Part I.

Amends GS 14-269, which prohibits carrying concealed weapons, to establish that the term weapon does not include a firearm for purposes of the statute. Makes conforming changes to eliminate subsections (a1) and (a2) pertaining to carrying a concealed handgun with a permit and the punishments set out for violations of those subsections in subsection (c). Makes further conforming changes to eliminate related defenses to prosecution under this statute. Adds new subsection (a3) to provide that the exceptions to the prohibition on carrying a concealed weapon listed in subsection (b) of the statute that include a condition that the person have a concealed carry permit require a person to have a concealed handgun permit issued in accordance with Article 54B of GS Chapter 14 or one considered valid under GS 14-415.24 (reciprocity for out-of-state handgun permits or licenses) to qualify as an exception. 

Enacts Article 54C, Carrying Concealed Handguns, to establish that any person who is a US citizen and is at least 18 years old can carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina unless prohibited otherwise by law; violations are a Class 3 misdemeanor. Makes it unlawful for a person who meets any of the 14 specified criteria to carry a concealed handgun, including a person who is under indictment for a felony, or who is or has been adjudicated to be a danger to self or others due to mental illness or lack of mental capacity. Makes a violation of this prohibition a Class 2 misdemeanor for a first offense, and a Class H felony for a second or subsequent offense. Requires a person to carry valid identification when carrying a concealed handgun. Further, requires a person to disclose to any law enforcement officer that the person is carrying a concealed handgun when approached or addressed by the officer, and to display the proper identification upon the officer's request. Makes a violation of this subsection an infraction punishable in accordance with GS 14-3.1 (setting a penalty not to exceed $100).

Prohibits carrying a concealed weapon, unless provided otherwise by law, (1) in an area prohibited by a rule adopted by the Legislative Services Commission under GS 120-32.1 concerning State legislative buildings and grounds, (2) in any area prohibited by 18 USC 922 or any other federal law, (3) in a law enforcement or correctional facility, or (4) on any private premises where notice is given by posting a conspicuous notice or statement by the person in legal possession or control of the premises that carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited. Makes a violation of this statute a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Amends GS 14-269.3 by amending the prohibition on carrying any gun, rifle, or pistol into an assembly where an admission fee has been charged, or into an establishment in which alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed, so that it now applies to any person consuming alcohol, or at any time while the person has remaining in the person's body any alcohol or in the person's blood a controlled substance previously consumed (was, applied to any person). Removes the exemptions to the prohibition.

Amends GS 14-269.4 to exempt a person carrying a concealed handgun from the prohibition on carrying weapons into certain State property and courthouses, so long as the firearm is in a closed compartment or container within the person's locked vehicle or in a locked container securely affixed to the person's vehicle (previously, exempted persons carrying a concealed handgun with a valid permit under GS 14-415.24, a concealed handgun permit considered valid under GS 14-415.24, or a person who is exempt from obtaining a permit under GS 14-415.25, who has a firearm in the locked vehicle as specified). Makes similar changes to exempt carrying a concealed handgun from the prohibition of possessing any dangerous weapons at parades or funeral processions (previously, exempted persons carrying a concealed handgun with a valid permit, a concealed handgun permit considered valid under GS 14-415.24, or is exempt from obtaining a permit under GS 14-415.25). Does not make changes to the clarification that a person may not carry a handgun on any premises where the person in legal possession or control of the premises has posted a conspicuous notice prohibiting the carrying of a concealed handgun on the premises in accordance with GS 14-415.11(c).

Amends GS 14-269.1 to include convictions under new GS 14-415.35(b) under the convicted offenses for which the presiding trial judge must order the confiscation and disposal of the deadly weapon referenced in the conviction, in the judge's discretion as specified. Also establishes that this provision applies to a conviction of any offense in addition to those specified involving the use of a deadly weapon, including a firearm.

