at least one sweetpotato
retailer; at least one county cooperative extension agent familiar with the production
of North Carolina sweetpotatoes; the Executive Director of the North
Carolina SweetPotato Commission, and any other person or persons selected
by the Commissioner,North Carolina SweetPotato Commission, for
the purpose of rendering advice upon his or herthe Commissioner's
request regarding the exercise of the Commissioner's authority pursuant to
G.S. 106‑1068. Members shall also provide advice and recommendations to the Commissioner on plant pest
regulatory issues affecting sweetpotatoes, over which the Commissioner has
regulatory jurisdiction. The North Carolina Sweetpotato Quality and Branding
Advisory Council shall meet at least quarterly or as needed upon the request of
the Commissioner. Members of the North
Carolina Sweetpotato Quality and Branding Advisory Council shall receive
no compensation for their service."
MODIFY EXPIRATION DATE OF DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS PRIOR TO RECORDATION OF DEED IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES PROVISION
SECTION 2.8. Section 4.12(b) of S.L. 2020-3 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 4.12.(b) This section is effective when
it becomes law and expires August 1, 2020.March 1, 2021."
EXTEND SUNSET ON REMOTE NOTARY AND VIDEO WITNESSING AUTHORIZATION
SECTION 2.9.(a) G.S. 10B‑10(b1), as enacted by S.L. 2020‑3, reads as rewritten:
"(b1) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, if the Secretary grants a commission after March 9, 2020, and before March 1, 2021, the appointee shall have 90 days to appear before the register of deeds to take the general oath of office. A register of deeds may administer the required oath to such appointee using video conference technology provided the appointee is personally known to the register of deeds or the appointee provides satisfactory evidence of the appointee's identity to the register of deeds. As used in this subsection, video conference technology and satisfactory evidence are as defined in G.S. 10B‑25."
SECTION 2.9.(b) G.S. 10B‑25(n), as enacted by S.L. 2020‑3, reads as rewritten:
"(n) This section shall expire at 12:01 A.M. on March 1, 2021; provided, however, all notarial acts made in accordance with this section and while this section is in effect shall remain effective and shall not need to be reaffirmed."
SECTION 2.9.(c) G.S. 10B‑200(b), as enacted by S.L. 2020‑3, reads as rewritten:
"(b) This Article expires March 1, 2021."
part III. miscellaneous
Effect of prior legislation
SECTION 3.1. The provisions of any legislation enacted during any session of the 2019 General Assembly expressly appropriating funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established in S.L. 2020‑4 to an agency, a department, or an institution covered under this act shall remain in effect, except where expressly repealed or amended by this act or any of the following acts of the 2019 General Assembly:
(1) S.L. 2020‑4.
(2) S.L. 2020‑14.
(3) Senate Bill 805 of the 2019 Regular Session.
(4) Senate Bill 808 of the 2019 Regular Session.
(5) Senate Bill 816 of the 2019 Regular Session.
(6) Senate Bill 836 of the 2019 Regular Session.
(7) House Bill 1071 of the 2019 Regular Session.
(8) House Bill 1087 of the 2019 Regular Session.
(9) House Bill 1229 of the 2019 Regular Session.
Unexpended coronavirus relief funds
SECTION 3.2. If federal law or guidance is amended to allow the use of funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund for revenue replacement, the Office of State Budget and Management shall deposit any remaining funds in the Coronavirus Relief Reserve in the General Fund as nontax revenue in fiscal year 2020‑2021. The funds shall remain unappropriated unless the General Assembly appropriates the funds in a subsequent act of the General Assembly.
Use of Coronavirus Relief Funds to CREATE offsets
SECTION 3.3. If Senate Bill 805, 2019 Regular Session, or substantially similar legislation becomes law, and federal law or guidance is amended to allow the use of funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund for revenue replacement, then the Office of State Budget and Management may use the six hundred forty‑five million dollars ($645,000,000) appropriated from the Coronavirus Relief Fund in that act for revenue replacement and the requirement in that act to establish the Statewide Reserve for Appropriations and reduce its negative appropriation balance is repealed.
EFFECT OF HEADINGS
SECTION 3.4. The headings to the parts, subparts, and sections of this act are a convenience to the reader and are for reference only. The headings do not expand, limit, or define the text of this act, except for effective dates referring to a part or subpart.
SEVERABILITY
SECTION 3.5. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this act that can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are severable.
EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 3.6. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 25th day of June, 2020.
s/ Philip E. Berger
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
s/ David R. Lewis
Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives
s/ Roy Cooper
Governor
Approved 5:35 p.m. this 1st day of July, 2020