DNCR AGENCY BILL.-AB

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View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
Senate Bill 477 (Public) Filed Tuesday, March 25, 2025
AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES TO THE STATUTES GOVERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
Intro. by Johnson.
Status: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action) (May 6 2025)

Bill History:

S 477

Bill Summaries:

  • Bill S 477 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: May 1 2025 - View Summary

    Senate amendment to the 2nd edition makes the following changes.

    Amends GS 126-5 by correcting the name of the North Carolina Symphony Society, Incorporated. 

    Environment, Environment/Natural Resources, Government, Cultural Resources and Museums, State Agencies, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (formerly Dept. of Cultural Resources)
    GS 121, GS 126, GS 143B, GS 150B
  • Bill S 477 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Apr 29 2025 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

    Amends Section 3 by adding that the authority for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to enter into the specified leases is also pursuant to GS 146-25(b).  

    Instead of specifying the NCGA’s intent to enact the six specified deletions from the State Nature and Historic Preserve, amends GS 143-260.10 as follows. Changes effective date of the list of all lands and waters within the boundaries of the listed units of the State Parks System from as of May 2, 2023, to May 6, 2025; adds Northern Peaks State Trail and removes Fonta Flora State Trail. Changes the date by which listed lands and waters are to be within the boundaries of William B. Umstead State Park, Morrow Mountain State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park, New River State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, Jockey's Ridge State Park, Mount Jefferson State  Natural Area, Eno River State Park, Hemlock Bluffs State Natural Area, Lake James State Park, Lake Waccamaw State Park, Chimney Rock State Park, Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Gorges State Park, Lower Haw State Natural Area, Lumber River State Park, Mitchells Millpond State Natural Area, Carvers Creek State Park, Mayo River State Park, National Landmark Historic District of Bethania, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, and South Mountains State Park, from May 2, 2023, to May 6, 2025. Adds a parcel of land that is excluded from the New River State Park. No longer excludes a specified tract from the boundaries of Chimney Rock State Park but adds in two other described parcels that are excluded. Adds a tract that it excluded from the Mayo River State Park. Adds to the components of the State Nature and Historic Preserve all State-owned land and waters within the boundaries of the Fonta Flora State Trail as of May 6, 2025, with the exception of the described area. Provides that the grant of the easement within the Fonta Flora State Trail constitutes authorization by the NCGA that the land 0may be used for a purpose other than the public purposes under law. Allows the State to use the proceeds from the easement only for the expansion or improvement of the Fonta Flora State Trail or another State Park. Prohibits the State from otherwise selling or exchanging this land.

    Environment, Environment/Natural Resources, Government, Cultural Resources and Museums, State Agencies, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (formerly Dept. of Cultural Resources)
    GS 121, GS 126, GS 143B, GS 150B
  • Bill S 477 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Mar 25 2025 - View Summary

    Creates new GS 143B-135.275 (Confidentiality of rare species and sensitive natural habitat information), making the location of rare species or sensitive natural habitats available to release to the public under GS Chapter 132 unless the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) determines the disclosures would create a risk of harm, theft, or destruction.

    Amends GS 150B-1(d) to create new subparagraph (27a) that exempts DNCR from the rulemaking process when developing standards and rules of conduct for visitors to DNCR sites.

    Grants the authorization required by GS 146-29(b) for DNCR to enter into leases over 30 years but not more than 50 years for federal lands operated by DNCR as the Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake State Recreation Areas.

    Amends GS 121-6 (Historical publications) in subsection (b) to clarify that funds for editorial assistance, printing, binding, and distribution may be paid from the Contingency and Emergency Fund, instead of the current requirement that funds shall be paid from that fund. Amends subsection (c) to remove the 700-page limit on documentary volumes for DNCR’s publication of significant records of colonial North Carolina and capitalizes General Fund.

    Revises GS 126-5(c11)(2)d. to include employees assigned to assist the North Carolina Symphony in the list of exempt employees.

    Amends GS 143B-94 (North Carolina Symphony Society, Inc.) to clarify that the North Carolina Symphony Society, Inc., is not a state agency within the meaning of GS Chapter 143B and is exempt from the requirements of that Chapter other than those in GS 143B-94 itself.

    Creates new GS 143B-53.15 prohibiting admission fees on school groups visiting sites owned or managed by DNCR. Repeals Section 14.11(g) of SL 2015-241, which currently prohibits imposing fees on school groups.

    Removes obsolete reporting requirements by repealing GS 121-12.1, which required DNCR to prepare reports on grants-in-aid, and the biennial progress report requirement in GS 143-406.

    Deletes the following from the State Nature and Historic Preserve under GS 143-260.10: (1) a portion of Mayo River State Park, (2) a portion of Chimney Rock State Park, (3) an easement at Raven Rock State Park, (4) a portion of the Fonta Flora State Trail, (5) a portion of Wilderness Gateway State Trail, and (6) a portion of New River State Park.

    Environment, Environment/Natural Resources, Government, Cultural Resources and Museums, State Agencies, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (formerly Dept. of Cultural Resources)
    GS 121, GS 126, GS 143B, GS 150B
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