Part I.

Titles the act as “The Stronger Enforcement and Accountability for Transportation Behavior and Emerging Life-saving Technology (SEATBELT) Act.”

Part II.

Enacts new GS 20-17.10, providing as follows. Defines Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) as an aftermarket system that uses location-based technology to automatically regulate vehicle acceleration or speed according to the speed limit.

Specifies that the statute applies to a person whose drivers license was revoked, or whose driving privilege was limited, under either GS 20-16.1 (Mandatory suspension of driver's license upon conviction of excessive speeding; limited driving permits for first offenders), or for a violation of: (1) GS 20-140 (reckless driving), (2) GS 20-141 (speed restrictions), (3) G. 20-141.1 (speed limits in school zones), (4) GS 20-141.3 (unlawful racing on streets or highways), (5) GS 20-141.4 (felony and misdemeanor death by vehicle; felony serious injury by vehicle; aggravated offenses; repeat felony death by vehicle), (6) GS 20-141.5 (speeding to elude arrest; seizure and sale of vehicles), (7) GS 20-141.6 (aggressive driving), or (8) GS 20-141.10 (street takeover).

Requires when the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) restores a license, or grants a limited driving privilege, to a person subject to the statute, that the person agrees to and indicates on their license that they may only operate a vehicle equipped with a functioning ISA system. This requirement remains in effect for one year from the date of restoration.

Requires proof of the installation of an ISA system in at least one of the person’s designated vehicles before issuing the person a license. Cancels a license upon the person operating a vehicle that has not been designated and equipped with a functioning ISA system, or upon removing the ignition interlock system for any designated motor vehicle. Sets out notification requirements when reporting a conviction of a person subject to the statue. Makes violations of this section an offense of driving while license revoked.

Sets out limitations on the data that is collected by the ISA system and prohibits disclosing the data unless it is required by law, or the disclosed data is depersonalized and aggregated for research or evaluation purposes.

Makes it a Class A misdemeanor to tamper with, circumvent, or attempt to circumvent an ISA system that is required to be installed by judicial order, statute, or as otherwise required as a condition to operate a motor vehicle, for the purpose of avoiding or altering the ISA system’s speed or acceleration controls in the operation of a vehicle.

Requires an annual report, beginning on January 1, 2028, by the DMV to the specified NCGA committee chairs, and on the DMV’s website, on the effectiveness of ISA system usage.

Adds the ISA system to GS 20-179.5 (affordability) that applies to the ignition interlock system.

Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2027.

Requires the DMV, to contract with at least two qualified vendors to implement this Part.

Requires DMV to adopt rules to implement this Part.

Part III.

Amends GS 20-16. so that the procedures under the statute for reporting results of a chemical analysis or refusal to submit to the analysis is triggered when a person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 (was, 0.15) or more. Makes technical changes.

Amends GS 20-16.2 by amending the conditions under which a person may apply for a limited driving privilege after their license has been revoked to also require that all vehicles that the person will be authorized to drive have been equipped with an approved type of ignition interlock system. Makes technical changes.

Amends GS 20-16.5 by amending the conditions that must be met in order for a person whose drivers license has been revoked for 30 to 45 days to apply for a limited driving privilege to require that all vehicles that the person will be authorized to drive have been equipped with an approved type of ignition interlock system.

Amends GS 20-17.8 (restoration of a license after certain driving while impaired convictions; ignition interlock), so that it applies to a person whose license was revoked as a result of conviction of driving while impaired and the person had an alcohol concentration of 0.08 (was, 0.15) or more, or they refused to submit to a chemical analysis (was not previously included). Specifies that the statute applies to a person whose license was revoked due to a conviction of driving by a person under age 21 after consuming alcohol and removes the provision that make it applicable to a person whose license was revoked due to a conviction under GS 20-141.4 (except convictions under (a2)). Makes technical changes.

Amends GS 20-138.3 by adding to the conditions to be met before a person who is convicted under the State and had their license revoked can apply for a limited driving privilege to require all vehicles that the person will be authorized to drive have been equipped with an approved type of ignition interlock system.

Amends GS 20-179.3 by amending the conditions to be met before a person convicted of impaired driving can be eligible for a limited driving privilege to require all vehicles that the person will be authorized to drive have been equipped with an approved type of ignition interlock system.

Amends GS 20-179.3 by amending the circumstances under which a judge must include the specified items in a limited driving privilege order for a person whose license was revoked for a conviction under GS 20-138.1 to require that the person have had an alcohol concentration of 0.08 (was, 0.15) or more or have refused to submit to a chemical analysis.

Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2027.

Part IV.

Amends GS 8-50.4, which applies to the use of results of an electronic speed measuring system so that the statute now applies to speed and traffic safety monitoring systems instead of speed measuring systems. Makes conforming changes to GS 17C-6.

Amends GS 153A-246.1 (counties) and GS 160A-300.4 (municipalities) to change the term electronic speed measuring system to electronic speed and traffic safety monitoring system, now defined as a mobile or fixed device consisting of an automated traffic camera and sensor capable of (1) measuring a vehicle’s speed, positioning, or both, and (2) producing one or more digital photos or videos of a vehicle violating a posted speed limit, GS 20-158 (vehicle control signs and signals), or GS 20-173 (pedestrians' right‑of‑way at crosswalks). Also allows a county/municipality to adopt ordinances for the civil enforcement of violations of GS 20-158 in a school zone, or GS 20-173 in a school zone by means of electronic speed and traffic safety monitoring systems. Makes conforming changes.

Effective October 1, 2026.

Part V.

Appropriates $9 million for 2026-26 (appear to intend 2026-27) from the General Fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts for recording district court proceedings. Effective July 1, 2026.

Part VI.

Provides that prosecutions for offenses committed before the act’s effective date are not abated or affected by this act and the statutes that would be applicable but for this act remain applicable to those prosecutions.