The new bill filed by State Rep. Charles Smith aims to boost STEM and quantum computing programs in public schools, supporting partnerships and workforce development in emerging technologies, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 1142 on April 29 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Expand Quantum Computing Education.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill appropriates $2.6 million in one-time funds for the 2026-27 fiscal year to expand STEM programs that prepare public school students for quantum computing, with targeted allocations to school units near military bases and to Durham, Orange and Wake County schools, effective July 1, 2026. It creates a Quantum Computing Grant Program at the North Carolina Collaboratory, funded with $200,000, to support partnerships between eligible colleges and high schools, including Department of Defense schools, for hands-on quantum and emerging technology experiences beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. The bill also establishes an income tax credit, starting with 2027 tax years, for defense and technology-related businesses that fund qualifying experiential learning for North Carolina high school students, capped at $100,000 per business and $10 million total per year.
Of the two 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.
Smith graduated from Emory and Henry College in 2014 and again in 2017 from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a JD.
Smith, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 44th House district, replacing previous state representative Billy Richardson.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Smith and Zack Hawkins | HB 1142 | 04/29/2026 | Expand Quantum Computing Education. |
| Charles Smith, Allen Buansi, Brian Turner, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 1070 | 04/28/2026 | Domestic Violence Divorce Reform Act. |
| Charles Smith, Carson Smith, Jay Adams, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 901 | 04/10/2025 | Recognize Safety Hold Agreements. |
| Charles Smith, Jennifer Balkcom, Nasif Majeed, and Ted Davis, Jr. | HB 961 | 04/10/2025 | Criminal Intent Sentence Enhancement. |
| Charles Smith, Diane Wheatley, and Frances Jackson, PhD | HB 884 | 04/09/2025 | Prepared Food Tax – Modification. |
| Charles Smith, Diane Wheatley, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Mike Colvin | HB 793 | 04/07/2025 | Fayetteville Area Projects. |
| Charles Smith, Diane Wheatley, Hugh Blackwell, and Mike Colvin | HB 701 | 04/02/2025 | Adopt Lafayette Day. |
| Charles Smith, Allen Buansi, Cecil Brockman, and Vernetta Alston | HB 722 | 04/02/2025 | Enact Criminal Justice Debt Reform. |
| Charles Smith, Abe Jones, Allen Buansi, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 646 | 04/01/2025 | Const. Amend.: Remove Slavery as Punishment. |
| Charles Smith, Diane Wheatley, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Mike Colvin | HB 679 | 04/01/2025 | Funds for Spring Lake Projects. |
| Charles Smith and Diane Wheatley | HB 594 | 03/31/2025 | Funds/Kings Grant Connectivity. |
| Charles Smith, Beth Helfrich, Terry M. Brown Jr., and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 635 | 03/31/2025 | Increase Access to Fertility Treatment. |
| Charles Smith, David Willis, Kyle Hall, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 543 | 03/26/2025 | Criminal Background Check For Athlete Agents. |
| Charles Smith, Diane Wheatley, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Mike Colvin | HB 486 | 03/24/2025 | Funds for Blue Star Families, Inc. |
| Charles Smith, Bryan Cohn, Laura Budd, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 499 | 03/24/2025 | NC Paid Family Leave Insurance Act. |
| Charles Smith, Donnie Loftis, Edward C. Goodwin, and Grant L. Campbell, MD | HB 422 | 03/17/2025 | Beyond The Choice Act. |
| Charles Smith, Abe Jones, Julie von Haefen, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 367 | 03/11/2025 | Provide Rape Kit Status Updates to Victims. |
| Charles Smith, Edward C. Goodwin, Kelly E. Hastings, and Nasif Majeed | HB 288 | 03/04/2025 | POW/MIA Flag/State Bldgs. & Schools. |
| Charles Smith, Allen Chesser, Dennis Riddell, and Edward C. Goodwin | HB 227 | 02/26/2025 | U.S. & N.C. Flags/Made In USA. |
| Charles Smith, Donnie Loftis, Edward C. Goodwin, and Nasif Majeed | HB 213 | 02/25/2025 | Post NC Veterans’ Benefits. |
| Charles Smith, Brian Biggs, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 217 | 02/25/2025 | Driver Educ./18 Yrs & Older & Unlicensed. |
| Charles Smith, Diane Wheatley, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Mike Colvin | HB 132 | 02/17/2025 | SchCalFlex/Cumberland/Open Cal. |
| Charles Smith, Edward C. Goodwin, Eric Ager, and Kyle Hall | HB 114 | 02/12/2025 | Employment Preference for Military Personnel. |
