Bill > H1123

This bill authorizes the financing of specific capital improvement projects for various University of North Carolina (UNC) institutions, including renovations and new construction, using funds such as gifts, grants, and self-liquidating debt, but not general fund appropriations unless already permitted by law. It also allows for adjustments to project costs and funding methods by the Director of the Budget, with potential consultation from the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations. The bill revises the admission criteria for the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) to standardize residency determination and clarifies eligibility for tuition grants for graduates of NCSSM and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) attending UNC constituent institutions, requiring them to be North Carolina residents for tuition purposes and to apply for federal student aid. Additionally, it increases the monetary thresholds for various capital expenditure approvals and contracting requirements, such as those requiring architect or engineer involvement, bidding procedures, and the definition of a "capital improvement," generally raising them from $100,000 or $500,000 to $150,000 or $1,500,000 respectively, and clarifies that state funds appropriated for capital projects cannot be used for public-private partnerships without explicit legislative authorization.