Senate amendments make the following changes to the 4th edition.
Amendment #1 makes the following changes.
Section 2A.2
Modifies the permitted uses of the $20 million allocated to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) for distribution to State agencies and units of local government to include debris and sedimentation removal unmet needs (was, just debris removal unmet needs).
Amendment #2 adds the following and makes the following changes.
Section 5.8
Adds Swain County schools to those schools provided calendar flexibility for any instructional days or equivalent hours missed due to inclement weather during the months of December 2024 through February 2025.
Adds amendments to Section 12.1 of SL 2024-51 (Helene I) as follows. Modifies the end-date for the temporary change of the six-month separation requirement for Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) retirees to a one-month separation so it applies to individuals retiring on or after April 1, 2024, but before March 1, 2025 (the Retirement Period) (end-date was October 1, 2024), for those who return in a position needed due to Hurricane Helene or associated recovery efforts as certified to the Retirement Systems Division of the Department of State Treasurer by the employing agency. Makes conforming changes.
Amendment #3 adds the following.
Delays the effective date of the 2024 NC State Building Code (defined) to 12 months after the first day of the month following the date the State Fire Marshal certifies, by letter to the Revisor of Statutes with copies sent to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, that both of the following events have occurred: (1) the Building Code and Residential Code Councils (Councils) have completed the listed publication and distribution requirements and (2) the Residential Code Council is fully constituted. Declares that nothing in the act abrogates the duties of the Councils during the delay. Expires 12 months after the first day of the month following the notification required by the State Fire Marshal.
Amendment #4 makes the following changes and adds the following.
Section 2F.1
Changes the definition of small business under the Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program so that it means a business with a physical presence in the affected area that employs 150 (was, 50) or fewer employees.
Section 5.8
Requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to provide, from the available funds appropriated in Section 6.1(a)(2) of Helene I, compensation to public school unit employees and contractors of schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program for scheduled instructional days when compensation would have been provided by school meal receipts or by federal funds either (1) as authorized by the section, or (2) for a scheduled instructional day which was provided remotely pursuant to Section 8.1(b) of Helene I. (Was, of the funds allocated to DPI from the Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Fund to provide compensation to public school unit employees and contractors of schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program under Section 8.1(b) of SL 2024-51, requires DPI to provide from funds available, compensation authorized by the section to public school unit employees and contractors of schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program for scheduled instructional days when compensation would have been provided by school meal receipts or by federal funds.)
Amendment #5 makes the following changes.
Section 2A.2
Increases the appropriation from the Helene Fund for the nine listed purposes by $2 million from $532,991,704 to $534,991,704.
The Daily Bulletin: 2025-03-05
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The Daily Bulletin: 2025-03-05
House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Removes defined terms private key and secure custody solution from GS 147-69.2E (investments in digital assets). Modifies the definition of exchange-trade product so that it includes a security covered under federal law that meets one of now three listed (was, four) requirements. Removes securities that are listed, or authorized for listing, on a national securities exchange or system, or on a tier or segment of the exchange or system, that has listing standards that the North Carolina Secretary of State, on its own initiative or on the basis of an application, determines by rule are substantially similar to the listing standards applicable to certain American security exchanges as an eligible exchange-traded product. Removes requirement that the State Treasurer only invest in digital assets with an average market capitalization over the preceding 12 months of at least $750 billion as determined by the Treasurer using a commercially reasonable method. Removes the requirement that the Treasurer use a secure custody solution if he chooses to internally manage any digital assets. Removes technical changes to GS 147-69.2(e). Makes other technical changes.
| Intro. by Ross, Brody, Schietzelt, D. Hall. | GS 147 |
House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Clarifies that the report documenting violations of GS Chapter 18B or GS Chapter 14 for conduct occurring on an ABC permitted establishment must come from a law enforcement agency to trigger the ABC Commission’s notice requirements under GS 18B-502(c). Makes conforming changes to act’s titles.
| Intro. by Miller, Pyrtle. | GS 18B |
Enacts new GS 113-219 prohibiting engaging in aquaculture of any species of octopus (as defined) in this state for the purpose of human consumption. Prohibits businesses from selling, possession, or transporting any octopus species in this state that is the result or product of aquaculture. Violations are subject to a penalty of up to $1,000 per day of the violation. Allows the Department of Environmental Quality to adopt rules and regulations to implement this statute.
