A new bill filed by State Rep. Brian Biggs in the North Carolina House seeks to establish a grant program aimed at supporting competitive speech and debate teams in public high schools, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 671 on April 1 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Competitive Speech and Debate Grant Pilot.’
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 pilot program providing grants to public high schools in North Carolina to form and support competitive speech and debate teams from the 2025-26 school year through 2028-29. Eligible schools can apply annually to the Department of Public Instruction for up to $10,000 per team, which may include stipends for coaches and expenses related to league participation and travel. Participating teams are required to join both the Tarheel Forensic League and the National Speech and Debate Association. Students whose schools do not offer a team may join the geographically closest team. The program mandates reporting to evaluate grant distribution and its impact on student academic performance. Additionally, two new members are to be added to the Tarheel Forensic League’s board. The bill appropriates $500,000 annually from the General Fund for these initiatives, effective July 1, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Tricia Ann Cotham proposed the most bills (31) 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.
Biggs, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 70th House district, replacing previous state representative Patricia Hurley.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Biggs, David Willis, Terry M. Brown Jr., and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 671 | 04/01/2025 | Competitive Speech and Debate Grant Pilot. |
| Brian Biggs, David Willis, Jennifer Balkcom, and Neal Jackson | HB 636 | 04/01/2025 | Promoting Wholesome Content for Students. |
| Brian Biggs, Carson Smith, Dudley Greene, and Neal Jackson | HB 575 | 03/31/2025 | The Hunter Robinson Act. |
| Brian Biggs, Erin Paré, Timothy Reeder, MD, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 610 | 03/31/2025 | Study on Year-Round School. |
| Brian Biggs, Kyle Hall, Neal Jackson, and Sarah Stevens | HB 557 | 03/27/2025 | The Andy Griffith Show as State TV Show. |
| Brian Biggs, Donnie Loftis, Jennifer Balkcom, and Neal Jackson | HB 560 | 03/27/2025 | Parents Protection Act. |
| Brian Biggs, David Willis, Hugh Blackwell, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 566 | 03/27/2025 | Principal Fellows Changes. |
| Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, Neal Jackson, and Sarah Stevens | HB 535 | 03/26/2025 | Title Fraud Prevention Act. |
| Brian Biggs, Donnie Loftis, Jennifer Balkcom, and Larry W. Potts | HB 519 | 03/25/2025 | Parents’ Medical Bill of Rights. |
| Brian Biggs, Donnie Loftis, Edward C. Goodwin, and Steve Tyson | HB 498 | 03/24/2025 | Military to Teacher Ret. Incentive. |
| Brian Biggs, Brian Echevarria, Cody Huneycutt, and Keith Kidwell | HB 470 | 03/20/2025 | The Second Amendment Protection Act. |
| Brian Biggs, Laura Budd, and Ray Pickett | HB 475 | 03/20/2025 | State ID Cards for High School Students. |
| Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, Kyle Hall, and Sarah Stevens | HB 478 | 03/20/2025 | Modify Appointment Process for DA Vacancies. |
| Brian Biggs, Laura Budd, Sarah Stevens, and Ya Liu | HB 431 | 03/18/2025 | Preventing Deed Fraud. |
| Brian Biggs, Neal Jackson, Steve Tyson, and Wyatt Gable | HB 411 | 03/17/2025 | Reduce Early Voting Period for Primaries. |
| Brian Biggs, David Willis, Ray Pickett, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 414 | 03/17/2025 | 1-to-1 Credit for Career and College Promise. |
| Brian Biggs, David Willis, and Heather H. Rhyne | HB 415 | 03/17/2025 | Modify Math & Social Studies Grad. Req. |
| Brian Biggs, Bill Ward, Jennifer Balkcom, and Neal Jackson | HB 261 | 03/03/2025 | Sent. Enhancement/Immigration-Related Crimes. |
| Brian Biggs, Brenden H. Jones, Brian Echevarria, and Neal Jackson | HB 244 | 02/27/2025 | Depoliticize Government Property Act. |
| Brian Biggs, Charles Smith, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 217 | 02/25/2025 | Driver Educ./18 Yrs & Older & Unlicensed. |
| Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, John R. Bell, IV, and Neal Jackson | HB 186 | 02/24/2025 | The Stars and Stripes Commitment Act. |
| Brian Biggs | HB 161 | 02/21/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Randolph Co. |
| Brian Biggs, David Willis, Hugh Blackwell, and John A. Torbett | HB 144 | 02/17/2025 | Elect SBE/Superintendent as SBE Chair. |
| Brian Biggs, Allen Chesser, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 112 | 02/12/2025 | Increase Permissible Interstate Speed Limit. |
| Brian Biggs, Julia C. Howard, Kyle Hall, and Steve Tyson | HB 96 | 02/11/2025 | Expedited Removal of Unauthorized Persons. |
| Brian Biggs, Donnie Loftis, John A. Torbett, and Kelly E. Hastings | HB 86 | 02/10/2025 | Citizens’ Expungement Clarification of 2025. |
| Brian Biggs, Blair Eddins, Mike Schietzelt, and Neal Jackson | HB 87 | 02/10/2025 | Cell Phone-Free Education. |
| Brian Biggs, Donny Lambeth, Larry W. Potts, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 60 | 02/04/2025 | Modernize Medicaid Dental Rates. |
| Brian Biggs, Kyle Hall, Neal Jackson, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 31 | 02/03/2025 | Make Election Day A State Holiday. |
| Brian Biggs, Celeste C. Cairns, Erin Paré, and Keith Kidwell | HB 4 | 01/29/2025 | Sam’s Law. |
