Enacts GS Chapter 93F, Interior Design. Sets forth the act's purpose and defined terms. Defines the practice of interior design to include: programming, planning, predesign, analysis, and conceptual design; interior nonstructural element alteration or interior nonstructural element construction and related interior technical submissions; preparation of a physical plan of space within a proposed or existing building or structure; reviewing analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting building codes, fire codes, accessibility standards or other state and federal laws, regulations, and standards applicable to interior technical submissions; and rendering of designs, plans, drawings, specifications, contract documents, or other interior technical submissions and the administration of interior construction and contracts relating to nonstructural elements in interior alteration or construction of a proposed or existing building or structure. Specifies exclusions, including making changes or additions to foundations and other primary structural framing members or seismic systems, or opening in roofs, exterior walls, or load-bearing and shear walls. 

Establishes requirements for registration as an interior designer, including being of good moral character, passing the exam administered by the Council of Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), proof of general liability insurance, and payment of the $100 application fee. Provides that registration or renewal is valid for two years. Requires registrants to apply for renewal no earlier than 10 weeks prior to registration expiration. Requires proof of completion of at least 30 hours of continuing education, as specified, payment of a $50 renewal fee, and proof of general liability insurance along with a sign renewal application. 

Provides for reciprocity with licensed, certified, or registered interior designers of other states meeting specified criteria, including payment of an additional $50 reciprocal registration fee and demonstration of familiarity with the State Building Code.

Identifies grounds for registration denial, suspension, or revocation, including conviction of or pleading guilty or no contest to a crime that indicates the person is unfit or incompetent to practice, or that the person has deceived or defrauded the public. Allows for reinstatement after any disciplinary action imposed. Allows any person to file a charge of unprofessional conduct or other misconduct in violation of the Chapter with the Department of Insurance (Department) to trigger a hearing unless the Department dismisses the charge as unfounded or trivial. Requires the Department to notify the registrant and the person who filed the complaint of the Department's decision and reasoning. Authorizes the Department to access a penalty of no more than $1,000 for a violation, with the clear proceeds remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund. Sets forth factors the Department must consider before imposing and assessing a penalty. Directs the Department to establish a schedule of civil penalties for violations of the Chapter and Department rules. Also authorizes the Department to charge costs of disciplinary hearings to the registrant.

Makes the following a Class 2 misdemeanor: (1) affixing a registrant's signature or seal to any interior technical submissions without permission; (2) using or attempting to use an expired, inactive, suspended, or revoked registration or seal; (3) using or attempting to use the registration of seal of another; (4) impersonating another registrant; (5) obtaining or attempting to obtain a registration by fraud; and (6) making any willfully false oath or affirmation in any matter or proceeding where oath or affirmation is required by the Chapter. 

Provides for injunction of illegal practices. 

Provides for authority of the registrant to sign and seal interior technical submissions for the purpose of obtaining requisite permits for an interior alteration or construction project, so long as the submissions are within the scope of the practice of interior design. Details requirements of the seal itself, created and granted by the Department, as well as its use. Restricts use to interior technical submissions for which the registrant is competent to perform. Prohibits affixing the seal to submissions that were not prepared by or under the registrant's supervision and control, except such interior technical submissions that were prepared by or under the supervision and control of another registrant, or a partner or officer of a registered business who is a registrant with professional knowledge of the content of the interior technical submissions with responsibility over their adequacy that are prepared by or under the supervision and control of a registrant who is in the regular employment of the business entity. 

Grants the Department the power and duty to issue registration certificates, adopt administrative rules, prescribe individually identifiable seals, and take disciplinary action as appropriate. 

Specifies that the Chapter does not require registration for activities traditionally performed by an interior designer or other design professional, including planning, design, and implementation of kitchen and bath spaces. Clarifies that the Chapter does not prevent or restrict other licensed practices, services, or activities. Clarifies that a registration under this Chapter does not authorize a registrant to practice architecture or engineering.

Amends GS 153A-357 and GS 160A-417 to provide for plans submitted for county or city permits prepared by registered interior designers. Also amends both statutes to prohibit both counties and cities from withholding issuance of a building permit or certificate of occupancy which is otherwise eligible to be issued in order to compel completion of work for a separate permit or compliance with land use regulations unless the county or city reasonably determines the existence of a public safety issue directly related to the issuance of the building permit or certificate of occupancy (previously, each statute only prohibited its respective entity).

Directs the Department to report to the specified NCGA committee on the progress of the Chapter's administration by February 1, 2020.

Effective October 1, 2019.