| Intro. by Harrison, Ball, Belk, Morey. | GS 113 |
Requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) in GS 136-19.4A to survey and install new right-of-way and permanent easement corner markers, including at all property boundary intersections along right-of-way or permanent easements acquired by DOT, utilizing metal stakes, or materials of comparable permanence, along right-of-way or permanent easements acquired by DOT in accordance with general surveying standards and procedures after the completion of a project for which right-of-way or permanent easements were acquired. Makes conforming changes, including to section title. Makes organizational and clarifying changes. Applies to DOT projects initiated on or after the act becomes law that require right-of-way or permanent easement acquisition.
| Intro. by Gillespie, B. Jones, Tyson, Iler. | GS 136 |
Contains legislative findings pertaining to corn farming and disaster relief. Directs the State Controller to transfer $89,508,792 from the State Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Fund (SERDRF) to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Department) for the 2024 Agricultural Disaster Corn Crop Loss Program (Program) to be used to assist farmers with verified losses in counties designated by USDA as agricultural disasters that occurred during 2024 in the State (hereinafter, the affected areas). Reappropriates remaining funds from the Agricultural Crop Loss Program established in Section 5.9A(c)(2) of SL 2021-180 and Section 5.4(a)(4)a. of SL 2022-74 for the Program. Allows the Department to use up to 1% of allocated funds for administrative purposes.
Establishes the following eligibility criteria:
- The person experienced a verifiable loss of corn, as a result of an agricultural disaster in 2024, and the person's farm is located in an affected area for the respective agricultural disaster.
- The corn was planted but not harvested on or before the eligibility date (i.e., the date of the disaster set forth in the Secretarial declaration for the county in which the corn is located and for which verifiable losses are claimed).
Provides a process for verification of loss through forms and documentation to report the acreage or plantings of corn crops or loss. Requires submission to the Department by no later than 45 days after the Program is effective. Allows for an additional 45-day extension for verification of corn crops where the survival level is not immediately known upon written request by the farmer that is received no later than 45 days after the Program becomes effective and approval by the Department. Provides for a sworn affidavit verifying losses.
Sets forth criteria for administering the Program pertaining to payment calculations, funds to be held in reserve for losses not fully known or calculated, and determining payees under the Program. Allows the Department to conduct audits of payees, including by obtaining relevant payee records.
Requires awarded funds to be used for agricultural production expenses and recovery of losses due to the impacts of the agricultural disaster in 2024. Requires the Department to issue guidelines and procedures to ensure that funds are expended for the purposes authorized under the Program. Directs that fund awards are subject to State and federal income tax.
Defines agricultural disaster, corn, Department, person, and program.
Provides for refund of awards by any person who received financial assistance and who either was ineligible for the assistance or who provided inaccurate information in their application. States that should a triggering event occur, the recipient forfeits the assistance awarded and that it bears interest at the statutory rate set forth in GS 105-241.21 until repaid. Provides for recoupment through a civil action by the Attorney General at the request of the Commissioner of Agriculture.
Requires the Department to submit a report to the Fiscal Research Division no later than the first of the month, six months after the Program becomes effective, and every six months thereafter until all funds are expended or the Program expires, containing, at a minimum, all of the following data:
- The number of applicants and the county in which the person incurred the verified loss.
- The number and amount of grants awarded.
- The geographic distribution of the grants awarded.
- The total amount of funding available to the Program, the total amount encumbered, and the total amount disbursed to date.
- Any refunds made to Program.
Specifies that the Program will expire 30 months after the Program becomes effective. Directs that any unexpended or unencumbered funds will revert to SERDRF.
| Intro. by B. Jones, Penny, Brisson, Cairns. | APPROP |
Repeals GS 58-65-92 (hospital or medical service plans required to cover mammograms and cervical cancer screening). Repeals GS 58-67-76 (health care maintenance organization health care plans required to cover mammograms and cervical cancer screening).
