Sen. Bradley files bill in North Carolina Senate to restore educators’ longevity payments

A new bill filed by State Sen. Woodson Bradley seeks to restore longevity payments for educators and support personnel in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 433 on March 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Restore Educator Longevity.’

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

In essence, this bill restores longevity payments for educators in North Carolina, which were repealed in 2014. For the 2025-26 fiscal year, teachers and instructional support personnel will receive annual longevity payments at rates based on years of state service: 1.5% of base salary for those with 10 to 14 years, 2.25% for 15 to 19 years, 3.25% for 20 to 24 years, and 4.5% for 25 or more years. These payments will be distributed in a lump sum annually. Longevity payments for principals and assistant principals will align with those for state employees under the North Carolina Human Resources Act. The bill appropriates $140.3 million from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction to fund these payments, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Lisa Grafstein proposed the most bills (45) 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.

Bradley graduated from Hollins University in 1995 with a BA.

Bradley, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2025 to represent the state’s 42nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Rachel Hunt.