A new bill filed by State Rep. Amber M. Baker aims to improve infrastructure, student retention, and workforce readiness at North Carolina’s historically Black colleges and universities, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 1133 on April 29 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘HBCU/HMSI Omnibus.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill creates a legislative study committee to assess infrastructure needs and environmental risks at North Carolina HBCUs and establishes a permanent Completion Assistance Program providing up to $1,000 a year to help eligible students at six UNC campuses stay enrolled and graduate on time, funded with $5 million a year from the Escheat Fund. It appropriates tens of millions of dollars for facility upgrades and expansions at Winston-Salem State University, Elizabeth City State University and several private HBCUs, and increases need-based aid for students at private colleges. The bill also creates and funds a Nursing Fellows forgivable loan program at Winston-Salem State, expands Cheatham-White Scholarships to include that campus, and generally aims to improve infrastructure, completion, and workforce preparation at HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions. Most provisions take effect July 1, 2026.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Zack Hawkins proposed the most bills (57) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Baker graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a BS.
Baker, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 72nd House district, replacing previous state representative Derwin Montgomery.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber M. Baker, Bill Ward, and Zack Hawkins | HB 1133 | 04/29/2026 | HBCU/HMSI Omnibus. |
| Amber M. Baker and Zack Hawkins | HB 1139 | 04/29/2026 | Learning & Enrichment in Afterschool Programs. |
| Amber M. Baker, Allen Buansi, Lindsey Prather, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 1073 | 04/28/2026 | Fair Share for Public Schools Act. |
| Amber M. Baker | HB 1008 | 04/15/2025 | Stalking/Enhanced Penalties. |
| Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, Julie von Haefen, and Zack Hawkins | HB 910 | 04/10/2025 | DRIVE Recommendations/Teacher Diversity. |
| Amber M. Baker, Bill Ward, and Zack Hawkins | HB 957 | 04/10/2025 | HBCU/HMSI Omnibus. |
| Amber M. Baker and Kanika Brown | HB 995 | 04/10/2025 | Shotgun House Funding Act. |
| Amber M. Baker, Brian Turner, Julia Greenfield, and Tim Longest | HB 798 | 04/07/2025 | Expand Access to Cold Weather Shelters/Funds. |
| Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, Julie von Haefen, and Lindsey Prather | HB 807 | 04/07/2025 | Strong Public Schools for a Strong NC. |
| Amber M. Baker, Allison A. Dahle, Cynthia Ball, and Phil Rubin | HB 691 | 04/02/2025 | Voter Protection and Reliance Act. |
| Amber M. Baker, Cecil Brockman, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 709 | 04/02/2025 | K-3 Literacy and Improvement Act. |
| Amber M. Baker, B. Ray Jeffers, James Roberson, and Zack Hawkins | HB 639 | 04/01/2025 | Prioritize In-State Applicants/UNC Ed Schools. |
| Amber M. Baker, Allen Buansi, Allison A. Dahle, and Phil Rubin | HB 580 | 03/31/2025 | SBOE Legislative Changes.-AB |
| Amber M. Baker, Cynthia Ball, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 588 | 03/31/2025 | School Psychologist Omnibus. |
| Amber M. Baker, Dante Pittman, Julie von Haefen, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 521 | 03/26/2025 | Healthy Families & Workplaces/Paid Sick Leave. |
| Amber M. Baker and Kanika Brown | HB 392 | 03/13/2025 | Funds/Forsyth United Way/Summer Learning. |
| Amber M. Baker and Kanika Brown | HB 393 | 03/13/2025 | Funds for One Love Festival. |
| Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, Monika Johnson-Hostler, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 325 | 03/06/2025 | Legislative Building Field Trip Pilot Program. |
| Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, Monika Johnson-Hostler, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 340 | 03/06/2025 | Universal AIG Screening in Middle Schools. |
| Amber M. Baker, Carolyn G. Logan, and James Roberson | HB 249 | 02/27/2025 | Diversity in Pickleball Pilot Program. |
| Amber M. Baker, Carolyn G. Logan, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 168 | 02/21/2025 | North Carolina CROWN Act. |
