A new bill filed by State Rep. Jarrod Lowery in the North Carolina House seeks to create AI and technology hubs to promote economic growth and innovation across the state, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 1004 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘UNC AI & Technology Hubs.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill proposes the establishment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology hubs at select constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina. By December 1, 2026, up to eight institutions will be designated as AI hubs, ensuring representation from public historically Black colleges and universities or the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. The initiative aims to stimulate economic growth and uphold citizens’ rights. For the 2025-26 fiscal year, $16 million in nonrecurring and $8 million in recurring funds will be allocated for AI hubs, with institutions required to match 10% of non-state funds. Additionally, $70 million will be distributed to establish technology hubs supporting innovation, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and manufacturing. The bill also allocates $30 million for a grant fund via the North Carolina Collaboratory to support AI research projects. The act becomes 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.
Lowery graduated from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2012 with a BS.
Lowery, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 47th House district, replacing previous state representative Charles Graham.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jarrod Lowery, Robert T. Reives, II, and Zack Hawkins | HB 1004 | 04/10/2025 | UNC AI & Technology Hubs. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Blair Eddins, Chris Humphrey, and Cody Huneycutt | HB 925 | 04/10/2025 | Consumers in Crisis Protection Act. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Kanika Brown, and Pricey Harrison | HB 965 | 04/10/2025 | Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment. |
| Jarrod Lowery and Allen Chesser | HB 833 | 04/08/2025 | The FRESH Act. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Edward C. Goodwin, Maria Cervania, and Ya Liu | HB 835 | 04/08/2025 | Learning AAPI Contributions in Schools. |
| Jarrod Lowery and Ben T. Moss, Jr. | HB 812 | 04/07/2025 | UNC-Pembroke Presidential Library Funds/DJT. |
| Jarrod Lowery | HB 655 | 04/01/2025 | Ending Offensive Indian Mascots. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Cody Huneycutt, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Jonathan L. Almond | HB 658 | 04/01/2025 | Optometrists Telehealth Services. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Brian Echevarria, Donnie Loftis, and Jonathan L. Almond | HB 659 | 04/01/2025 | Local Government Spending Transparency. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Dennis Riddell, Mark Brody, and Steve Tyson | HB 605 | 03/31/2025 | Definitions for Advanced Recycling. |
| Jarrod Lowery | HB 508 | 03/25/2025 | Lower Cap on Credit Card Interest. |
| Jarrod Lowery, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Carson Smith, and Charles W. Miller | HB 505 | 03/24/2025 | Kayla’s Act: Protecting Dom. Violence Victims. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Erin Paré, Matthew Winslow, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 465 | 03/19/2025 | Waive Renewal Fee/Military Drivers Licenses. |
| Jarrod Lowery | HB 383 | 03/12/2025 | Augment Subcontractor Protections. |
| Jarrod Lowery and Charles W. Miller | HB 331 | 03/06/2025 | Adopt Official State Rice Festival. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Allen Chesser, Bill Ward, and Brenden H. Jones | HB 224 | 02/26/2025 | Strengthen Our Tribal Communities Act. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Brian Biggs, and Charles Smith | HB 217 | 02/25/2025 | Driver Educ./18 Yrs & Older & Unlicensed. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Brenden H. Jones, Jake Johnson, and Matthew Winslow | HB 222 | 02/25/2025 | C.O.O.P.E.R. Accountability Act. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Cody Huneycutt, Heather H. Rhyne, and Hugh Blackwell | HB 163 | 02/21/2025 | Pharmacy Benefits Manager Provisions. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Blair Eddins, Brenden H. Jones, and Neal Jackson | HB 171 | 02/21/2025 | Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Chris Humphrey, Jeffrey C. McNeely, and Kyle Hall | HB 135 | 02/17/2025 | Misbranding/Cell-Cultured Meat/WNC Donations. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Allen Buansi, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Heather H. Rhyne | HB 145 | 02/17/2025 | Funds for Diabetes Research Institute/UNC-CH. |
| Jarrod Lowery and Grant L. Campbell, MD | HB 146 | 02/17/2025 | Remote License Renewal/Active Duty Military. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Allen Chesser, and Brian Biggs | HB 112 | 02/12/2025 | Increase Permissible Interstate Speed Limit. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Bill Ward, Mike Clampitt, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 103 | 02/11/2025 | NC Am. Indian Hunting/Fishing Rights. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Diane Wheatley, Harry Warren, and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 79 | 02/10/2025 | North Carolina Work and Save. |
| Jarrod Lowery, Allen Buansi, Allen Chesser, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 93 | 02/10/2025 | Constitutional Amendment/Repeal Literacy Test. |
