North Carolina Senate Bill S35

North Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/25
• Refer: 2/3/25

Caption

Modify Local Workforce Development Board

Summary

Senate Bill 35 would make a targeted change to the duties of the Northeastern Workforce Development Board, which serves Dare, Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan, Gates, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties. The bill amends the state statute governing local workforce development boards to alter the language in G.S. 143B-438.11(a)(7a), which concerns how boards designate providers of adult and dislocated worker services under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. As drafted, the bill appears to narrow or otherwise modify the board’s authority and process for selecting service providers, but it does not create a broad statewide policy change. Instead, it applies only to the named northeastern regional board and takes effect immediately upon becoming law. The practical result would be a local statutory adjustment affecting workforce development administration in that region, especially the selection of entities that deliver employment and training services to adults and dislocated workers.

Impact

The bill would amend G.S. 143B-438.11, the statute governing local workforce development boards, by changing the duties of the Northeastern Workforce Development Board for a specific multi-county region in northeastern North Carolina. Its legal effect is limited to that board and those counties, and it would affect how the board designates providers of adult and dislocated worker services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Because the bill is local in scope, it would not broadly alter workforce board duties statewide, but it would change the statutory framework for workforce service procurement or designation in the affected region.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available materials. The bill’s narrow, administrative focus suggests it is likely intended as a technical or local governance adjustment rather than a controversial policy shift. Based on the text alone, the measure appears neutral and procedural in nature.

Contention

There is no documented contention in the provided record. The only potentially sensitive issue is the change to how the Northeastern Workforce Development Board designates adult and dislocated worker service providers, which could affect existing providers or future competitive selection processes. Any disagreement would likely center on local control, procurement procedures, or which organizations are eligible to deliver workforce services in the affected counties.