Enacts new GS 62-334, requiring public utilities to provide security systems at substations to protect against vandalism and other security threats. Requires public utilities to continuously operate the security systems 24 hours a day. Effective July 1, 2025.

Enacts new GS 106-138.1 in Article 12 of GS Chapter 106, the North Carolina Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Violations of this Article are a Class 2 misdemeanor and violators may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $2,000.

Sets out requirements for advertisements by a manufacturer of prescription drugs or biological products or an affiliate of the manufacturer or a labeler that receives prescription drugs or biological products from a manufacturer or wholesaler and repackages those drugs or biological products for later retail sale and that has a specified labeler code from the FDA. Defines prescription drug as a drug that under federal law is required, prior to being dispensed or delivered, to be labeled with the following statement: "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription." Requires that a manufacturer include the following in any regulated advertisement: (1) the date the prescription drug or biological product received approval from the FDA for the advertised use of the drug or product; (2) the date the prescription drug or biological product was first available for purchase by consumers in the US; (3) for any side effect that must be included in an advertisement for a prescription drug or biological product under section 352(n) or 353(c) of Title 21 of the US Code, or any federal regulation or rule issued pursuant to Title 16 of the US Code, the regulated advertisement must include at least the following for any clinical trial which evidenced the side effect that must be listed: a. the length of the trial; b. the number of trial participants; and c. the frequency of the listed side effect, expressed by the number or percentage of participants experiencing the side effect. Defines regulated advertisement as a presentation made to consumers located in North Carolina of a commercial message regarding a prescription drug or biological product by a manufacturer made through any media, including television, radio, internet, and print advertisements. Also defines biological product and clinical trial. Applies to advertisements for a prescription drug or biological product published in this state on or after October 1, 2025.

Amends GS 74-51 to allow a mining permit to be denied if the cumulative impact of the proposed action (including the impact on public health), when considered in relation to other similar impacts of actions taken or proposed in the community, would have a disproportionate adverse impact on a low-income community or a minority community protected by Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. Effective July 1, 2025, and applies to any application for a mining permit on that date.

Amends GS 130A-294(a)(4), which prohibits issuing a permit for a solid waste management facility if the cumulative impact of the proposed facility would have a disproportionate adverse impact on a low-income community or a minority or low-income community protected by Title VI  of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. Removes the provision limiting applicability only to the extent it is required by federal law. Effective July 1, 2025, and applies to any application for a permit for a solid waste management facility pending on that date. 

Amends GS 113A-4 to require every State agency to include in every recommendation or report on any action involving significant expenditure of public moneys or use of public land for projects and programs significantly affecting the quality of the state's environment a detailed statement by the responsible official setting forth the cumulative impact of the proposed action (including the impact on public health), when considered in relation to other similar impacts of actions taken or proposed in the community, on a low-income community or a minority community protected by Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. Effective July 1, 2025, and applies to any environmental documents for proposed actions submitted on or after that date.

Amends GS 113A-120 to require denying a development permit upon finding that the proposed development, when considered in relation to other similar impacts of developments located or proposed in the community, would have a disproportionate adverse impact (including impacts on public health) on a low-income community or a minority community protected by Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. Makes conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2025, and applies to any application for a permit pending on that date.

Amends GS 130A-294 to require that the standards for permitting hazardous waste facilities include consideration of the cumulative impact of the proposed remediation (including the impact on public health), when considered in relation to other similar impacts of actions taken or proposed in the community, on a low-income community or a minority community protected by Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. Effective July 1, 2025, and applies to any application for a permit pending on that date.

Amends GS 130A-310.69 to require a remedial action plan to include an analysis of the cumulative impact of the proposed remediation (including the impact on public health) when considered in relation to other similar impacts of actions taken or proposed in the community on a low-income community or a minority community protected by Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. Effective July 1, 2025, and applies to remedial action plans submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality on or after that date.

Amends GS 143-215.10C to require denial of a permit application, permit renewal, or a certificate of coverage or renewal of certificate of coverage under a general permit for an animal waste management system if it finds that the cumulative impact of the proposed permit or certificate, when considered in relation to other similar impacts of actions taken or proposed in the community, would have a disproportionate adverse impact (including impacts on public health) on a low-income community or a minority community protected by Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. Effective July 1, 2025, and applies to any application for a permit or permit renewal pending on that date.