Amends GS 143-128.1A concerning public design-build contracts. Adds to the statute's defined terms design professional, first-tier subcontractor, licensed contractor, licensed subcontractor, and unlicensed subcontractor. Modifies the alternative options for the statement a design-builder must include in its response to a governmental entity's request for qualifications as follows. Requires either a list of the licensed contractors, licensed subcontractors, and design professionals (was, licensed design professionals) whom the design-builder proposes to use for the project's design and construction, or a list of the licensed contractors and design professionals whom the design-builder proposes to use for the project's design and construction and an outline of the strategy the design-builder plans to use for open subcontractor selection (was, open contractor and subcontractor selection) based on Article 8 (previously did not require a list in addition to the strategy outline option). In either case, now allows the design-builder to self-perform some or all of the work with employees of the design-builder. If using the first statement option, allows design-builders to enter into negotiated subcontracts to perform some or all of the work with licensed subcontractors without bidding and whether or not identified on the list, and allows the list to include one or more unlicensed subcontractors the design-builder proposes to use. If using the second statement option, allows the list to include one or more of the licensed or unlicensed subcontractors the design-builder proposes to use, and allows the design-builder to enter into a negotiated subcontract with those listed licensed or unlicensed subcontractors in lieu of bidding the scope of work that would otherwise be performed by the identified licensed or unlicensed subcontractors. 

Amends GS 143-128.1B concerning public design-build bridging contracts. Adds to the defined terms costs of the subcontractor work, general conditions, and licensed contractor. Prohibits requiring a design-builder to provide the costs of the subcontractor work, defined as the sum of all first-tier subcontract packages bid and proposed to be bid for all construction work under the statute, in the design criteria package, but permits requiring disclosure of the costs after the contract has been executed. Adds to the required contents of the design criteria package the list of general conditions, as defined, prepared by the governmental entity which the design-builder is to provide for a fixed fee, and the form of the contract to be entered into by the successful design-builder to whom the project is awarded. Allows the governmental entity to determine the form of the contract. Now requires the governmental entity's request for proposal to include a statement submitted in a separate sealed envelope, contemporaneously with the response to the RFP, the design builder's fixed fees, separately listed, for the general conditions identified in the request for proposal, the general construction services not otherwise provided for, and the design-builder's design services necessary to complete the project. Concerning the required statement of project team selection and member qualification, refers to design professionals rather than licensed design professionals. 

Amends GS 143-129 to exclude from the provisions of Article 8, Public Contracts, contracts by a public entity with a design-builder executed pursuant to GS 143-128.1A or GS 143-128.1B, or with a private developer executed pursuant to GS 143-128.1C.

Applies to contracts entered into, amended, or renewed on or after October 1, 2019.

Makes the following changes to Article 8A, Underground Utility Safety and Damage Prevention Act (Act), of GS Chapter 87.

Adds the term parcel to GS 87-117, and defines the term to mean an extended area of land with fixed boundaries.

Amends GS 87-121 to require the facility operator to provide to the excavator the operator's identity, marked by stakes or flags as previously required, in the area where the proposed excavation or demolition is to occur. Requires the operator's identity to be marked at the beginning point, at intervals of 200 linear feet, and at the end point of the proposed excavation or demolition. Also requires that if the diameter or width of a facility is greater than 4 inches that the dimensions be indicated at least every 50 (was, 25) feet. 

Amends GS 87-122 to modify the requirements of the notice excavators are required to give to the Notification Center of his or her intent to excavate or demolish. Requires the notice to include the location of the proposed excavation or demolition by either (1) a single parcel that can exceed 1/4 mile in linear length identified by a single address or (2) the lesser of five adjoining parcels identified by addresses, not to exceed 1/4 mile in linear length or an area not to exceed 1/4 mile in linear length. Makes changes to refer to an additional notice (rather than call) to the Notification Center in the event that an excavator is aware of or observes indications of an unmarked facility at the proposed excavation or demolition area. Now prohibits excavators from using mechanized equipment within 24 inches of a facility that is an oil, petroleum products, or highly volatile liquid pipeline system; a gas transmission line; or an electric facility transmission line (was a gas, oil, petroleum, or electric transmission line), unless consent and supervision are provided as specified. Makes conforming changes to the definition provided, referencing definitions found in federal law. 

Provides that the notice requirements of GS 87-122(a) and (b) do not apply to an excavation or demolition performed when those responsible for routine maintenance of a right-of-way or any other governmental entity are performing, with labor on their permanent payroll, maintenance activities within the right-of-way (previously did not include any governmental entity and did not require labor to be on the permanent payroll of the entity). Now excludes the installation of drainage structures from maintenance activities. Provides that the exemption does not extend to excavation or demolition performed by a contractor acting on behalf of a person or entity responsible for routine maintenance of a right-of-way or on behalf of any other governmental entity. Adds a new, distinct exemption for pavement milling and pavement resurfacing. 

Amends GS 87-125 concerning notice in the case of emergency excavation or demolition. Now requires written rather than oral notice to the Notification Center as previously specified. Deems any person who falsely claims that an emergency exists requiring an excavation or demolition to have violated the Act, in addition to the existing punishment as a Class 3 misdemeanor. Adds that any person who falsely claims an emergency exists requiring an excavation or demolition under GS 87-122 to have violated the Act.

