On June 3, 2026, the North Carolina General Assembly overrode Gov. Josh Stein's (D) veto of HB 87, titled the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), opting the state into the federal education tax credit scholarship program.
Stein vetoed HB 87 on Aug. 6, 2025. In his 2025 veto message, Stein said, "Once the federal government issues sound guidance, I intend to opt North Carolina in so we can invest in the public school students in need of after school programs, tutoring, and other resources. Therefore, HB 87 is unnecessary, and I veto it."
The regulations to implement the program were pending as of June 5. In a statement about the veto override on June 3, Stein said that although the U.S. Treasury (Treasury) hadn't yet issued guidance, he saw potential for the program to benefit public school students.