Recodifies GS 58-51-57 as GS 58-3-271. Amends GS 58-3-271 (concerning health benefit plan coverage for diagnostic, screening, and supplemental exams for breast and cervical cancer) to do the following. Defines cost sharing and high-deductible health plan and defines various diagnostic techniques for cervical and breast cancer. Requires every health benefit plan offered by an insurer that provides benefits for a diagnostic or supplemental exam for breast cancer to ensure that the cost-sharing requirements that apply to the exam are no less favorable than the cost-sharing that applies low-dose screen mammography for breast cancer. Specifies that an insurer is not required to reimburse a healthcare provider that is not a contracted provider in the provider network of a health benefit plan offered by the insurer any reimbursement rate more that the rate paid to a provider that has contracted to participate in-network for the following services: (1) diagnostic, screening, or supplemental examination for breast cancer; (2) low-dose mammography; (3) breast ultrasound; and (4) breast magnetic resonance imaging. Amends the coverage requirements for low-dose screen mammography so that it applies to all individuals, not just women. Sets out provisions governing the applicability of the statue when the application of this statute would render the insured individual ineligible for the specified health savings account. Amends GS 135-48.51 to make GS 58-3-271 applicable to the State Health Plan. Effective October 1, 2025, and applies to insurance contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.
Recodifies GS 90-701 as GS 90-705. Changes the title of Article 41 of GS Chapter 90 to Transparency in Healthcare Provider Billing Practices and adds the following new statutes. Enacts new GS 90-702, setting out applicable definitions, including defining the terms health benefit plan and healthcare provider. Enacts new GS 90-704 requiring a healthcare provider who has not contracted with an insurer to participate in-network of a health benefit plan to accept as reimbursement for any breast cancer prevention service given to an insured person the amount of reimbursement provided by that insurer, including any cost-sharing required to be paid by the patient; prohibits healthcare providers from billing an insured patient or requesting additional reimbursement from the insurer for any amount above the amount required to be accepted. Effective October 1, 2025, and applies to services provided on or after that date.
Amends GS 162A-213, concerning the timing of the collection of system development fees by local governments, to allow for system development fees to be paid in installments for new nonresidential development with a calculated increased flow rate between 325 to 2,500 gallons per day, but requires that the interest rate accrue on installments at a rate no greater than that rate established by the Secretary of Revenue for the interest that accrues on overpayments and assessments of tax on the date of connection, spread over three years or less from the time of application for a building permit or the time the application for connection for the individual unit of development to the service or facilities, whichever is first.
| Intro. by Pickett. | GS 162A |
Amends GS 105-277.1C by increasing the appraised value of a residence than can be excluded from taxation under the disabled veteran property tax homestead exclusion, from the first $45,000 to the first $54,000 of appraised value. Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2025.
| Intro. by Goodwin, Winslow, Pike, Carson Smith. | GS 105 |
Enacts Article 12I, “Retired First Responder Canine Veterinary Care Reimbursements” to GS Chapter 143, to provide a system of veterinary care reimbursement for retired first responder canines in consideration of the hazardous public service they provided to the people of this State. Defines correctional agency, covered first responder unit (any correctional agency, fire departments, or law enforcement agency), fire department, law enforcement agency, retired first responder canine, and veterinary care.
Adds new GS 143-166.94 to provide for up to $1,500 in reimbursement per year for veterinary care for a retired first responder canine provided in the State Fiscal year the application for reimbursement is submitted. Requires that the owner must seek reimbursement within 90 days of the date of the veterinary care received by the retired first responder canine. Sets out six conditions under which an application for reimbursement can be denied. Requires in new GS 143-166.92 that the covered first responder unit register the canine with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) upon its retirement and by providing DPS with the specified information so that the canine’s new owner can be eligible for reimbursement of veterinary care as specified in the act. Provides for a certification issued by DPS to be provided by the covered first responder unit to the canine’s new owner.
Creates the Retired First Responder Canine Fund (Fund) in DPS in new GS 143-166.95. Requires in new GS 143-166.93 that the new owner register the canine with DPS so that the owner can be listed by DPS as the approved Fund recipient.
Allows DPS to make necessary rules for the administration of the provisions of new Article 12I, and have the authority to use up to 1% of monies received by the Fund for the purpose of administering the Fund. Specifies that all of DPS’s decisions necessary for the administration of the Article, and its decisions, are final and conclusive and not subject to review or reversal except by the DPS Secretary or the Secretary's designee. Adds new GS 143-166.96, requiring DPS to keep records of applications received, application determinations, and all funds dispersed. Specifies that the personal identifying information (i.e., name, address, and telephone number) of a retired first responder canine’s owner is not a public record.