Amends GS 87-129 to now require the member of the Underground Damage Prevention Review Board (Board) who is the representative from a rural water system to be recommended by the NC Rural Water Association. Now charges the Board with approving training courses and course sponsors for courses included in disciplinary action, and places costs of the training courses upon the person determined to have violated the Article.

Effective October 1, 2019. 

Enacts Article 26, Student Borrowers' Bill of Rights, to GS Chapter 53. Sets forth the Article's purpose and defined terms. Establishes the position of Student Loan Ombudsman (SLO) within the Office of the Commissioner of Banks (Commissioner). Delineates eight duties of the SLO, including receiving, reviewing, and attempting to resolve complaints from borrowers, assisting borrowers in understanding their rights and responsibilities under the terms of student loans, and monitoring the development and implementation of federal, State, and local laws concerning borrowers and recommended necessary changes. Directs the SLO, in consultation with the Commissioner, to prepare a student loan borrowing course by January 1, 2021, and include the components specified. Requires the course be available to high school students and students in higher education, and to any borrower who requests it. Requires periodic update of the course. Effective July 1, 2020.

Establishes a student loan servicer license. Specifies that a licensee can conduct business at one or more locations in the state under a single license. Identifies five exemptions from the Article, including banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations or their wholly owned subsidiary, any federal entity, a student loan servicer contracted by the US Department of Education, and any State entity. Details application requirements, which must be verified by oath or affirmation of the applicant or a designee, and includes a record of any criminal convictions for the applicant, controlling person, or any key management personnel for the prior 10-year period. Establishes a $1,000 license fee and an $800 investigation fee. Requires the Commissioner to investigate the applicant's financial condition and responsibility, financial and business experience, and character and general fitness. Allows for applications to be deemed abandoned after failure to respond to the Commissioner's information requests and upon 30 days' written notice. Details required findings of the Commissioner before a license can be issued, including finding that the applicant's business will be conducted honestly, fairly, equitably, carefully, efficiently, consistent with the Article's purpose and intent, and in a manner commanding the community's confidence and trust. Provides for the expiration of a license on September 30 of the odd-numbered year following issuance. Allows for renewal by application by September 1 of the year of expiration, and requires the applicant to meet the same requirements and fees as the initial application. Provides for a late fee of $100 for late renewal applications. Provides that the license is effective during the pendency of the renewal application. Sets requirements for the surrender of the license within 15 days of ceasing student loan servicing in the state, and requires notice to the Commissioner of the location of the licensee's records.

Establishes an annual assessment for each licensee of $2,000 if the total volume of loans serviced by the licensee in the previous calendar year was no more than $1.5 million. Provides a table for an additional amount to be paid in addition to the $2,000, based on the servicer's total volume of loans serviced over $1.5 million, at rates ranging from 7 cents per thousand to 1 cent per thousand. Authorizes the Commissioner to collect the assessment annually or in periodic installments. 

Details duties of a licensee to the Commissioner regarding updates to licensee information, reporting on student loan activities in the state, and providing records to the Commissioner upon request. Details duties of a licensee to the borrower, including disclosing the servicer's fee schedule at the time the licensee obtains the right to service the student loan, and responding to a borrower inquiry within 30 days of receipt. Establishes licensee requirements regarding record retention and consumer reporting. 

Details 11 acts prohibited by a licensee, including engaging in unfair and deceptive trade practices and communicating with a borrower in any manner designed to harass or intimidate the borrower. 

Authorizes the Commissioner to investigate and examine a student loan servicer subject to the Article to determine compliance with the Article, regardless of licensure. Defines powers of the Commission in investigation and examining student loan servicers under the Article, including the power to subpoena any relevant persons or evidence; the power to retain attorneys, accountants, or other professionals and specialists as investigators, examiners, or auditors to conduct or assist in conducting the investigation or examination; and accepting and relying on investigation and examination reports made by other government officials. Prohibits the Commissioner from preventing a servicer from accessing its own records in its ordinary course of business unless the Commissioner has reason to believe there is a risk that the records will be altered or destroyed to conceal a violation of the Article. Provides for the assessment of actual costs in instances of extraordinary review.

Deems all information obtained by the Commissioner subject to confidential treatment as provided in GS 53C-2-7 (Commissioner's official records). Provides for sharing agreements with state and federal agencies to the extent allowed by state law, with shared information retaining applicable privileges and confidentiality protections provided under state and federal law. Permits the Commissioner to release a list of licensees or aggregated financial data of licensees. 

Authorizes the Commissioner to limit, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license for violation of the Article or any rule adopted under the Article. Also authorizes the Commissioner to issue a cease and desist order to any student loan servicer in violation of the Article or any rule adopted under the Article. Further authorizes the Commissioner to seek an injunction in Wake County Superior Court. 

