NC H1078

Establishes the Educational Field Trips Grant Program administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction to assist local school administrative units and charter schools with off-site educational enrichment experiences.

Eligible field trip destinations include State parks and forests, State aquariums, State zoo, State capital, federal capital, and historic sites including Mount Vernon.

Provides matching grants at a 1:1 ratio, with grant amounts not to exceed $15,000 for in-State field trips and $30,000 for out-of-state field trips.

Appropriates $10,000,000 in recurring General Fund dollars to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2018-2019 fiscal year to fund the matching grants.

Requires the Superintendent to establish application criteria and guidelines by August 15, 2018, with grant selection prioritizing schools with fewer resources and geographic diversity across the State.