Adds new GS 143-166.98, specifying that the benefits provided above don’t affect other benefits for retired first responder canines and that the benefits provided above are not affected by the provision of other benefits to retired first responder canines.
Amends GS 17F-21 (disposition of retired service animals) to specify that the statute does not prevent the owner of a retired first responder canine from applying for reimbursement for veterinary care for a retired first responder canine under new Article 12I. Makes conforming change to GS 150B-1(e) (exemptions from APA’s contested case provisions) to reflect finality of DPS decisions, and GS 150B-1(d) (exemption from rulemaking).
Allows a first responder unit to register a first responder canine that retired on or after July 1, 2024 with DPS for purposes of establishing the eligibility requirements in GS 143-166.92, described above.
Appropriates $400,000 from the General Fund to the Fund in recurring funds for 2025-26 to be used in accordance with the provisions of the act.
Effective 45 days after the act becomes law.
| Intro. by Gillespie, Pyrtle, Miller, Carson Smith. | GS 143 |
Enacts new GS Chapter 114B, “Social Media Protections for Minors Act” (Act), effective March 1, 2025. Defines account holder, daily active users, Department (Department of Justice), minor (person under 16 years of age), and resident. Defines social media platform or platform as an online forum, website, or application that satisfies the four listed criteria, including that it allows users to upload content or view the content or activity of other users, that it employs algorithms that analyze user data or information to select user content, and certain additive features and meets specified user criteria. Excludes an online service, website, or application where the exclusive function is email or direct messaging consisting of text, photographs, pictures, images, or videos shared only between the sender and the recipients, without displaying or posting publicly or to other users not specifically identified as the recipients by the sender from the definition of social media platform.
Adds new GS 114B-2, outlining the following social media protections for minors. Requires social media platforms to bar minors under the age of 14 from those platforms and to only allow minors aged 14 and 15 on such platforms with parental consent. Specifies that if a social media platform allows an account holder to use the platform, the parties have entered into a contract.
For any account holders that are younger than 14, requires the platform to:
- Terminate any account upon 30 days' notice to the minor account holder. Termination must be effective upon the expiration of the 30 days if the account holder fails to effectively dispute the termination.
- Permanently delete all personal information held by the social media platform relating to the terminated account, unless there are legal requirements to maintain the information.
For any account holders that are aged 14 or 15, requires the platform to:
- Terminate any account held by an account holder if the account holder's parent or guardian has not provided consent for the minor to create or maintain the account. The social media platform must provide 30 days for an account holder to dispute the termination.
- Allow the parent or guardian of an account holder to request that the minor's account be terminated. Termination must be effective within 10 business days after the request.
- Permanently delete all personal information held by the social media platform relating to the terminated account unless there are legal requirements to maintain the information.
Provides for civil enforcement against a platform in violation of the Act as an unfair trade practice by the Department. Allows the Department to impose a civil penalty of up to $50,000 per violation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs. Allows for punitive damages if the platform’s failure to comply with the Act is a consistent pattern of knowing or reckless conduct. Provides for liability by the platform to the minor account holder for social media platforms that knowingly or recklessly violate the Act, including court costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees and up to $10,000 in damages. Provides for standing, personal jurisdiction, and statute of limitations. Specifies that the Act does not preclude any other available remedies at law or in equity. Gives the Department subpoena power in investigating violations of the Act. Provides processes for (1) a party to object to a subpoena issued by the Department; (2) out-of-State responses to a subpoena; and (3) enforcement of the subpoena by the Department in a court of law. Provides for a $5,000 weekly penalty, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs for any entity or person that fails to appear with the intent to avoid, evade, or prevent compliance in whole or in part with any investigation under the Act or who removes from any place, conceals, withholds, mutilates, alters, or destroys, or by any other means falsifies any documentary material in the possession, custody, or control of any entity or person subject to any such subpoena, or knowingly conceals any relevant information with the intent to avoid, evade, or prevent compliance. Requires that the clear proceeds of any civil penalties be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund. Allows the Department to adopt rules to implement the Act.
Adds new GS 114B-3, concerning age verification for online access to materials harmful to minors, as follows. Defines anonymous age verification, commercial entity, distribute, news-gathering organization, publish, age standard verification, and substantial portion.
