State Sen. Lisa S. Barnes has introduced a new bill in the North Carolina Senate intended to expand workforce training options and increase access to digital credentials for community college students, the North Carolina State Senate reported.
The bill, identified as SB 991 and filed on April 30 for the 2025 regular session, is officially titled ‘Community College Workforce Readiness Act.’
We’ve summarized key elements of the bill text below, with clarifications for readability and understanding.
Under the proposal, the state’s workforce training program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities would be expanded to as many as 25 community colleges, up from 15, with $3.85 million in recurring annual funding starting in the 2026-27 fiscal year to support personnel, outreach, program resources and individual college grants. ApprenticeshipNC is tasked with preparing a report by March 15, 2027, outlining fast-track pathways into teaching—covering options such as high school-to-licensure tracks and the integration of community college and university coursework. Another provision designates $4.9 million in one-time funding for 2026-27 to implement a digital credential and mobile wallet system for community college students statewide. The act will take effect July 1, 2026.
Among the bill’s three sponsors, Michael V. Lee has introduced the greatest number of bills (54) during the 2025 regular session.
Laws in North Carolina must complete a multi-step path before becoming law. A legislator files a bill, which is then sent to committee for consideration. It is subject to three separate readings in both chambers. Amendments can require concurrence from both chambers. Once a final version passes both, it is sent to the governor, who has up to 10 days (or 30 if the legislature has adjourned) to sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.
For details on this and other measures, see this resource.
Barnes received an AA from Peace College and completed a BA at North Carolina State University in 1988.
Barnes, a Republican, was elected in 2021 to serve North Carolina’s 11th Senate district, succeeding former state senator Rick Horner.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa S. Barnes, Brad Overcash, and Michael V. Lee | SB 991 | 04/30/2026 | Community College Workforce Readiness Act. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Norman W. Sanderson, and Todd Johnson | SB 1000 | 04/30/2026 | Environmental Management Commission Staffing. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Benton G. Sawrey, and Dana Jones | SB 1004 | 04/30/2026 | Family Support for Those Who Serve Act. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Michael A. Lazzara, and W. Ted Alexander | SB 1007 | 04/30/2026 | Human Trafficking Omnibus. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Bob Brinson, and DeAndrea Salvador | SB 1019 | 04/30/2026 | Grid Utilization. |
| Lisa S. Barnes | SB 846 | 04/27/2026 | Deannex Certain Property/Red Oak. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Buck Newton, and Norman W. Sanderson | SB 478 | 03/25/2025 | Enhancing Ag. Opportunities in Rural NC. |
| Lisa S. Barnes and Buck Newton | SB 554 | 03/25/2025 | Farmers Protection Act. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Brent Jackson, and Norman W. Sanderson | SB 639 | 03/25/2025 | North Carolina Farm Act of 2025. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Gale Adcock, and Kevin Corbin | SB 737 | 03/25/2025 | Medicaid Rates/Ambulatory Surgical Centers. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Michael A. Lazzara, and Todd Johnson | SB 368 | 03/20/2025 | Office of State Fire Marshal Omnibus Bill.-AB |
| Lisa S. Barnes and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 374 | 03/20/2025 | Licensing Certain Fire Safety Equip. Work. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Amy S. Galey, and Brad Overcash | SB 375 | 03/20/2025 | Harrison’s Law. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Paul Newton, and Phil Berger | SB 261 | 03/10/2025 | Energy Security and Affordability Act. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Michael A. Lazzara, and Todd Johnson | SB 226 | 03/03/2025 | Align Benefits for Firefighters with Cancer. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Jim Burgin, and Michael V. Lee | SB 55 | 02/05/2025 | Student Use of Wireless Communication Devices. |
| Lisa S. Barnes, Benton G. Sawrey, and Buck Newton | SB 61 | 02/05/2025 | I-95 Toll Prohibition. |
| Lisa S. Barnes | SB 32 | 01/30/2025 | 11th Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
