A new bill filed by State Rep. Amber M. Baker in the North Carolina House seeks to enhance support for historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions through funding and program development, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 957 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘HBCU/HMSI Omnibus.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill appropriates funds and makes changes in law to support historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and historically minority-serving institutions in North Carolina. It establishes a Joint Legislative Study Committee on HBCU infrastructure to assess threats, vulnerabilities, and conditions of campus facilities, with a report due by Jan. 1, 2026. The bill creates Completion Assistance Programs offering up to $1,000 to eligible students at specific universities to aid with graduation. Infrastructure improvements receive funding, including significant allocations to Winston-Salem State and Elizabeth City State universities. It initiates a Nursing Fellows Pilot Program at Winston-Salem State University offering forgivable loans to nursing students. The Cheatham-White Scholarship program is expanded to include Winston-Salem State University. Funding allocations also support various projects at other universities, such as facility renovations, academic program support, and scholarships for both public and private institutions. The bill is effective July 1, 2025.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Zack Hawkins proposed the most bills (47) 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.
Baker graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a BS.
Baker, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 72nd House district, replacing previous state representative Derwin Montgomery.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber M. Baker, Bill Ward, and Zack Hawkins | HB 957 | 04/10/2025 | HBCU/HMSI Omnibus. |
| Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, Julie von Haefen, and Zack Hawkins | HB 910 | 04/10/2025 | DRIVE Recommendations/Teacher Diversity. |
| Amber M. Baker and Kanika Brown | HB 995 | 04/10/2025 | Shotgun House Funding Act. |
| Amber M. Baker, Brian Turner, Julia Greenfield, and Tim Longest | HB 798 | 04/07/2025 | Expand Access to Cold Weather Shelters/Funds. |
| Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, Julie von Haefen, and Lindsey Prather | HB 807 | 04/07/2025 | Strong Public Schools for a Strong NC. |
| Amber M. Baker, Allison A. Dahle, Cynthia Ball, and Phil Rubin | HB 691 | 04/02/2025 | Voter Protection and Reliance Act. |
| Amber M. Baker, Cecil Brockman, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 709 | 04/02/2025 | K-3 Literacy and Improvement Act. |
| Amber M. Baker, B. Ray Jeffers, James Roberson, and Zack Hawkins | HB 639 | 04/01/2025 | Prioritize In-State Applicants/UNC Ed Schools. |
| Amber M. Baker, Allen Buansi, Allison A. Dahle, and Phil Rubin | HB 580 | 03/31/2025 | SBOE Legislative Changes.-AB |
| Amber M. Baker, Cynthia Ball, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 588 | 03/31/2025 | School Psychologist Omnibus. |
| Amber M. Baker, Dante Pittman, Julie von Haefen, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 521 | 03/26/2025 | Healthy Families & Workplaces/Paid Sick Leave. |
| Amber M. Baker and Kanika Brown | HB 392 | 03/13/2025 | Funds/Forsyth United Way/Summer Learning. |
| Amber M. Baker and Kanika Brown | HB 393 | 03/13/2025 | Funds for One Love Festival. |
| Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, Monika Johnson-Hostler, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 325 | 03/06/2025 | Legislative Building Field Trip Pilot Program. |
| Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, Monika Johnson-Hostler, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 340 | 03/06/2025 | Universal AIG Screening in Middle Schools. |
| Amber M. Baker, Carolyn G. Logan, and James Roberson | HB 249 | 02/27/2025 | Diversity in Pickleball Pilot Program. |
| Amber M. Baker, Carolyn G. Logan, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 168 | 02/21/2025 | North Carolina CROWN Act. |