Authorizes the Commissioner to assess a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for a violation of the Article upon consideration of the specified factors, including the degree and extent of harm to the borrowers and efforts of the servicer to correct the violation. Requires the clear proceeds of penalties to be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund. Also allows the Commissioner to order the a student loan servicer to pay restitution to a borrower injured by a violation of the Article.

Establishes a civil action for borrowers injured by a violation of the Article by a student loan servicer. Deems a violation of the Article an unfair trade or deceptive practice under GS Chapter 75. Allows for a prevailing borrower to recover actual damages and costs, and any remedies available under GS Chapter 75.

Deems a student loan servicer subject to the Article to have consented to state jurisdiction and appointed the Secretary of State as the student loan servicer's agent for purposes of accepting service of process in an action arising under the Article. Deems the Commissioner to have complied with service of process laws upon mailing notice by certified mail to a student loan servicer subject to the Article, postage paid and addressed to the last known address on file with the Commissioner. 

Authorizes the State Banking Commission to adopt implementing rules. Sets out a process of appeal from a rule or order of the Commissioner and allows any aggrieved party to petition for judicial review under GS 53C-2-6.

Establishes an annual reporting requirement, beginning January 1, 2022, for the Commissioner to report to the Governor and specified NCGA committees and divisions regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the SLO and any steps necessary for the Commission to gain regulatory control over the licensing and oversight of student loan services. 

Provides that the above provisions regarding licensure (proposed GS 53-444 through GS 53-457) are effective October 1, 2021, and apply to acts or omissions committed by student loan servicers on or after that date.

Provides for funding of the salary and benefits of the SLO position created by GS 53-443, as enacted, by appropriating overrealized receipts available to the Banking Commission beginning with the 2020-21 fiscal year for that purpose.

Provides a severability clause.

Effective July 1, 2020.

Enacts GS 42-14.5 to establish that the criminal record of any prospective or current residential lessee, occupant, or guest does not make any future injury or damage arising from the lessee, occupant, or guest foreseable by the lessor or the lessor's agent. Establishes that the residential lessor or the lessor's agent is not obligated to screen for or refuse to rent because of the criminal record of a prospective or current lessee, occupant, or guest. Specifies that the statute does not prohibit a residential lessor or the lessor's agent from using a criminal background check as grounds for refusing to rent to any prospective or current lessee.

Amends GS 42-25.7 to provide that residential landlords have rights concerning the personal property of their residential tenants in accordance with GS 28A-25-2 (Effect of affidavit), as amended, in addition to other specified state law.

Amends GS 28A-25-1, Collection of property by affidavit when decedent dies intestate. Explicitly entitles the public administrator or an heir that has presented an affidavit pursuant to subsection (a) of the statute to remove or dispose of the decedent's personal property located in demised premises. 

Amends GS 28A-25-1.1, Collection of property by affidavit when decedent dies testate. Explicitly entitles the public administrator, a person named or designated by the executor in the will, or an heir that has presented an affidavit pursuant to subsection (a) of the statute to remove or dispose of the decedent's personal property located in the demised premises. 

Amends GS 28A-25-2, Effect of affidavit, to discharge or release a lessor or lessor's agent of the demised premises that removes or disposes of the personal property located in the demised premises, at the direction of an affiant authorized under GS 28A-25-1(d) and GS 28A-25-1.1(d), as enacted, to the same extent as if the lessor dealt with a duly qualified personal representative of the decedent. Adds that the lessor is not required to see to the application of the personal property or evidence of the personal property, or to inquire into the truth of any statement in the affidavit. 

Amends GS 42-46 regarding authorized fees, costs, and expenses. Now allows a landlord to charge a complaint-filing fee no more than the greater of $15 or 5% of the monthly rent if the tenant was in default of the lease, the landlord filed a summons and a complaint (was, filed and served a complaint) for summary ejectment and/or money owed, the tenant cured the default or claim, and the landlord dismissed the complaint prior to judgment. Authorizes a landlord to charge and recover from a tenant fees charged by the court for filing a complaint and a writ of possession and costs for service of the writ of possession. Current law allows the out-of-pocket expenses listed in the statute to be included by the landlord in the amount required to cure a default. Now provides that in the event of a judgment in favor of the landlord, out-of-pocket expenses not included in the judgment are chargeable to the tenant and can be collected by the landlord in any post-judgment attempt to settle or collect amounts owed, so long as the expenses and collection are allowable under the terms of the lease or agreement. Adds that nothing in the statute prohibits the landlord and tenant from reaching an agreement to resolve a dispute involving an alleged default under a lease or agreement on terms agreeable to the parties. Makes conforming changes to GS 42-51.

Enacts GS 42-36.1B to require a landlord who enters into an agreement to retain or regain possession of the demised premises, after obtaining a judgment for possession under the Chapter, to submit a motion and proposed order for relief from the judgment pursuant to GS 1A-1, Rule 60(d), to the clerk of superior court in which the judgment was entered no later than 60 days after satisfaction of the terms of the agreement. Establishes that the landlord cannot cause the issuance of an execution on the judgment once the agreement has been fulfilled. Provides for liability of the landlord for failure to file a motion and proposed order for relief, authorizing a penalty of up to $100, payment of the defendant's attorneys' fees and costs resulting from the landlord's failure to act, and the defendant's monetary damages, including unpaid rent or one month's rent under the lease or agreement, as specified.