Amends GS 143-215.108 to give the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC) the power to deny applications for permits required under Title V or to require suitable mitigation if it finds that the cumulative impact of the proposed air contaminant source, when considered in relation to other similar impacts of air contaminant sources permitted or proposed in the community, would have a disproportionate adverse impact (including impacts on public health) on a low-income community or a minority community protected by Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. Effective July 1, 2025, and applies to any application for a permit or permit renewal pending on that date.

Amends GS 143-215.1 to give the EMC the power to deny any of the permitted activities impacting water quality under the statute or the renewal of those permits when the Commission finds that the cumulative impact of the proposed action, when considered in relation to other similar impacts of actions taken or proposed in the community, would have a disproportionate adverse impact (including impacts on public health) on a low-income community or a minority community protected by Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. Effective July 1, 2025, and applies to any application for a permit pending on that date.

Enacts new GS 143B-279.21 requiring that when the Department of Environmental Quality or any Commission with permitting authority under Article 7 (Department of Environmental Quality) considers an application for a permit or approval for a new or expanded facility, source, or project in an overburdened community, at least one public hearing must be held in the overburdened community, there must be 60 days' advance notice of the hearing, and the hearing officer's report must include a response to community input received at the hearing or in response to the notice. Sets out defined terms for the statute, including defining overburdened community as a census block, as designated by the most recent census of the US Census Bureau, in which at least 30% of the households qualify as low-income households, or a geographically distinct area that is a community of color.

Includes whereas clauses.

Adds new Part 2K to Article 10 of GS Chapter 143B, known as the North Carolina Small Business Retirement Savings Program (Program). Sets out and defines terms that are used in the Program. Defines a covered employer as a person or entity engaged in a business, industry, profession, trade, or other enterprise in the state, whether for profit or not for profit and provided that the covered employer does not include an employer that maintains a specified tax-favored retirement plan for its employees or has done so effective in form and operation at any time within the current or two preceding calendar years; excludes the federal government, the State, any county, any municipality, or any political subdivision of the State. Defines a participating employer as a covered employer that provides for covered employees a payroll deduction IRA provided for by this Article.

Establishes the 12-member North Carolina Small Business Retirement Savings Board (Board) housed for administrative purposes in the Department of Commerce (Department). Provides that 10 members are voting and two are nonvoting advisory members, with initial appointments to be made by October 1, 2025. Provides for the appointment of members; members serve for four-year terms  (except as specified for initial members) with terms staggered. Requires the Governor to convene the first meeting of the Board by October 15, 2025. Provides for electing a chair and appointing vacancies. Sets out the Board's 20 duties, including: (1) design, develop, implement, maintain, govern, and promulgate rules with respect to a payroll deduction retirement savings program for covered employers and, to that end conduct market, legal, and feasibility analyses; (2) develop and implement an investment policy that meets specified requirements, that defines the Program's investment objectives, consistent with the objectives of the Program, and that provides for policies and procedures consistent with those investment objectives; (3) adopt rules it deems necessary or advisable for the implementation of this Article and the administration and operation of the Program; (4) invest and reinvest funds in the Administrative Fund in accordance with applicable State and federal laws; and (5) evaluate the need for, and procure if and as deemed necessary, pooled private insurance against any and all loss in connection with the property, assets, or activities of the Program. Prohibits a Board member, executive director, and other Board staff from: (1) having any interest in the making of any investment under the Program or in gains or profits accruing from any such investment; (2) borrowing any Program-related funds or deposits or use any such funds or deposits in any manner, for himself or herself or as an agent or partner of others; or (3) becoming an endorser, surety, or obligor on investments made under the Program. Sets out provisions governing the standard of conduct for Board members and Program staff.