Incorporates the definition of harmful to minors found in GS 14-190.13:
That quality of any material or performance that depicts sexually explicit nudity or sexual activity and that, taken as a whole, has the following characteristics:
- The average adult person applying contemporary community standards would find that the material or performance has a predominant tendency to appeal to a prurient interest of minors in sex; and
- The average adult person applying contemporary community standards would find that the depiction of sexually explicit nudity or sexual activity in the material or performance is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community concerning what is suitable for minors; and
- The material or performance lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.
Adds that the term also includes any material that the average person applying contemporary community standards would find, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest or depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct and when taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.
Directs a commercial entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes material harmful to minors on a website or application, if the website or application contains a substantial portion (more than 33.3%) of material harmful to minors, to use either anonymous age verification or standard age verification to verify that the age of a person attempting to access the material is 16 years of age or older and prevent access to the material by a person younger than 16 years of age. Requires the commercial entity to offer anonymous age verification and standard age verification. Specifies that a person attempting to access the material may select which method will be used to verify the person's age. Requires a commercial entity to ensure that the third party conducting anonymous age verification complies with four listed requirements, including not retaining personal identifying information used to verify age once the account holder’s/account applicant’s age has been verified. Deems violation of the section pertaining to age verification and third party age verification an unfair trade practice actionable solely by the Department on behalf of a resident minor against a commercial entity. Allows for a civil penalty of up to $50,000 per violation and reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs. Allows for punitive damages if the entity’s failure to comply with the Act is a consistent pattern of knowing or reckless conduct.
Clarifies that an internet service provider or its affiliates or subsidiaries, a search engine, or a cloud service provider does not violate GS 114B-2 solely for providing access or connection to or from a website or other information or content on the internet or a facility, system, or network not under the provider's control, including transmission, downloading, intermediate storage, or access software, to the extent the provider is not responsible for the creation of the content of the communication which constitutes material harmful to minors. Exempts bona fide news or public interest broadcast, website, video, report, or event and does not affect the rights of a news-gathering organization.
Sets forth the General Assembly’s intent that the Act be liberally construed. Contains severability clause for the Act.
| Intro. by Zenger, N. Jackson, Almond, Willis. | GS 114B |
Identical to S 233, filed 3/5/25.
Repeals Section 42.2 of SL 2021-180, as title indicates.
| Intro. by Morey, Butler, Price, Cervania. | UNCODIFIED |
Section 1
Sets 120-day deadline from the latest of five listed events in GS 15A-1415 for filing of postconviction motion for appropriate relief in noncapital cases (currently, noncapital defendant may seek appropriate relief at any time after verdict). Allows a defendant to file a motion for appropriate relief based on any of the grounds enumerated in GS 15A-1415 at any time if the district attorney for the prosecutorial district where the case originated consents to the filing of the motion. Makes clarifying and technical changes. Makes conforming change to GS 15-1419(a)(4). Applies to verdicts entered on or after December 1, 2025.
Section 2
Adds xylazine to the list of Schedule II controlled substances in GS 90-91, applicable to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025. Adds kratom (defined) to the list of Schedule IV controlled substances in GS 90-94, applicable to offenses committed on or after June 1, 2026.
Section 3
Enacts new GS 14-318.7 creating the following new felonies for exposing a child to a controlled substance (defined as a controlled substance, controlled substance analogue, drug, marijuana, narcotic drug, opiate, opioid, opium poppy, poppy straw, or targeted controlled substance, all defined in GS 90-87): (1) Class H felony to knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally cause or permit a child to be exposed to a controlled substance; (2) Class E felony to knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally cause or permit a child to be exposed to a controlled substance, and as a result the child ingests the controlled substance; (3) Class D felony to knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally cause or permit a child to be exposed to a controlled substance and as a result the child ingests the controlled substance, resulting in serious physical injury as defined in GS 14-318.4; (4) Class C felony to knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally cause or permit a child to be exposed to a controlled substance and as a result the child ingests the controlled substance, resulting in serious bodily injury as defined in GS 14-318.4; and (5) Class B1 felony to knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally cause or permit a child to be exposed to a controlled substance and as a result the child ingests the controlled substance, and the ingestion is the proximate cause of the death. Exempts persons who intentionally give a child a controlled substance that has been prescribed for the child by a licensed medical professional when given to the child in the prescribed amount and manner. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.
