H259 - 2023 Appropriations Act. (SL 2023-134)

Overview: Section 8.13 of S.L. 2023-134 requires North Carolina State University (NC State) and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) to contract with SAS Institute, Inc. to establish or maintain a software platform to use data collection and analytics to improve agricultural systems and agricultural profitability. Funds will be used for software, equipment installation, cloud hosting, and technical support. NC State and NC A&T will collaborate in the creation and use of these platforms as much as practicable.

No later than August 15, 2025, NC State and NC A&T must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on the impact of the initiative on the following:

• The sustainability and profitability of agricultural systems in the State, including any improved efficiencies.
• Research grants secured by each constituent institution.
• Student and faculty recruitment and retention.
• Engagement and collaboration with private farmers in the State.
• Faculty research on agriculture.
• Collaboration between NC State and NC A&T.

This section became effective July 1, 2023.