Sets out 20 requirements that the Program must meet, including: (1) provide a process to facilitate voluntary enrollment into the Program for covered employers, covered employees, and self-employed persons; (2) provide that the IRA to which contributions are made will be a Roth IRA, with the Board allowed to add an option for participants to affirmatively elect to contribute to a traditional IRA as an alternative to the Roth IRA; (3) provide that the standard package must be a Roth IRA with a target date fund investment, and a contribution rate that begins at 5% of salary or wages; (4) provide for a uniform annual increase in the participant's contribution rate of up to 1%; (5) allow a covered employer to withhold payroll deductions from a covered employee's paycheck for making a covered employee contribution to the Program funds; (6) include an account status notification process for covered employees to be notified about and track their investments; and (7) ensure that the Program is designed to be financially self-sustaining over time. 

Requires the Board to adopt rules on four specified items related to implementing the Program, including conducting outreach to individuals, employers, other stakeholders, and the public regarding the Program.

Provides covered employers with protection from liability in six specified areas, including an employee's decision to participate in or not to participate in the Program or a participant's specific elections under the Program; participants' or the Board's investment decisions; and any loss, failure to realize any gain, or any other adverse consequences incurred by any person as a result of participating in the Program.

Provides that the State has no duty or liability to any party for the payment of any retirement savings benefits accrued by any individual under the Program and sets out additional protections.

Prohibits disclosing, except in specified circumstances, individual account information relating to accounts under the Program and relating to individual participants including, but not limited to, specified information such as email addresses, personal identification information, investments, contributions, and earnings. Makes these items confidential and specifies they are not public record.

Establishes the North Carolina Small Business Retirement Savings Administrative Fund (Fund) with moneys in the Fund continuously appropriated to the Board. Provides that the Fund consists of (1) moneys appropriated to the Fund by the NCGA; (2) moneys transferred to the Fund from the federal government, other State agencies, or local governments; (3) moneys from the payment of application, account, administrative, or other fees and payment of money due to the Board; (4) gifts, donations, or grants made to the State for deposit in the Fund; and (5) earnings on moneys in the Fund.

Requires the Board to submit an annual report to the Governor and specified NCGA committee; specifies the required content of the report. Requires an annual audit of the Board's books and accounts.

Requires the Board to establish the Program so that individuals can begin contributing under the Program no later than July 1, 2027. Prohibits the Board from implementing the Program if and to the extent the Board determines that the Program is preempted by ERISA; sets out how the Program is to implemented in that situation. 

Appropriates $400,000 for 2025-26 and $600,000 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce to be allocated to the Board and used to: (1) enable or facilitate the start-up and continuing operation, maintenance, administration, and management of the Program until the Program accumulates sufficient balances and can generate sufficient funding through fees assessed on Program accounts for the Program to become financially self-sustaining and (2) hire an individual to serve as the initial executive director (prohibits the individual filling the position from being considered a State employee).

Effective July 1, 2025.

Adds new GS 58-39-33 (concerning use of telematics data) preventing an insurance institution or agent from collecting, receiving, selling, sharing, or otherwise using data provided by vehicle telematics regarding an applicant or policyholder without first doing all of the following:  

• Notifying the applicant or policyholder how the vehicle telematics data will be used.
• Obtaining the consent of the applicant or policyholder in writing.
• Notifying the applicant or policyholder that consent may be revoked at any time.

Provides that consent may revoked by any individual at any time. Directs insurance agents or institutions to provide reasonable means for notice of revocation of consent and to effectuate that revocation within 24 hours of its communication. Violations of the statute are an unfair trade practice under Article 63 of GS Chapter 58 and an unfair and deceptive trade practice under GS 75-1.1. Defines vehicle telematics in GS 58-37-15 as any tracking device, application, or software installed into a motor vehicle or mobile device that facilitates the transmission and storage of telemetry data regarding an individual's driving habits via wireless networks.

Applies to contracts issued,  renewed, or amended on or after October 1, 2025.

Part I.

Increases the punishment classes as follows for these crimes:

• A Class G Felony from a Class H felony for dissemination of obscene material to minors under age 16 by persons aged 18 or older (GS 14-190.7).
• A Class F felony from a Class G felony for dissemination of obscene material to minors under age 13 by persons aged 18 or older (GS 14-190.8).
• A Class H felony from a Class 1 misdemeanor for dissemination of harmful material to minors, including exhibition of live performances (GS 14-190.15).

Requires the sentencing court to consider whether the person is a danger to the community and whether they should be required to register as a sex offender upon conviction of these offenses. Provides for court order requiring registration if court finds the offender to be a danger to the community.

