Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

Amends GS 115D-3 (pertaining to the Community Colleges System Office [System]) to permit the President to expend General Fund appropriations (was, required to receive appropriation) made by the NCGA for the operation of the System, as specified, and allows expending the funds in the manner deemed to maintain and advance the System Office's programs and services.

Amends new GS 115D-6.1 (requiring the State Board to develop contract terms that boards of trustees of community colleges must use when electing a president or chief administrative officer) to clarify in one of the required contract terms that the President of the NC Community Colleges System (President) can only dismiss the president or chief of staff for any of the causes listed in the contract’s list of causes for dismissal and termination.

Amends new GS 115D-10 to remove actions taken under GS 115D-19.1 (removal of a president) as an action that is not subject to judicial review. Amends GS 115D-19.1 to specify that the term president there means a president or chief administrative officer elected pursuant to GS 115D-20 and to permit an appeal of the decision of the President to the State Board of Community Colleges (State Board). Requires the State Board to make a final decision regarding the dismissal. Makes organizational changes.

Amends GS 115D-2.2 (State Board membership) to increase the number of members elected by the General Assembly from four being elected by the Senate and four being elected by the House of Representatives, to nine being elected by the Senate and nine by the House of Representatives.

Amends GS 115D-12(a) (pertaining to community college board of trustees) to delete provisions specifying the number and selection procedures of members. Permits the president of the student government or the chair of the executive board of the student body of each community college to be an ex officio nonvoting member if the board of trustees of the community college agrees. Makes organizational changes.