S382 - Disaster Relief-3/Budget/Various Law Changes. (SL 2024-57)

OLR Established – Provides $1.5 million in recurring funds to the Collaboratory to establish and operate the OLR, beginning in the 2024‑2025 fiscal year. The purpose of OLR is to identify and evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of programs, activities, initiatives, procedures, and any other factors related to elementary and secondary education in the State.

Funding and Duties of OLR – Funds provided to the Collaboratory for OLR must be used to at least do the following:

• Provide information and support needed by elementary and secondary public schools, university leaders, and elected officials to make evidence‑based decisions.
• Collaborate with constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and other stakeholders to implement innovative policies and programs to accelerate learning for all students.
• Work with external research resources and partners to evaluate local, State, and federal programs in order to establish metrics and assess return on investment.
• Support the operations of OLR.

Collaboratory May Relocate OLR – The Collaboratory can, in consultation with The University of North Carolina System Office and the Provost at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC‑CH), relocate OLR within UNC‑CH. If the Collaboratory relocates OLR, it must do the following:

• Continue to administer funds appropriated for OLR for the operations of OLR.
• Continue to determine, fund, manage, and oversee the research portfolio of OLR. The entity to which OLR is relocated must otherwise oversee the operations of OLR.
• Within 60 days of the relocation, report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee (JLEOC) on where OLR was relocated and any other information the Collaboratory deems relevant to the relocation.

Access to Information – All units of State and local government, including the State Board of Education, Department of Public Instruction, and public school units, must provide reasonable access to records, data, processes, personnel, and any other relevant information otherwise permitted under State and federal law.

Report – The Collaboratory must report by July 1, 2025, to the JLEOC on the progress made in establishing and operating OLR. For each fiscal year OLR is in operation, the Collaboratory must include in its annual report information on the activities of OLR from the prior fiscal year.

This bill was vetoed by the Governor on November 26, 2024, and that veto was overridden by the General Assembly on December 11, 2024. This section became effective December 11, 2024.