Rep. Brown files bill in North Carolina House to match parental savings contributions

A new bill filed by State Rep. Terry M. Brown Jr. seeks to create a program that matches eligible contributions to the Parental Savings Trust Fund to support families saving for education, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 787 on April 3 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Revise NC 529 Program.’

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 matching program for contributions to the Parental Savings Trust Fund in North Carolina, offering a $100 match for every $50 contributed by eligible persons, with a maximum match of $500 per year and a $1,500 cap per qualifying student. Eligible contributors must be residents with a household income within 250% of federal poverty guidelines, and the student must be a resident aged 14 or younger. The program is funded with $180,000 from the General Fund, effective July 1, 2025. Additionally, starting January 1, 2026, the bill introduces a tax deduction for contributions up to $2,000 to this fund, with a $4,000 limit for joint filers, contingent on the funds being used for qualified higher education expenses unless exemptions apply.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Brown proposed the most bills (29) 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.

Brown graduated from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte with a BA and again in 2015 from Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, Campbell University with a JD.

Brown, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 92nd House district, replacing previous state representative Chaz Beasley.