Adds Article 38D to Chapter 115C concerning Public School Disaster Preparedness.

Enacts GS 115C-546.50 creating the Public School Disaster Preparedness Fund (Fund) as a non-reverting special revenue fund consisting of NCGA appropriations. Requires Fund to be administered by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for the purpose of funding schools in high risk areas experiencing natural disasters to improve or replace existing school structures to mitigate future damage.

Enacts GS 115C-546.51 requiring the State Board of Education (Board) to adopt rules to determine disbursement of the Fund and provides minimum standards the rules should include. Requires DPI to develop and publish an application for local school administrative units to use in applying to receive Fund distributions that includes a copy of the unit’s disaster preparedness plan and cost estimate of the plan, at a minimum. Details application processing requirements for DPI and the Board.

Enacts GS 115C-546.52 detailing reporting requirements for local school administrative units that receive disbursements from the Fund to DPI and reporting requirements for DPI to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.

Appropriates $25 million for 2025-26 from the General Fund to DPI, to be used to establish and administer the Fund.

Effective July 1, 2025.