North Carolina Rep. Willis tuition discount bill for military, employer-sponsored students passes House and Senate

Passed bill sponsored by State Rep. David Willis aims to enable UNC system institutions to provide tuition discounts for qualifying military and employer-supported students following its approval in both chambers, according to the North Carolina State House.

In the House, 45 Democrats and 67 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while one Republican opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 17 Democrats and 28 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Willis filed the bill in the North Carolina House on March 11 during the 2025 regular session.

The legislation, known as HB 373, was passed on June 18 during the 2025 regular session.

According to the North Carolina General Assembly site, the bill’s official text was formally listed with the short title: “UNC Tuition Discounts for Certain Students.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill allows institutions within the University of North Carolina system to offer discounted tuition rates to two specific groups of students: those receiving military tuition assistance and those part of an employer-sponsored financial support program. For qualifying military students, the discount can be up to the difference between their military tuition assistance funds and the applicable tuition rate. Qualifying military students must be residents for tuition purposes and receive either federal or state military tuition assistance. For students in an employer-sponsored program, the discount is up to the difference between the employer’s provided financial support and the applicable tuition. The Board of Governors will annually report on the number of students receiving discounts and the financial impact on institutions. The act becomes effective upon becoming law, applying from the 2025-26 academic year.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Ray Pickett (Republican-93rd District), Rep. David Willis (Republican-68th District), and Rep. Allen Chesser (Republican-25th District), along with one other sponsor.

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.

Willis graduated from Appalachian State University in 1996.

Willis, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 68th House district, replacing previous state representative D. Craig Horn.

Under North Carolina law, bills must receive three readings in each chamber. According to the UNC School of Government, once a bill “passes its constitutionally required second reading and moves to its constitutionally required third reading,” additional debate can occur, but the final stage is often treated as a formality. Unless a legislator requests a roll-call, the third reading may be approved by voice vote or unanimous consent without a separate recorded tally.