Governor Roy Cooper signed two coronavirus relief bills into laws Monday.
The relief package includes nearly $1.6 billion in relief measures related to public health and safety, educational needs, small business assistance, and continuity of state government operations.
$1.4 billion has been allocated and $150 million is set aside for future local government needs.
“North Carolina is leading the nation’s recovery through bipartisan consensus for swift action to assist every community in our state affected by this pandemic. I appreciate the successful collaboration among our legislative colleagues and the Governor to provide this powerful support for North Carolinians.” said Speaker of the House Tim Moore.
The spending package includes:
- $50 million to provide personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies
- $25 million to support enhanced COVID-19 testing and tracing
- $125 million in small business loans administered through the Golden LEAF Foundation
- $50 million in health support for underserved communities including rural areas and minority communities
- $95 million to support North Carolina hospitals
- $20 million to support local health departments and the State Health Lab
- $75 million for school nutrition programs
- $70 million for summer learning programs
- $30 million for local schools to purchase computers and other devices for students
- $6 million for food banks
- $9 million for rural broadband
- $85 million for vaccine development, antibody testing, community testing, and other COVID-19-related research at Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, Campbell University, and Wake Forest University.
The Senate Bill 704 includes an extension of driver's license and registration deadlines and waived interest on tax payments. The bill also modifies end-of-grade testing requirements for public schools and adjusts the 2020 K-12 public school calendar.
Once a coronavirus vaccine develops, pharmacists will now be able to administer them in the Senate Bill 704.