Amends GS 14-269.2, which prohibits the carrying of weapons on any kind of educational property or to a curricular or extracurricular school-sponsored activity, as follows. Amends subsection (i) to exempt employees who reside on the higher education institution or nonpublic post-secondary educational institution at which the person is employed, who in addition to meeting other specified qualifications, has a handgun on the premises of the employee's residence or in a closed compartment or container within the employee's locked vehicle located in a parking area of the property at which the person is employed and resides (previously, exempted persons carrying a concealed handgun with a valid permit or who is exempt from obtaining a permit under Article 54B of GS Chapter 14). Makes conforming changes to eliminate provisions concerning employees who are not authorized to carry a concealed handgun pursuant to Article 54B of GS Chapter 14. Makes identical changes to subsection (j) exempting employees of a public or nonpublic school who reside on the campus of the school at which the person is employed. Makes conforming changes to eliminate reference to concealed handgun permits in the exemption set out in subsection (k), which sets out parameters for how a handgun must be kept in a locked compartment within the person's locked vehicle. 

Amends GS 14-401.24, which sets out the provisions for the unlawful possession and use of unmanned aircraft systems, to make a clarifying change to define the term weapon to include any object capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death when used as a weapon, including a firearm. 

Amends GS 14-409.40, which establishes the regulation of firearms as an issue of general statewide concern, to provide that nothing in this statute prohibits municipalities or counties from application of their authority under GS 14-415.35 (as enacted by this act).

Amends GS 14-415.4, which provides for the restoration of firearms rights, to direct the court to deny the petition to restore the firearms rights of any petitioner if the court finds the petitioner is under indictment for a felony (previously, if the court finds that the petitioner is under indictment for a felony or a finding of probable cause exists against the petitioner for a felony).

Enacts GS 14-415.10A to provide that the State of North Carolina is to continue to make a concealed handgun permit available, even though it is lawful to carry a concealed handgun without a permit under new GS 14-415.35, to any person who applies for and is eligible to receive a concealed handgun permit pursuant to Article 54B of GS Chapter 14, reasoning that a permit is convenient for purposes of reciprocity when traveling out of state and to make the purchase of a firearm. 

Amends GS 14-415.11 to eliminate the provision that allows a military concealed handgun permittee to carry a concealed handgun during the 90 days following the end of deployment when that permittee's permit has expired during deployment. 

Repeals GS 14-415.22 (the construction provisions of Article 54B of GS Chapter 14).

Amends GS 74E-6 to provide that company police officers have the authority to carry concealed weapons pursuant to and in conformity with new GS 14-415.35 in addition to GS 14-269(b)(4) and (5) if duly authorized by the superior officer in charge. Company police agencies can be a hospital, a State institution, or a corporation engaged in providing on-site police security personnel service for persons or property under GS 74E-2 that is certified by the Attorney General in accordance with The Company Police Act, GS Chapter 74E.

Amends GS 74G-6 to provide that campus police officers have the authority to carry concealed weapons pursuant to and in conformity with new GS 14-415.35 in addition to GS 14-269(b) if duly authorized by their campus police agency and by the sheriff of the county in which the campus police agency is located. Campus police agencies can be public educational institutions operating under the authority of the UNC Board of Governors or the State Board of Community Colleges and private educational institutions licensed by the UNC Board of Governors pursuant to GS 116-15 or that are exempt from licensure by the Board of Governors pursuant to GS 116-15(c) and certified by the Attorney General in accordance with The Campus Police Act, GS Chapter 74G.

Amends GS 113-136 to authorize inspectors and protectors of the Department of Environmental Quality to arrest for violations of new GS 14-415.35, subject to the direction of administrative superiors, relating to matters within the jurisdiction of the Department concerning the conservation of marine and estuarine resources and relating to matters within the jurisdiction of the Wildlife Resources Commission concerning boating and water safety, hunting and trapping, fishing, and activities in woodlands and on inland waters. 

Applicable to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Part II.

