NC H671

H671: Competitive Speech and Debate Grant Pilot

• Establishes a four-year pilot program (2025-2026 through 2028-2029) providing grants to NC public high schools to develop, maintain, or expand competitive speech and debate teams
• Grants capped at $10,000 per team per school year, with coach stipends limited to $2,500 for lead coach and $1,500 for assistant coach
• Funds may cover coach stipends, league/competition fees, and travel expenses; participating teams must join the Tarheel Forensic League and National Speech and Debate Association
• Students whose schools lack a team may participate at the geographically closest school that has one, though they must provide their own transportation
• Appropriates $500,000 in nonrecurring funds per fiscal year for four years, with annual reporting to the legislature required by February 15