Makes conforming changes to GS 14-208.6(4) to account for new registration provisions. Makes additional technical changes and makes language gender neutral.

Establishes the offense of habitual indecent exposures to minors for persons with two or more prior convictions under GS 14-190.9 (indecent exposure) as a class H felony unless the conduct is punishable for another law providing greater punishment. Designates such a conviction a reportable conviction under GS 14-208.6(4), the definitions pertaining to sex offender registration.

Part II

Amends GS 20-280.5 to require transportation network company (TNC) drivers to obtain consent from an unemancipated minor’s parent or legal guardian before providing service to that minor.  Requires the TNC to ensure that the company's online-enabled application or platform provides a reliable method for confirming a parent's or guardian's consent. Effective December 1, 2025.

Enacts new GS 14-401.28 making it an infraction with $250 fine for a TNC driver to provide TNC service (defined) to an unemancipated minor, without first obtaining consent from that minor child's parent or legal guardian.

Part III

Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.  Directs that prosecutions for offenses committed before then are not abated or affected by the act and that the statutes that would be applicable but for the act remain applicable there. 

Enacts GS 163-33.4 to prohibit an individual, whether paid or volunteer, who is found to have not exercised due care and diligence while performing elections-related work during an elections process from working further in any elections process.

Adds a new Part 7, Classroom Policies, to Article 7B of GS Chapter 115C, consisting of new GS 115C-77.1, requiring public school unit governing bodies to adopt cell phone-free education policies that eliminate or severely restrict student access to cell phones during instructional time. Requires notifying parents at the beginning of each school year of the Cell Phone-Free Education Policy. Applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year.

Amends GS 135-5 (concerning the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System), GS 135-65 (concerning the Consolidated Judicial Retirement System), GS 120-4.22A (concerning the Legislative Retirement System), and GS 128-27 (concerning the Retirement System for Counties, Cities, and Towns) to provide, from and after July 1, 2025 (on or before January 1, 2025, under GS 120-4.22A) a 3% increase in the retirement allowance to or on account of beneficiaries whose retirement commenced on or before July 1, 2024, or a prorated amount for those whose retirement commenced after July 1, 2024, but before June 30, 2025, as determined by the respective Board of Trustees.

Appropriates $250 million from the General Fund to the Reserve for Retiree Cost-of-Living Adjustments for the 2025-26 fiscal year to implement the act.

Effective July 1, 2025.

Adds new GS 147-69.2E (investments in digital assets). Defines digital asset as a virtual currency, cryptocurrency, native electronic asset, stablecoin, nonfungible token, or any other asset that is only digital and that confers economic, proprietary, or access rights or powers. Also defines exchange-traded product, private key, and secure custody solution. Authorizes the State Treasurer to invest the cash of the funds described in GS 147-69.1(b) (the General Fund, the Highway Fund, and the Highway Trust Fund) and GS 147-69.2(a) (40 specified funds) in an amount not to exceed 10% of the balance of the fund at the time of investment, in digital assets that are both: (1) an exchange-traded product and (2) the average market capitalization of the digital assets over the preceding 12 months is at least $750 billion as determined by the Treasurer using a commercially reasonable method. Requires the Treasurer to use a secure custody solution for any internally managed digital assets.

Narrows the Governor and Council of State’s authority to promulgate just rules under GS 147-69.1 (investments for the general fund and highway funds assets) to only those that are necessary (currently, rules and regulations necessary and appropriate) to implement the statute. Makes technical and conforming changes to account for digital asset investment authority under GS 147-69.1 and GS 147-69.2 (investments authorized for special fund held by State Treasurer).

Amends the disabled veteran property tax homestead exclusion in GS 105-277.1C as follows. Allows for a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who has not remarried to apply for prequalification of the homestead exemption tax relief, even before purchasing a property, so long as a prequalified veteran/surviving spouse applies for the property tax relief when purchasing the property. Sets forth an application process and notice requirements. Authorizes a prequalified applicant to provide a copy of the prequalification to the assessor to establish eligibility for the exclusion instead of providing their disability certification or other evidence of benefits received under 38 USC 2101.

Effective for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2025.