Part I.

Amends GS 90-113.31A to amend the definition of independent study and to define traditional classroom-based study.

Part II.

Amends GS 90-113.32 to make the North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board (Board), instead of the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board, the authority to credential substance use disorder professionals in North Carolina. 

Repeals GS 90-113.32(c), which set out the membership of the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board. Instead, adds new (c2), which sets out the membership of the new nine-member Board. Refers to the Board chair instead of the President, who may vote only in the case of a tie or when another member abstains on the question of whether the professional discipline the members represent must retain its deemed status. Repeals (d), which allowed for the appointment of five professionals from the field of substance abuse counseling and substance abuse prevention consulting to serve on the Nominating and Elections Committee. Sets Board member terms at three years. Sets out provisions creating staggered terms, and provides for the filling of vacancies. Sets out provisions governing member reimbursements, election of Board officers, officer terms, and chair terms. 

Effective July 1, 2020.

Part III.

Amends GS 90-113.40 to raise the number of required hours of Board-approved education for certification as a certified substance-use disorder counselor (was, substance abuse counselor) or as a certified criminal justice addictions professional from 270 to 300 hours. Applies to applications for licenses submitted on or after October 1, 2019.

Part IV. 

Enacts new GS 90-113.48 (program for impaired substance use disorder professionals). Creates the North Carolina Impaired Professionals Program (Program). Authorizes the Board to provide funds for the Program, which will operate independent of the Board to provide screening, referral, monitoring, educational, and support services for professionals credentialed pursuant to GS Chapter 90, Article 5C (North Carolina Substance Abuse Professionals Certification Act), for treatment and rehabilitation of an impairment attributed to physical or mental illness, substance use disorder, or professional sexual misconduct. Authorizes the Program to enter into an agreement with credentialed substance use disorder professionals for the purpose of identifying, reviewing, and evaluating referred or self-referred substance abuse professionals to function in their professional capacity and coordinate regimens for treatment and rehabilitation. Provides requirements for such an agreement. Directs the Program to immediately report to the Board information about credentialed substance-abuse professionals who meet any of four listed criteria, including constituting an immediate danger to patient care. Provides that materials in the possession of the Program or its staff, employees, legal counsel, and volunteers, related to a member's participation or prospective participation in the Program are not public records. Authorizes persons participating in good faith in the Program to withhold that fact in a civil action or proceeding. Provides that activities in good faith under an agreement authorized by this statute are not grounds for civil action. Provides for written assessments by the Program, and to the extent permitted by law any written assessment created by a treatment provider or facility at the recommendation of the Program to be provided to certified substance abuse professionals and their legal counsel at the request of the professional, and provides that the information is inadmissible as evidence in any civil action or proceeding. Directs the Board to adopt rules to apply to the operation of the Program, with eight listed requirements for the rules.

Part V.

Amends Article 5C of Chapter 90 as follows. Changes the name of the Article to the North Carolina Substance Use Disorder Professional Practice Act. Makes changes throughout the Article to refer to substance use disorder instead of substance abuse. Changes the term "certified substance abuse counselor" to "certified alcohol and drug counselor," "substance abuse counselor intern" to "alcohol and drug counselor intern," and "substance abuse professional" to "substance use disorder professional."

Removes the provision allowing for the issuance of a Substance Abuse Residential Facility Director. Makes conforming deletions. 

Makes additional conforming and technical changes.

Part VI.

Discontinues the certified substance abuse residential facility director credential, and directs the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (Board) to no longer issue or renew that credential to any person, effective July 1, 2019.

Repeals GS 90-113.31A(8) (defining certified substance abuse residential facility director). Makes conforming changes to GS 113.31A(26), GS 113.31B(5), GS 90-113.38(a), GS 90-113.42(d), and GS 90-113.43(a). Effective upon the expiration of the last certified substance abuse residential facility director credential issued prior to the effective date of this act. Directs the Board to notify the Revisor of Statutes when that occurs.

Part VII.

Except as otherwise provided, effective October 1, 2019.

