Sen. Lee files bill in North Carolina Senate to fund campus repairs at NCCU

A new bill filed by State Sen. Michael V. Lee in the North Carolina Senate seeks to address critical infrastructure and safety issues at North Carolina Central University, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 596 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Critical Campus Funding Repairs.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill allocates $169 million in nonrecurring funds to North Carolina Central University for essential campus repairs during the 2025-26 fiscal year. Of this, $100 million is designated for addressing critical HVAC, fire safety, and building code deficiencies by repairing, upgrading, and replacing failing systems across the campus. Nine million dollars will be used for roof replacements and building envelope repairs to mitigate water damage, mold growth, and structural deterioration. Additionally, $60 million is aimed at replacing and overhauling failing electrical, storm, domestic water, and steam distribution infrastructure to prevent energy loss and reduce costs. The act is effective July 1, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Lee proposed the most bills (34) 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.

Lee graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1991 with a BA and again in 1997 from Wake Forest University Law School with a JD.

Lee, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 7th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Jim Perry.