House committee substitute to the 2nd edition makes the following changes. Changes the act’s titles.

Organizes the act into Parts.

Part II.

Deletes the provisions of Section 2, which proposed to allow Rowan County to apply development regulations to the area of the Kannapolis’ relinquished extraterritorial jurisdiction located in the County, notwithstanding state law in GS Chapter 160D. Instead amends GS 160D-202(h) to provide that city development regulations and enforcement powers remain effective following relinquishment of jurisdiction to a county until the sooner of the county adopting such development regulation or 90 days from the relinquishment action. Exempts from the down zoning requirements of GS 160D-601(d) Rowan County’s adoption of development regulations establishing jurisdiction over an area after relinquishment of jurisdiction by the City of Kannapolis pursuant to GS 160D-202, as amended. Expires October 1, 2026.

Adds the following new content.

Part III.

Amends the Charter of the City of Albermarle, SL 1979-259, as amended, as follows. Changes the method of election for the mayor and council members set forth in Section 3.1 from nonpartisan plurality to partisan. Provides for elections in even-numbered years, with primaries and elections held and conducted in accordance with state law. Adds a new subsection allowing for petitions seeking nomination for office, subject to the requirements of GS Chapter 163, except that the date and time of filing must be pursuant to GS 163-122(a)(3). Effective at the time of the organization meeting held pursuant to GS 160A-68 in December 2028.

Amends Section 2.2 concerning the election of council members. Establishes residency requirements for the four district seats. Provides for staggered, four-year terms for all council members. Establishes general vacancy procedures by appointment of remaining members, with distinguished procedures for partisan nominees and district versus at-large seats.

Increases the term of the mayor from two to four years in Section 2.3. Enacts new procedures for filling a vacancy in the office of the mayor by council appointment. Sets forth distinguished procedures for partisan nominees and restricts voting to corporate limits.

Repeals Section 3.2, providing for the election of mayor and council members.

Provides a savings clause for the filling of vacancies occurring for a seat elected prior to the date the act becomes law. Effective at the time of the organization meeting held pursuant to GS 160A-68 in December 2028.

Instructs that the 2028 elections are to be conducted as if the provisions of the act are already in effect.

Part IV.

Section 4.1

Amends the Charter of the Town of Aberdeen, SL 1975-147, as amended, as follows. Changes the method of election for the mayor and commissioners set forth in Section 4.1 from nonpartisan plurality to partisan. Provides for elections in even-numbered years, with primaries and elections held and conducted in accordance with specified state law. Deletes obsolete language. Adds a new Section 4.3 allowing for petitions seeking nomination for office, subject to the requirements of GS Chapter 163, except that the date and time of filing must be pursuant to GS 163-122(a)(3). Renumbers Section 3.4 as 3.3 and eliminates the provision directing that vacancies in the office of mayor or commissioner by made by majority vote of the board of commissioners.

Prohibits conducting elections in Aberdeen in 2027. Extends the terms of commissioners whose terms expire in 2027 by one year, and extends the terms of the mayor and commissioners whose terms expire in 2029 by one year. Resumes regular elections in 2028.

Section 4.2

Amends Section 4 of the Charter of the Town of Cameron, SL 1876-14, to change the method of election for the mayor and commissioners from nonpartisan plurality to partisan. Provides for elections in even-numbered years, with primaries and elections held and conducted in accordance with state law. Adds a new subsection allowing for petitions seeking nomination for office, subject to the requirements of GS Chapter 163, except that the date and time of filing must be pursuant to GS 163-122(a)(3).

Prohibits conducting elections in Cameron in 2027. Extends the terms of commissioners whose terms expire in 2027 by one year, and extends the terms of the mayor and commissioners whose terms expire in 2029 by one year. Resumes regular elections in 2028.

Section 4.3

Amends the Charter of the Town of Carthage, SL 1999-239, as follows. Provides that municipal elections will be held at the time of the general election in each even-numbered year (was, odd-numbered year). Provides that elections will be conducted on a partisan basis (was, nonpartisan plurality) and in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers and GS Chapter 163 except as otherwise provided. Removes provisions setting four-year terms for mayors and council members. Requires candidates for municipal office seeking nomination by petition comply with Article 11 of GS Chater 163 except that date and time petitions be filed with the county board of elections in accordance with GS 163-122(a)(3).

Removes provision specifying that vacancies in any elected office shall be filled by majority vote of the council.

Provides that no municipal elections shall be conducted in Carthage in 2027 and extends the terms of office for the mayor and council members serving on the effective date of this section with terms expiring in 2027 by one year. Extends the terms of three council members serving on the effective date with terms expiring in 2029 by one year. Provides that regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections occurred in odd-numbered years.