Enacts Part 5, Tuition Grants for Graduates of the NC School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM), to Article 23 of GS Chapter 116. Establishes that any resident graduate from the NCSSM in each school year beginning with the 2019-20 school year who enrolls as a full-time student in an eligible institution of higher education in the academic year following graduation is eligible for a tuition grant under Part 5, within the funds available. Extends eligibility to students who receive initial tuition grants as a cohort of a graduating class for subsequent tuition grants for up to four total academic years. Requires the student to submit a letter of intent that the student will remain a state resident for at least four years following graduation from the constituent institution for which the student received the grant. Requires continuous enrollment in an eligible institution of higher education, unless the State Education Assistance Authority (Authority) waives the requirement upon the student demonstrating a substantial disruption or interruption in the pursuit of a degree due to military service obligation, serious medical debilitation, short-term or long-term disability, or other extraordinary hardship. Provides for grant administration by the Authority pursuant to guidelines and procedures consistent with its practices for administering State-funded financial aid. Details the required guidelines and procedures. Requires the Authority to receive proper certification from the appropriate constituent institution prior to approving grants. Provides for remittance to the constituent institution of higher education, and refund by the institution as specified. Details parameters for the amount of grants awarded, requiring the grant to cover tuition costs. Also provides for the reduction of grants if an eligible student receives a scholarship or grant covering the cost of attendance at the eligible institution of higher education for which the grant was awarded, as specified. Provides for disbursement by pro rata share when there are not sufficient funds to provide each eligible student with a full grant.

Requires grant recipients and school administrators of NCSSM to report to the board of county commissioners and House of Representatives and Senate whose districts include the county of the student's permanent residence that the student has accepted a tuition grant. Requires the recipient to report each semester to the members of the House and and Senate whose districts include the county of the student's permanent residence on the student's academic progress, activities, and projects. Requires NCSSM to report to the NCGA annually on the number of students accepting grants and attending constituent institutions and aggregate data on student outcomes and activities. 

Establishes the NC Tuition Grant Reserve Fund (Reserve) to hold all monies appropriated to the Authority to provide the tuition grants, all returned tuition grant monies, and all interest earned, to be used for tuition grants for the academic year that begins in the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the appropriation is made to to the Reserve, and up to 5% of the funds appropriated each fiscal year to cover the Authority's administrative costs.

Includes resident students who graduated from NCSSM at the end of the 2018-19 school year and were awarded a tuition grant for the 2019-20 academic year under Section 10A.5 of SL 2018-5, in the award of tuition grants beginning with the 2020-21 academic year.

Appropriates $2.2 million in recurring funds for 2019-20 and $2.2 million in additional recurring funds for 2020-21 from the General Fund to the North Carolina Tuition Grant Fund Reserve for awarding tuition grants.

Effective July 1, 2019, and applies beginning with the award of grants for the 2020-21 academic year.

Amends GS 163A-1300(b) by extending the period for early voting to 5:00 p.m. on the last Saturday before an election (formerly 7:00 p.m. on the last Friday). One-stop voting will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on that Saturday. Adds a provision to GS 163A-1303 to allow a county board of elections to request a variation in the hours of operation for one-stop voting sites; the change will take effect only if approved by unanimous vote of all State Board of Elections members. Clarifies that one-stop sites operating on Saturdays, other than the last Saturday before an election, must hold uniform hours within a county. 

Amends GS 116-143.3 as the title indicates. Effective July 1, 2019, and applies beginning with the 2019-20 school year. 

Directs the Department of Commerce (Department) to study state ports and other transportation infrastructure to identify existing assets, current capabilities, and needed investments and potential improvements to enhance the State's facilitation and fostering of the growth of the offshore wind supply chain industries in the state. Requires consultation with the NC State Ports Authority and permits engagement with local governments and other stakeholders. Directs the Department to conduct an economic development study to evaluate the results of the study as well as any other state assets to create a roadmap for the state to effectively compete in attracting offshore wind energy supply chain industries. Details eight elements the Department must consider in conducting the study and creating the roadmap, including the potential benefits to local tax bases and expected additional contribution to state economic output. Directs the Department to submit the reports and roadmap to the specified NCGA committee and division by March 1, 2020. Appropriates $300,000 in nonreverting funds from the General Fund to the Department for the 2019-20 fiscal year to conduct the studies and create the roadmap described. Effective July 1, 2019.

Makes the following changes to GS Chapter 41A, the State Fair Housing Act.

Adds to the defined terms set out in GS 41A-3. Defines private assistance to mean financial assistance received from a private source, including a nonprofit organization, charitable organization, or any other nongovernmental source. Defines source of income to mean any lawful source of money paid directly, indirectly, or on behalf of a renter or buyer of housing, including income derived from any lawful profession or occupation, and income or rental payments derived from any government or private assistance, grant, or loan program.

Expands the scope of GS 41A-4, which sets out unlawful discriminatory housing practices based on the individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicapping condition, or familial status, to include discrimination against an individual based on the individual's source of income in the context of real estate transactions, the business of engaging in real estate transactions, and land-use decisions and development permitting, as described. Makes conforming changes to GS 41A-5 and GS 41A-6.

Applies to real estate transactions entered into on or after December 1, 2019.