Adds to the exception from the prohibition set forth in GS 14-269 against carrying a concealed weapon when a person is not on their own premises to include any elected official or person appointed to fill an elective office when the person is acting in the discharge of their official duties and possess a concealed handgun permit or an out-of-state permit considered valid under GS 14-415.24. Specifies that the exemption does not apply while the person is consuming alcohol or an unlawful controlled substance or while either remains in the person's body. Further specifies that the exemption does not exempt the person from carrying weapons on campus or education property as prohibited in GS 14-269.2; makes a conforming clarification to GS 14-269.2(g).

Amends GS 14-415.27 to authorize an elected official or person appointed to fill an elective office to conceal carry in the area prohibitions set forth in GS 14-415.11(c), except for those described in GS 14-269.2, when acting in the discharge of their official duties and possessing a concealed handgun permit or an out-of-state permit considered valid under GS 14-415.21, subject to federal law.

Part III.

Includes a savings clause. 

Declares it is the policy of the State under GS 143-58.2 for all State departments, institutions, agencies, community colleges, and local school administrative units, to the extent economically practicable, to purchase and use, or require the purchase and use of, materials and supplies with compostable or recyclable content in food establishments operated under the auspices of the department, institution, agency, community college, and local school administrative unit. Updates name of the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach so that is referred to as the Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (Division). Adds a new annual reporting requirement for all State departments, institutions, agencies, community colleges, and local administrative units which have authority to purchase materials and supplies to require each entity to report to the Division on or before October 1 the amounts and types of materials and supplies with composable or recyclable content purchased during the previous fiscal year. Requires the Secretary of Administration and each State department listed above to review and revise its bid procedures and specifications for the purchase or use of materials and supplies to eliminate any procedures and specifications that explicitly discriminate against materials and supplies with recycled content, except where procedures and specifications are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this State (was, had to do this by January 1, 1995).

Amends GS 130A-309.14 to require State departments, institutions, agencies, community colleges, and local school administrative units to report annually to the Division on the amounts and types of materials collected for recycling. Amends GS 130A-309.06 to expand upon the requirements of the report from DEQ to the Environmental Review Commission (ERC) to: (1) now require that the report also be submitted to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations; (2) require that the report include a summary of reports from State departments, institutions, agencies, community colleges, and local school administrative units authorized to purchase materials and supplies on the amounts and types of materials and supplies with recycled content that were purchased during the previous fiscal year; (3) require that the report include a summary of the reports from those same entities on the amounts and types of materials collected for recycling during the previous fiscal year.  

Requires the NC Policy Collaboratory (Collaboratory) to study the issue of food service ware by examining 10 specific matters, including the environmental impacts of plastics pollution, pending and enacted legislation in other states to regulate food service ware, and alternatives to use of food service ware for serving or transporting food and beverages. Requires the Collaboratory to consult with stakeholders, including specified State departments, representatives of the environmental community, the NC Retail Merchants Association, and the NC Beverage Association. Requires the Committee to report to the 2026 Session of the 2025 General Assembly upon its convening. Defines food service ware as products, other than compostable or recyclable products, used by a food provider  that are designed for one-time use for serving or transporting prepared, ready-to-consume food  or beverages, including plates, cups, bowls, trays, utensils, straws, cup lids, and hinged or lidded containers.

Directs the Legislative Services Officer to evaluate opportunities to reduce the use of food service ware in food establishments and beverage services (provision of coffee, water, and other beverages at committee meetings and chambers) operated by the General Assembly and implement the measure at the earliest date that does not result in disposal prior to use of food service ware already procured on the date the act becomes law and does not impair contracts for purchase of food service ware in effect on the date the act becomes law. Establishes a pilot program run by Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) to eliminate the sale or provision of food or beverages in or with food service ware at five facilities selected by DNCR governed by the same timeline and requirements.  Directs the Legislative Services Officer and DNCR to each submit a preliminary report to the ERC by September 1, 2025, and a final report by March 1, 2026.

