Rep. Rhyne files workforce development pilot bill in North Carolina House

A new bill filed by State Rep. Heather H. Rhyne in the North Carolina House seeks to promote job creation and skill development through grants to eligible employers, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 574 on March 27 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Workforce Development Pilot Project.’

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

In essence, this bill establishes a workforce development pilot project, allocating funds through the Office of State Budget and Management to the North Carolina Workforce Development Coalition (NCWDC). The funds are aimed at providing grants to eligible employers to encourage employer-sponsored training focused on job creation, reducing turnover, improving wages, and upgrading employee skills. The bill defines eligible employers as North Carolina-based businesses with 20 to 1,500 employees that meet specific state registration and good-standing criteria. Training programs must be directly related to the trainee’s occupation and produce tangible benefits like job creation or wage improvement. Grants are capped at the lesser of 50% of eligible training costs or $2,000 per trainee, with a maximum of $40,000 annually per employer. Applications for grants are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and reimbursement is provided after training completion and verification of ongoing employment. NCWDC will report annually on the program’s achievements, and up to 5% of available funds may be used for program administration and marketing. The act becomes effective upon becoming law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Allen Chesser proposed the most bills (31) 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.

Rhyne graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998.

Rhyne, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2024 to represent the state’s 97th House district, replacing previous state representative Jason Saine.