Section 4
Broadens the proceedings where recording by stenographic notes or electronic means is required under GS 7A-191 to include all criminal proceedings in district court. Requires a written transcript only if a notice of appeal has been given or either party requests and provides for the cost of transcription. (Currently, recording limited to when defendant pleads guilty or no contest in district court to a Class H or I felony.) Designates such recordings as confidential. Provides for retention of records in line with retention schedule for underlying case type by the clerk of superior court. Limits disclosure of such records to listed persons including, a person in the proceeding, the defendant, the defendant’s attorney, or the DA. Provides for a special proceeding in superior court for disclosure for good cause to all other persons. Allows a party aggrieved in such a proceeding to take an appeal.
Applies to proceedings conducted on or after December 1, 2025.
Section 5
Modifies GS 130A-385 as follows. Includes documentation prepared by an autopsy center in connection with a death under criminal investigation by a public law enforcement agency in the definition of medical examiner investigation file. Adds the investigating examiner and the autopsy center to the list of those persons that must be notified by a DA or investigating law enforcement agency when their continuing disclosure obligation has terminated.
Designates records and other documents, including tests and photographs, compiled, prepared, or conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner or other listed State and local personnel in connection with a death under criminal investigation by a public law enforcement agency or during the pendency of criminal charges associated with a death, including any autopsy photographs or video or audio recordings, as records of criminal investigations pursuant to GS 132-1.4. Directs that such records may only be disclosed or released to individuals authorized to obtain copies pursuant to GS 130A-389.1 or to the persons listed in new GS 130A-385(d1), including the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. Makes violations of GS 130A-385(d1) a Class 1 misdemeanor. Provides for a special proceeding in superior court for disclosure for good cause for all other persons. Allows a party aggrieved in such a proceeding to take an appeal.
Makes technical changes. Makes conforming changes to GS 130A-389.1 (photographs and video and audio recordings made pursuant to autopsy) and GS 132-1.8 (confidentiality of photographs and video and audio recordings made pursuant to autopsy). Effective October 1, 2025.
Section 6
Removes requirement that the DA inform the Attorney General or designee of their intent to seek immunity for a testifying witness who might assert a privilege against self-incrimination in cases necessary to the public interest before the grand jury (GS 15A-1053) and court proceedings (GS 15A-1052). Makes technical changes. Applies to applications for immunity made on or after the date the act becomes law.
Section 7
Grants standing to the DA of the prosecutorial district standing to appear and be heard in matters where the State is a party triggering the Attorney General’s duties under GS 114-2. Makes conforming change to GS 7A-61 (duties of district attorney). Applies to appeals filed on or after the act becomes law.
Section 8
Contains severability clause. Specifies that prosecutions for offenses committed before the effective date of the act are not abated or affected by the act, and the statutes that would be applicable but for the act remain applicable to those prosecutions.
Section 1
Amends GS 14-32.4 as follows. Adds a new Class H felony to GS 14-32.4 for assaulting another person by strangulation (unless the conduct is covered under some other provision providing greater punishment). Adds a definition of strangulation as, impeding the normal breathing or circulation of blood of another person by applying pressure to the throat or neck of the person or by obstructing the nose and mouth of the person. Increases the punishment for assaulting another person and inflicting physical injury by strangulation from a Class H felony to a Class G felony (unless the conduct is covered under some other provision providing greater punishment). Makes organizational changes. Makes conforming change to statutory citation is GS 143B-1023(a) to account for reorganization of GS 14-32.4.
Section 2
Clarifies that offenses under GS 14-33 (misdemeanor assaults, batteries and affrays) are not lesser included offenses of the misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (GS 14-32.5). Now includes habitual misdemeanor domestic violence under GS 14-33.2 (habitual misdemeanor assault) if the person commits a violation of GS 14-32.5 and has two or more convictions for a violation of GS 14-32.5. Expands upon the list of misdemeanors committed out of the presence of a law enforcement officer that would allow the officer to make a warrantless arrest under GS 15A-401(b) to include misdemeanor domestic violence. Adds charges under GS 14-32.5 to the list of offenses where pre-trial release must be determined by a judge under GS 15A-534.1.
