A new bill filed by State Rep. Rodney D. Pierce in the North Carolina House aims to increase funding for public schools through a surtax on high-income earners, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 1073 on April 28 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Fair Share for Public Schools Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill adds a 7% state income tax on the portion of an individual’s North Carolina taxable income that exceeds $1 million each year. It specifies that the existing tax rate reduction trigger does not apply to this high-income tax rate. After subtracting the Department of Revenue’s administrative costs, up to $100,000 annually, the bill directs all revenue from this surtax to the State Public School Fund. The funds must be allotted by the State Board of Education to local school administrative units on a per pupil basis. The bill takes effect for taxable years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Lindsey Prather proposed the most bills (38) 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.
Pierce graduated from Halifax Community College in 2010 with an AA and again from North Carolina Wesleyan University with a BA.
Pierce, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 27th House district, replacing previous state representative Michael Wray.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodney D. Pierce, Allen Buansi, Amber M. Baker, and Lindsey Prather | HB 1073 | 04/28/2026 | Fair Share for Public Schools Act. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Bryan Cohn, and Phil Rubin | HB 1046 | 04/23/2026 | NC Economic Progress and Well-Being. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, B. Ray Jeffers, James Roberson, and Renée A. Price | HB 1021 | 04/21/2026 | Funds for Facilities of DAV Organizations. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Carolyn G. Logan, and James Roberson | HB 1022 | 04/21/2026 | Pickleball Wellness Initiative: Health Equity. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Beth Helfrich, Eric Ager, and Zack Hawkins | HB 937 | 04/10/2025 | Keeping Our Coaches Act. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Dante Pittman, Julia Greenfield, and Shelly Willingham | HB 653 | 04/01/2025 | Adjust FMAP Trigger for Medicaid Expansion. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Jonathan L. Almond, Tricia Ann Cotham, and Zack Hawkins | HB 688 | 04/01/2025 | Funds for Inclusive Playgrounds. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Brian Turner, Eric Ager, and Lindsey Prather | HB 599 | 03/31/2025 | Award NC Forest Service Pay Increase. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, B. Ray Jeffers, James Roberson, and Renée A. Price | HB 601 | 03/31/2025 | Funds for Facilities of DAV Organizations. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Brandon Lofton, Cynthia Ball, and Phil Rubin | HB 608 | 03/31/2025 | Protect Health and Gov’t Personnel Info. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, B. Ray Jeffers, Dante Pittman, and Eric Ager | HB 617 | 03/31/2025 | Supporting Small Farmers for NC’s Future Act. |
| Rodney D. Pierce | HB 530 | 03/26/2025 | Funds/Halifax, Northampton, Warren Counties. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, and Lindsey Prather | HB 531 | 03/26/2025 | Addressing NC’s Teacher Crisis/NTSP. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Dante Pittman, Lindsey Prather, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 507 | 03/25/2025 | The Children First Act. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Charles W. Miller, Jerry “Alan” Branson, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 466 | 03/19/2025 | Birthplace of Am. Independence Special Plate. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 325 | 03/06/2025 | Legislative Building Field Trip Pilot Program. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 340 | 03/06/2025 | Universal AIG Screening in Middle Schools. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Garland E. Pierce, Julie von Haefen, and Sarah Crawford | HB 179 | 02/24/2025 | Labor Org. Membership Dues Tax Deductible. |
| Rodney D. Pierce | HB 158 | 02/21/2025 | SchCalFlex/Warren,Weldon,Halifax,RR/Open Cal. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Grant L. Campbell, MD, Mark Brody, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 128 | 02/13/2025 | Establish Prostate Cancer Control Program. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Bill Ward, Jarrod Lowery, and Mike Clampitt | HB 103 | 02/11/2025 | NC Am. Indian Hunting/Fishing Rights. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Frances Jackson, PhD, Jordan Lopez, and Pricey Harrison | HB 77 | 02/10/2025 | Environmental Justice. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, James Roberson, Monika Johnson-Hostler, and Zack Hawkins | HB 65 | 02/05/2025 | Sigma Gamma Rho Special Registration Plate. |