Section 4.4

Amends the Charter of the Town of Pinebluff, SL 1979-243, as amended, as follows. Provides that municipal elections will be held at the time of the general election in each even-numbered year (was, odd-numbered year). Provides that elections will be conducted on a partisan basis (was, nonpartisan plurality) and in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers and GS Chapter 163 except as otherwise provided. Requires candidates for municipal office seeking nomination by petition comply with Article 11 of GS Chapter 163 except that date and time petitions be filed with the county board of elections in accordance with GS 163-122(a)(3). Clarifies that the mayor will serve a four-year term and commissioners will serve staggered four-year terms.

Provides that no municipal elections will be conducted in Pinebluff in 2027 and extends the terms of office for the mayor and commissioners serving on the effective date of this section with terms expiring in 2027 by one year. Extends the terms of three commissioners serving on the effective date with terms expiring in 2029 by one year.  Clarifies that regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections occurred in odd-numbered years.

Section 4.5

Amends the Charter of the Town of Robbins, SL 1935-63 as amended, as follows. Provides that elections for the mayor and five commissioners will be held on a partisan basis in each even-numbered year and that the mayor and commissioners will serve staggered four-year terms. Provides that elections shall be held in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers and GS Chapter 163 except as otherwise provided. Requires candidates for municipal office seeking nomination by petition comply with Article 11 of GS Chapter 163 except that date and time petitions be filed with the county board of elections in accordance with GS 163-122(a)(3).

Provides that no municipal elections will be conducted in Robbins in 2027 and extends the terms of office for the mayor and commissioners serving on the effective date of this section with terms expiring in 2027 by one year. Extends the terms of three commissioners serving on the effective date with terms expiring in 2029 by one year. Clarifies that regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections occurred in odd-numbered years.

Section 4.6

Amends the Charter of the Town of Southern Pines, SL 1981-352, as amended, as follows. Provides that municipal elections will be held at the time of the general election in each even-numbered year (was, odd-numbered year). Provides that the mayor and town council will be elected on a partisan basis (was, nonpartisan plurality). Provides that elections shall be held in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers and GS Chapter 163 except as otherwise provided. Requires candidates for municipal office seeking nomination by petition comply with Article 11 of GS Chapter 163 except that date and time petitions be filed with the county board of elections in accordance with GS 163-122(a)(3).

Clarifies that the mayor will serve a four-year term and town council members will serve staggered four-year terms.

Provides that no municipal elections will be conducted in Southern Pines in 2027 and extends the terms of office for the mayor and town council members serving on the effective date of this section with terms expiring in 2027 by one year. Extends the terms of two town council members serving on the effective date with terms expiring in 2029 by one year. Clarifies that regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections occurred in odd-numbered years.

Section 4.7

Amends the Charter of the Town of Taylortown, SL 1987-601, as follows. Provides that elections will be held in each even-numbered year on a partisan basis (was, nonpartisan plurality). Provides that elections shall be held in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers and GS Chapter 163 except as otherwise provided. Requires candidates for municipal office seeking nomination by petition comply with Article 11 of GS Chapter 163 except that date and time petitions be filed with the county board of elections in accordance with GS 163-122(a)(3).

Repeals Section 3.5 of Chapter III of the Charter of the Town of Taylortown (providing that council vacancies are to be filled by remaining members of the council for the remainder of the unexpired term).

Provides that no municipal elections will be held in Taylortown in 2027. Extends the terms of office for the members of the town council serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 by one year. Clarifies that regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028.

Section 4.8

Repeals Section 6 of the Charter of the Town of Vass, Pr. 1907-407 as amended by SL 1953-817, as amended (governing municipal elections).

Adds new Section 6.1 to the Charter of the Town of Vass to provide that regular municipal elections shall take place on a partisan basis in even-numbered years in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers and GS Chapter 163 except as otherwise provided. Requires candidates for municipal office seeking nomination by petition comply with Article 11 of GS Chapter 163 except that date and time petitions be filed with the county board of elections in accordance with GS 163-122(a)(3).

Amends Section 3 of the Charter of the Town of Vass to provide that the governing body shall consist of a mayor and five commissioners. Provides that the mayor will serve a two-year term and commissioners will serve staggered four-year terms. Removes outdated language.

Provides that no municipal elections will be conducted in Vass in 2027 and extends the terms of office for the mayor and commissioners serving on the effective date of this section with terms expiring in 2027 by one year. Extends the terms of two commissioners serving on the effective date with terms expiring in 2029 by one year. Clarifies that regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections occurred in odd-numbered years.

