Senate Bill 36 Summary

• Extends the Extra Credit Grant Program deadline to May 31, 2021, allowing individuals who did not initially qualify to file amended returns or apply for $335 grants if they had a qualifying child and met residency requirements.

• Revises COVID-19 relief fund expenditure deadlines from December 30, 2020, to align with applicable federal law and guidance deadlines, affecting allocations for school nutrition, summer learning programs, health services, and hospital relief funds.

• Establishes the North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office to oversee and coordinate COVID-19 recovery funds, with operations expiring December 31, 2021, and requiring monthly reporting to the General Assembly.

• Appropriates $39 million for the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) program, with $30 million for broadband grants and extends the grant award deadline to March 1, 2021.

• Appropriates an estimated $2.24 billion in federal grant funds for COVID-19 vaccine preparedness ($94.8 million), school emergency relief ($1.6 billion), and emergency rental assistance ($546.6 million).