A JOINT RESOLUTION supporting federal able legislation.
Whereas, the Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 was enacted on December 19, 2014, as a part of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, P.L. 113‑295 and codified as Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code (ABLE Act) to address the difficulties people with blindness or a qualifying disability may have in being able to afford the additional expenses incurred as a result of their blindness or disability; and
Whereas, the ABLE Act permits states to establish a new type of tax‑advantaged savings program to assist people with blindness or qualifying disability in saving for disability‑related expenses without jeopardizing their federal means‑tested benefits; and
Whereas, the State of North Carolina enacted enabling legislation on August 14, 2015, for the implement of a North Carolina ABLE program to be administered by the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer; and
Whereas, the following measures will serve to enhance and expand savings opportunities for individuals with disabilities and improve their overall quality of life; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly urges Congress to enact the following:
(1)	Permit Rollovers from section 529 college savings accounts to section 529A ABLE savings accounts to allow parents to utilize funds previously set aside for a child's higher education for necessary qualified disability expenses.
(2)	Allow ABLE beneficiaries to save additional amounts in their ABLE accounts when they work and earn income to encourage people with disabilities to enter the workforce without fear of exceeding the monthly resource limit for needed means‑tested benefits.
(3)	Increase the eligible requirement from age 26 to 46 so that individuals who become disabled later in life may also benefit from ABLE accounts.
SECTION 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to each member of North Carolina's congressional delegation.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.