Enacts new GS 115C-248.5 (applicable to private church schools or schools of religious charter) and GS 115C-556.5 (applicable to qualified nonpublic schools) to encourage those schools, in coordination with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies, to adopt a school risk management plan related to incidents of school violence. Encourages providing schematic diagrams and keys to local law enforcement agencies and allows placing school crisis kits in schools. Encourages full school-wide lockdown exercises at least once a year. Allows, with the local sheriff's consent, the school to authorize a person with a concealed handgun permit to possess and carry a handgun on the educational property; encourages coordinating with local law enforcement on the role and responsibility in the school risk management plan of any person permitted to carry a handgun on the property. 

Amends GS 14-269.2 by adding and defining the terms school board of trustees and school administrative director. Allows a private school employee or volunteer to carry a weapon on educational property if: (1) the person has written authorization from the school board of trustees or the school administrative director and the local sheriff to possess and carry a handgun on the educational property owned, used, or operated by the private school; (2) the weapon is a handgun; (3) the person has a concealed handgun permit; (4) the person has successfully completed under the direct supervision of a certified National Rifle Association instructor or the equivalent a minimum of eight hours annually of courses on, or relating to, gun safety and the appropriate use of firearms in addition to the firearms training and safety course required for a concealed handgun permit; (5) the private school adopts and maintains written standard operating procedures regarding the possession and carrying of the listed weapons on the educational property and distributes copies of the procedures to the parents of students attending the private school annually; and (6) the person is on the premises of the educational property owned, used, or operated by the private school at which the person is an employee or volunteer. Allows a person with a concealed handgun permit who is in a place of religious worship when students are not attending class that is located on educational property owned, used, or operated by the membership of the place of religious worship to possess and carry a handgun while attending specified types of services and functions at the place of religious worship. Defines place of religious worship and attending for these purposes.

Effective December 1, 2019. 

Enacts new GS 160A-289.3 allowing a city, by ordinance, to establish a citizen review board (board) to review appeals of disciplinary actions involving allegations of misconduct by law enforcement officers employed by that city's law enforcement agency. Requires the ordinance to specify at least: (1) the composition of the board, which must be between five and 11 members; (2) the qualifications to serve on the board, which must at least include seven specified qualifications including that no member may be employed by the city, each member must attend a citizen's academy and must have completed a ride-along with a law enforcement officer within one year; (3) the procedure for appointing members to the board with must include application to the city and unanimous approval by the city council; and (4) the manner in which board hearings are to be held. Members serve for a term of two years and must not serve two consecutive terms. Sets out provisions for member removal, election of a chairman, and the calling of meetings. Requires members to sign confidentiality agreements, the violation of which is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor, up to a $1,000 fine, and cause for removal.

Allows a law enforcement officer and any person involved in a hearing before the board to be represented by an attorney at the hearing. Does not give the board subpoena power, and does not allow the board to review appeals of decisions by the city manager or city governing board. 

Subject to federal law restrictions, requires the head of the law enforcement agency employing the officer alleged to have committed misconduct to give the board personnel files and other material necessary to complete its investigation. 

Provides that any finding or recommendation by the board as to disciplinary action is not binding on the head of the law enforcement agency or the city employing the officer and is confidential. 

Requires the board to make a semiannual and an annual report of its actions to the head of the law enforcement agency in the city that established the board and to the city's governing board; the report is public record. 

Prohibits using state funds to establish or operate a board.

Specifies that a board does not have the authority to investigate or review allegations of misconduct by law enforcement officers employed by a county police department or sheriff's department, by a company police agency, by a campus police agency, or by a special agency created by the State. 

Preempts conflicting local acts. 

Defines terms that are used in the statute.

Effective October 1, 2019. 

Adds to GS 1A-1, Rule 51, concerning instructions to the jury. Requires the court to reduce the oral jury instructions to writing and provide the written instructions to the jury to take to the jury room during deliberations in civil case subject to Rule 9(j) of the Rules of Civil Procedure (concerning medial malpractice pleadings).

Amends GS 7A-47.3 to encourage and authorize the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge to designate a specific resident judge or specific judge assigned to the District to preside over all cases subject to Rule 9(j) of the Rules of Civil Procedure. 

Applies to actions filed on or after October 1, 2019.

Appropriates $1.5 million from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for the 2019-20 fiscal year to be used as grant-in-aid to Bridge II Sports. Restricts the use of the funds to the implementation of the adapted sports program, EveryBODYPlaysNC, for NC students with disabilities in grades K-12. Requires local school administrative units to conduct the program. Details requirements of the program, including compliance with the specified letter from the US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, and providing for opportunities for collaboration with universities, community colleges, and other community organizations. Directs Bridge II Sports to report to the specified NCGA committee by April 15, 2020, on the implementation of the program, including data on student outcomes and expenditure of State funds. Effective July 1, 2019.

Makes the following changes to Article 9C, Schools for Students with Visual and Hearing Impairments, of GS Chapter 115C.

