State Rep. Heather H. Rhyne has submitted a proposal in the North Carolina House to widen eligibility for tuition waivers available to certain public safety workers’ families, as reported by the North Carolina State House.
The measure, filed on April 30 as HB 1203 for the 2025 regular session, carries the short title ‘Family Support for Those Who Serve Act.’
Below is our summary based on the actual bill text, with clarifications on its provisions for ease of understanding.
Essentially, the legislation expands North Carolina’s tuition waiver program to include children of law enforcement officers, correctional officers with at least 10 years of experience, and firefighters. The waivers cover community college tuition for qualifying children who are North Carolina residents, aged 17 and under 24. Eligibility remains for the length of time needed to finish the selected educational program. The bill also clarifies relevant terms, upholds standard admissions requirements, and first takes effect starting with the 2026-27 academic year.
Among the bill’s three sponsors, Allen Chesser has put forward the most bills (64) during the 2025 regular session.
Legislative proposals in North Carolina go through a multi-step process to reach law status. A measure is introduced by a lawmaker, then assigned for committee review. Before passage, it must be considered three times in both chambers. Should amendments be made, both chambers must approve the final wording. Once legislative agreement is secured, the bill heads to the governor, who can sign, veto, or allow the measure to become law without a signature within 10 days (or 30 days if the assembly is not in session).
Additional information about legislation and other actions can be found here.
Rhyne earned her degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998.
Rhyne, a Republican, was elected in 2024 to the North Carolina State House from the state’s 97th House district, taking over the seat previously held by Jason Saine.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 1203 | 04/30/2026 | Family Support for Those Who Serve Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Mike Schietzelt, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 1149 | 04/30/2026 | Keep NC Working Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Allen Chesser, and Phil Rubin | HB 1186 | 04/30/2026 | Equipping Law Enf. for Better Drug Detection. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 1200 | 04/30/2026 | Tax-Free Family Essentials Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Erin Paré, Mike Schietzelt, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 1110 | 04/29/2026 | Early Intervention School Attendance Pilot. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Celeste C. Cairns, and Charles W. Miller | HB 1075 | 04/28/2026 | Persistent D.V. Offender Registry. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Mike Schietzelt, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 1083 | 04/28/2026 | Voluntary Portable Benefits Plan Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 1086 | 04/28/2026 | Child Care Initiative Funds/Reform/Study. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, David Willis, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 981 | 04/10/2025 | Local Schools Open Enrollment Study. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Beth Helfrich, John A. Torbett, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 845 | 04/09/2025 | Reduce Drowning Risk/Public Docks. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Brian Biggs, David Willis, and Ray Pickett | HB 875 | 04/09/2025 | DPI to Redesign Math Instruction. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 877 | 04/09/2025 | Childcare Pilot. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Grant L. Campbell, MD, Sarah Crawford, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 820 | 04/08/2025 | Prescription Eye Drop Early Refill Coverage. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Brian Biggs, Hugh Blackwell, and Larry W. Potts | HB 803 | 04/07/2025 | 3-Year FDA Approval for New Childhood Vaxx. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Brian Biggs, and David Willis | HB 806 | 04/07/2025 | Public School Operational Relief. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Brian Biggs, David Willis, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 773 | 04/03/2025 | School Performance Grade Changes. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Blair Eddins, Jennifer Balkcom, and Sarah Stevens | HB 791 | 04/03/2025 | Women’s Safety and Protection Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 592 | 03/31/2025 | Toxic-Free Medical Devices Act of 2025. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Erin Paré, Mike Schietzelt, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 611 | 03/31/2025 | Increase APs in Public Schools. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Jeff Zenger, Jonathan L. Almond, and Neal Jackson | HB 618 | 03/31/2025 | Ivermectin Access Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Cody Huneycutt, and Kyle Hall | HB 574 | 03/27/2025 | Workforce Development Pilot Project. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Donny Lambeth, and Grant L. Campbell, MD | HB 536 | 03/26/2025 | Physical Therapy Practice Act Mods. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 542 | 03/26/2025 | Child Care Mental & Behavioral Services/Funds. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Donna McDowell White, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 546 | 03/26/2025 | Inmate Medicaid Suspension/Team-Based Care. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Brandon Lofton, and Kyle Hall | HB 517 | 03/25/2025 | Modify Nonprofit Corp. Act/Charitable Org. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dennis Riddell, Erin Paré, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 488 | 03/24/2025 | Modify School Performance Grades. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Donna McDowell White, Donny Lambeth, and Jimmy Dixon | HB 491 | 03/24/2025 | Medicaid Work Requirements. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, and Ray Pickett | HB 437 | 03/18/2025 | Establish Drug-Free Homeless Service Zones. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 412 | 03/17/2025 | Child Care Regulatory Reforms. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Brian Biggs, and David Willis | HB 415 | 03/17/2025 | Modify Math & Social Studies Grad. Req. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Jake Johnson, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 372 | 03/11/2025 | Home-Based Business Fairness Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Cody Huneycutt, and Kyle Hall | HB 351 | 03/10/2025 | Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program/Funds. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Cody Huneycutt | HB 330 | 03/06/2025 | Controlled Substances Act – Updates. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 309 | 03/05/2025 | Various Local Provisions VI. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Howard Penny, Jr., Jonathan L. Almond, and Paul Scott | HB 239 | 02/26/2025 | Change to EC Funding Formula. |
| Heather H. Rhyne and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 190 | 02/24/2025 | SchCal Mandatory Winter Break/Date Adjustment. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Cody Huneycutt, Hugh Blackwell, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 163 | 02/21/2025 | Pharmacy Benefits Manager Provisions. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Buansi, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 145 | 02/17/2025 | Funds for Diabetes Research Institute/UNC-CH. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Brenden H. Jones, and Jay Adams | HB 35 | 02/03/2025 | Establish Military Appreciation Month. |
| Heather H. Rhyne | HB 41 | 02/03/2025 | Lincoln/Catawba Common Boundary Line. |