Section 4.9

Amends Article IV of the Charter of Foxfire Village, SL 1977-237, as follows. Provides that elections will be held in each even-numbered year on a partisan basis (was, nonpartisan plurality). Provides that elections shall be held in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers and GS Chapter 163 except as otherwise provided. Requires candidates for municipal office seeking nomination by petition comply with Article 11 of GS Chapter 163 except that date and time petitions be filed with the county board of elections in accordance with GS 163-122(a)(3).

Amends Article III of the Charter of Foxfire Village to provide that members of the village council will serve staggered four-year terms and removes provision related to filling vacancies on the council or in the office of the mayor.

Provides that no municipal elections will be conducted in Foxfire Village in 2027. Extends the terms of office for council members serving on the effective date of this section with terms expiring in 2027 by one year. Extends the terms of three council members serving on the effective date with terms expiring in 2029 by one year. Clarifies that regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections occurred in odd-numbered years.

Section 4.10 

Amends Section III of Pinehurst’s charter, as follows. Requires regular municipal elections to be held at the time of the general election in even-numbered years. Requires that council members and the Mayor be elected on a partisan basis. Requires primary and elections to be held and conducted according to general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Requires candidates seeking nomination by petition for municipal office to comply with the requirements of Article 11 of GS Chapter 163 (nomination by petition) except that the date and time for filing petitions with the county board of elections must be done according to GS 163-122(a)(3). Removes outdated language. 

Prohibits conducting elections in Pinehurst in 2027. Extends the terms of office for the (1) mayor and two council members serving as of the effective date whose terms are set to expire in 2027 by one year and (2) two council members serving as of the effective date whose terms are set to expire in 2029 by one year. Resumes elections in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd-numbered years.  

Section 4.11 

Amends Article III of the Whispering Pines charter, SL 2028-105, as follows. Changes the timing of regular municipal elections to odd-numbered years, to be held at the time of the general election. Requires the Village Council to now be elected on a partisan basis. Requires primary and elections to be held and conducted according to general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Requires candidates seeking nomination by petition for municipal office to comply with the requirements of Article 11 of GS Chapter 163 (nomination by petition) except that the date and time for filing petitions with the county board of elections must be done according to GS 163-122(a)(3). Removes outdated language. 

Prohibits conducting elections in Whispering Pines in 2027. Extends the terms of office for the (2) two council members serving as of the effective date whose terms are set to expire in 2027 by one year and (2) two council members serving as of the effective date whose terms are set to expire in 2029 by one year. Resumes elections in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd-numbered years.  

Part V. 

Section 5 

Amends SL 2015-244 as follows. Requires that members of the Moore County Board of Education to now be elected on a partisan basis at the time of the general election in each even-numbered year as terms expire. Requires candidates to be nominated at the same time and in the same manner as other county officers, with members taking office on the first Monday in December following elections. Requires elections to be conducted according to GS Chapters 115C and 163. Requires candidates be a qualified voter and resident of the residency district in which the person seeks to be elected. Requires vacancies to be filled according to GS 115C-37.1 (vacancies in offices of county boards of education elected on partisan basis in certain counties) instead of GS 115C-37 (election of county board of education members). Removes outdated language. 

Specifies that this section does not affect the term of office for any person elected in 2026 to the Moore County Board of Education. Requires vacancies for a member elected in 2026 to be filled by appointment by the remaining members. Requires when a vacancy occurs in a seat selected for a residency district that the successor be selected from the residency district of the vacating member. Requires members elected in 2026 or appointed to fill a vacancy for a member elected in 2026, to serve until a successor has been elected and qualified.  

Makes conforming changes to GS 115C-37.1. 

Effective the first Monday in December 2028. Requires the 2028 elections to be conducted as if the provisions of this section were already in effect.  

Part VI. 

Repeals SL 2010-64 which allowed the Moore County Board of Education to establish a campus law enforcement agency and employ campus police officers. Effective July 1, 2026. 

Part VII. 

Amends Section 2 of SL 1971-341 concerning the creation of a jail commission when two or more local governments have entered into an agreement so that it is also applicable to Chowan County. Amends Section 2.1 to require that the jail commission include one member from Chowan County. Amends Section 2 of SL 1919-371 so that GS 153A-219(c), providing that if a district confinement facility is established, or if one unit contracts to use the local confinement facility of another, the law-enforcement officers of the unit in which the prisoner was arrested must transport that prisoner to and from the facility for all purposes, applicable to Chowan County. Effective July 1, 2026.