Appropriates $50,000 funds for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Collaboratory to carry out the study required above. Effective July 1, 2025.

Establishes a seven-member Committee, with two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as specified, two appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as specified, and three appointed by the Governor. Charges the Committee with studying and making recommendations on adjusting the State's current travel allowances for State officers, employees, teachers, and members of boards, commissions, and the NCGA. Sets out items that must be considered as a part of the study. Requires the first meeting to be called by the Governor no later than 30 days after the effective date of this act, at which time a Chair is appointed. Allows for the establishment of subcommittees. Requires a report to the specified NCGA commission by March 15, 2026. Terminates the Committee upon the earlier of the submission of its report or March 15, 2026.

Adds new Article 8, Standard Time, to GS Chapter 81A, consisting of new GS 81A-100, which requires North Carolina and its political subdivisions to observe standard time throughout the year. Effective March 8, 2026.

Allows individual taxpayers to deduct the amount allowed as a deduction for wagering losses under Section 165(d) of the IRS Code to the extent the losses are not deducted in arriving at adjusted gross income as an itemized deduction under GS 105-153.5. Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2024. 

Amends GS 120-32.1 by requiring the Legislative Services Officer to display the national motto "In God We Trust" directly above and behind the dais of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate. Requires the display to be consistent with the motto that is above and behind the dais of the Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

Requires the Legislative Services Officer to first use any funds gifted or otherwise provided to the State by a private individual or entity for this purpose. Provides that to the extent any of the funds are deemed unappropriated, the funds are appropriated for the purpose of this act. Provides that if no funds are gifted or otherwise provided by no later than 90 days from the effective date of this act, the Legislative Services Officer is allowed to use funds available to cover any costs incurred from implementing the display.

Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the temporary Rules of the House, found in House Resolution 1, by amending the standing committees listed in Rule 27 as follows. Changes Agriculture Committee to the Agriculture and Environment Committee and removes the Environment Committee and the Marine Resources and Aquaculture Committee. Changes Appropriations, Capital to Appropriations, Capital and Information Technology and removes Appropriations, Information Technology. Changes Commerce to Commerce and Economic Development. Changes the Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform Committee to the Election Law Committee. Establishes the Higher Education Committee and removes the Education--Community Colleges, and Education--Universities committees. Establishes the Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery Committee and removes the Disaster Recovery and Homeland Security committee. Establishes the Homeland Security and Military and Veteran Affairs Committee and removes the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. Establishes the Housing and Development Committee. Changes the State Government Committee to the State and Local Government Committee and removes the Local Government--Land Use, Planning and Development Committee, and the Local Government Committee. Changes the Oversight and Reform Committee to the Oversight Committee. Removes the following committees: Banking; Families, Children, and Aging Policy; Redistricting; State Personnel; UNC Board of Governors Nominations; and Unemployment Insurance. 

Enacts GS 20-7(q3) requiring the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to develop, in consultation with specified entities, a drivers license designation that can be granted to a person with autism spectrum disorder, as defined by statutory cross-reference, upon request. Establishes eight criteria and requirements applicable to the designation, including (1) entering the designation into the electronic record associated with the person's license, (2) the requesting individual providing verification or documentation substantiating the diagnosis, as specified, (3) limiting use of the information collected for mutually safe interactions with law enforcement, and (4) developing a process for voluntary removal of the designation.

Amends GS 17C-6, concerning the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, and GS 17E-4, concerning the Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission, adding the following to the Commissions' powers regarding establishing minimum educational and training standards for employment and continuing education for criminal justice officers and officers, respectively. Now requires the minimum educational and training standards to include recognition and appropriate interaction with persons with autism spectrum disorder, and drivers license and vehicle registration identifiers of persons with autism spectrum disorder, including that the identifiers are optional. 

Applies to drivers licenses issued on or after January 1, 2026.

Repeals Section 9.15 of SL 2017-57, which restricts the Board of Trustees of Stanly Community College from operating a culinary school or program on any other site other than on the community college's main campus.