Bill Summary for S 318 (2023-2024)

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Summary date: 

Mar 15 2023

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2023-2024 Session
Senate Bill 318 (Public) Filed Wednesday, March 15, 2023
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE USE OF PLANTS AND SEEDS NATIVE TO THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, WITH A STRONG PREFERENCE FOR PLANTS NATIVE TO NORTH CAROLINA, IN STATE PARKS AND ON STATE HIGHWAYS.
Intro. by Rabon.

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Bill summary

Includes whereas clauses.

Amends GS 143-341 to require the Department of Administration, in consultation with university system and community college horticulture programs and the North Carolina Forestry Association, to use seeds and plants classified as native to the State on all land owned or leased by the State or a State agency. Exempts (1) nonnative seeds and plants used in landscaping for locations where the primary purpose is crop cultivation, crop and horticulture research, science, botanical gardens, plantings for wildlife by the Wildlife Resources Commission, and zoos and (2) nonnative turf grass.

Amends GS 136-18 to require the Department of Transportation, in consultation with university system and community college horticulture programs and the North Carolina Forestry Association, to use seeds and plants classified as native to the State in highway rights-of-way. Makes an exception for nonnative grasses and seeds for soil and slope stabilization. Makes conforming deletions.

Amends GS 136-41.3 to require cities and towns to use (was, to strongly prefer) seeds and plants classified as native to North Carolina when the use of Powell Bill funds includes landscaping.

Amends GS 143B-135.56 to require the NC Parks and Recreation Authority to require projects awarded matching funds from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for local park and recreation purposes, to use seeds and plants classified as native to the State. Exempts (1) nonnative seeds and plants used in landscaping for locations where the primary purpose is crop cultivation, crop and horticulture research, science, botanical gardens, and zoos and (2) nonnative turf grass.