Amends GS 115C-150.11 to specify that the State Board of Education (State Board) has general supervision and administration responsibilities for the Governor Morehead School for the Blind, the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf, and the North Carolina School for the Deaf ([the residential schools] previously, charged the State Board as the sole governing agency). Houses the residential schools administratively within the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Provides for each residential school to operate independently through a board of trustees. Directs each board of trustees to appoint a school director to act as secretary to the board and manage school personnel, day-to-day operations, and the operating budget, at the direction of the respective board (previously, charged the Superintendent of Public Instruction with administration, staff appointment, and oversight of the schools).

Enacts GS 115C-150.11A to provide parameters for the appointment of an 11-member board of trustees for each residential school by the General Assembly, the Governor, and the State Board chair. Provides for staggered six-year terms, with certain members serving initial terms of three years. Provides for board vacancies, chair, quarterly meetings, member expenses, and procedures. 

Provides for corporate powers for the boards of trustees of the schools, as specified. Amends the applicability provisions of the Chapter set out in GS 115C-150.12 to specify that the requirements for the Chapter for schools and local school administrative units apply to the schools. Deems each residential school to be a local school administrative unit for purposes of federal law and the administration of state law. 

Amends GS 115C-150.13 to direct each board of trustees to adopt necessary rules for the administration of the residential school to implement the Article's requirements, including admission criteria (previously required the State Board to adopt rules necessary for DPI to implement the Article). Subjects the boards of trustees to rules adopted by the State Board pursuant to GS Chapter 150B.

Makes further conforming and technical changes to the Article.

Repeals Section 10 of SL 2013-247 (which authorizes DPI to reorganize residential school staff); Section 10.21A(g) of SL 2010-31 (which transfers certain Department of Health and Human Services personnel to DPI); Section 7.25(c) of SL 2011-145 (which authorized DPI to establish a principal position at a residential school which was not assigned a principal position); and Section 8.15(b) of SL 2013-360 (which directs DPI to retain receipts from residential school building space rentals for staffing and operation of the residential schools).

Directs DPI to retain all proceeds generated from the rental of building space on the residential school campuses beginning with the 2020-21 fiscal year and allocate all receipts generated from the leases to the boards of trustees, in equal amounts, to staff and operate each school. Prohibits the use of the receipts for supporting DPI administrative functions.

Authorizes DPI to continue its administrative duties and responsibilities for the residential schools as of June 30, 2020, until the board of trustees for each school has successfully transitioned into the administrative role, no later than October 1, 2020. 

Appropriates $1.5 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to DPI for the 2020-21 fiscal year to be allocated to the residential schools for operating expenses and personnel.

Provides that the above provisions are effective July 1, 2020.

Direct the appointing authorities to appoint the initial members of the boards of trustees for each the residential schools by May 1, 2020, to take office effective July 1, 2020.

Directs DPI to develop a transition plan, in collaboration with the personnel from each residential school, for the administrative changes that become effective July 1, 2020. Directs DPI to report to the specified NCGA committee by December 15, 2019, on the transition plan.

Part I.

Enacts GS Chapter 47I, Notice of Settlement Act, to create an additional, nonexclusive procedure for registering a property interest in real property through the use of a notice of settlement, and establishing priority in a grantee of a conveyance or lease from the time of filing of the notice settlement. Sets forth 14 defined terms applicable to the Chapter. Allows notice agent to register an instrument, upon contract between the current owner of record and a grantee, designated a Notice of Settlement (Notice) in the county register of deeds in which real property is situated with reference to the settlement that the notice agent in good faith reasonable believes will occur within 60 days of the registration. Provides for the registration and indexing of the Notice and a registration fee. Details the required form and contents of the Notice.

Provides that the registration of the Notice is constructive notice of the anticipated settlement and interest of the grantee or mortgagee affecting the real property identified in the Notice. Provides that registration of the Notice establishes priority of title of the grantee or mortgage, as described, except over four specified types of interests or claims. Allows a closing attorney or settlement agent to pay any potential liens upon the real property that is the subject of the Notice or any known liabilities of the current owner of record that can affect the title. Clarifies that the owner of record is not relieved from any personal liability under the statute. Provides for name changes between the registered Notice to the registered settlement instrument. Allows for an attorney to sign a statement to register which provided that the attorney has updated the title on applicable online registries and identified any conveyances, liens or encumbrances found online after registration of the Notice. Details duration, priority and nonrenewability of the Notice. Allows for an Additional Notice of Settlement. Provides a form for early termination of a Notice.

Provides a severability clause for the Chapter.

Makes conforming changes to GS 47-18, GS 47-20, and GS 161-14.1, concerning priority and subsequent recordings. 

Applies to notices of settlement registered on or after January 1, 2020.

Part II.

Makes clarifying changes to Section 4.1 of SL 2018-80 regarding the effective dates of the act.

Amends GS 46-17.1 to require the first page of all deeds or deeds of trust to be registered to show the name of the drafter (rather than the person or law firm who drafted the instrument). Clarifies that the register of deeds is not required to verify or make inquiry concerning the capacity or authority of the person or entity shown as the drafter. Makes conforming and technical deletions.