Section 3
Amends GS 15A-145 (concerning expunction of records for first offenders under the age of 18 at the time of a misdemeanor conviction), GS 15A-145.1 (expunction of records for first offenders under the age of 18 at time of conviction of certain gang offenses), GS 15A-145.2 (expunction of records for first offenders not over 21 years of age at the time of the offense of certain drug offenses), GS 15A-145.3 (expunction of records for first offenders not over 21 years of age at the time of the offense of certain toxic vapor offenses), GS 15A-145.4 (expunction of records for first offenders who are under 18 years of age at the time of the commission of a nonviolent felony), GS 15A-145.6 (expunctions for certain defendants convicted of prostitution), GS 15A-145.8A (expunction of records for offenders under the age of 18 at the time of commission of certain misdemeanors and felonies upon completion of the sentence) and GS 15A-145.9 (expunctions of certain offenses committed by human trafficking victims) as follows. Prevents expunction in such cases if (1) the petitioner has outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases, is under indictment, or a finding of probable cause exists against the defendant for a felony in any federal court or state court in the United States or (2) the petitioner is free on bond or personal recognizance pending trial, appeal, or sentencing in any federal court or state court in the United States for a crime which would prohibit the person from having his or her petition for expunction under this section granted. Makes organizational changes.
Applies to petitions for expunctions filed on or after December 1, 2025.
Section 4
Requires all sentences to run consecutively unless otherwise specified by the court under GS 15A-1354 (currently, default is for sentences to run concurrently unless required by statute to run consecutively or specified as so).
Section 5
Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.
Section 1
Requires the Office of State Fire Marshal, the Residential Code and Building Code Councils (Councils), and State and local governments enforcing the North Carolina State Building Code (Code) to adhere to the following family child care home requirements until the effective date of the rules to create a family child care home occupancy classification within a dwelling subject to the North Carolina Residential Code.
Requires a family child care home that is located in a dwelling subject to the North Carolina Residential Code to be treated as a Residential Group R-3 occupancy. Requires the building to be permitted to comply with the Residential Code, provided the family child care home meets only the five additional specified requirements related to exit location, fire extinguishers, safety plans, carbon monoxide detection, and smoke alarms. Requires the Residential Code Council to adopt rules to amend the North Carolina Residential Code to create a family child care home occupancy classification within a dwelling subject to the North Carolina Residential Code that is consistent with these provisions. Requires the Building Code Council to adopt rules to amend the North Carolina State Building Code volumes, as specified, to make conforming changes consistent with the rules adopted by the Residential Code Council. Specifies that the rules are not subject to Part 3 of Article 2A of GS Chapter 150B and that the rules will become effective as provided in GS 150B-21.3(b1), as though 10 or more written objections had been received.
Section 2
Requires, until the effective date of the rules to create a family child care home occupancy classification within a dwelling subject to the North Carolina Building Code, that the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Councils, and State and local governments enforcing the Code adhere to family child care home requirements as provided below.
Treats a family child care home located within a dwelling subject to the North Carolina Building Code as a Residential Group R-3 occupancy. Allows the dwelling where the family child care home is located to comply with the North Carolina Building Code, so long as the family child care home meets only the five specified additional requirements related to exit location, fire extinguishers, safety plans, carbon monoxide detection, and smoke alarms. Requires the Building Code Council to adopt rules to amend the specified North Carolina State Building Code volumes to create a family child care home occupancy classification within a dwelling subject to the North Carolina Building Code that is consistent with these requirements. Require the Residential Code Council to adopt rules to amend the North Carolina Residential Code to make conforming changes consistent with the rules adopted by the Building Code Council. Specifies that the rules are not subject to Part 3 of Article 2A of GS Chapter 150B and that the rules will become effective as provided in GS 150B-21.3(b1), as though 10 or more written objections had been received.
Section 3
Requires, until the effective date of the rules to create a family child care home occupancy classification within a dwelling subject to the State of North Carolina Regulations for Manufactured Homes, that the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Councils, and State and local governments enforcing the Code adhere to family child care home requirements as provided below.
Treats a family child care home located within a dwelling subject to the State of North Carolina Regulations for Manufactured Homes as a Residential Group R-3 occupancy. Allows the dwelling to comply with the North Carolina Regulations for Manufactured Homes, so long as the family child care home meets only the five specified additional requirements related to exit location, fire extinguishers, safety plans, carbon monoxide detection, and smoke alarms. Requires the Building Code Council to adopt rules to amend the specified North Carolina State Building Code volumes to create a family child care home occupancy classification within a dwelling subject to the North Carolina Regulations for Manufactured Homes that is consistent with these requirements. Requires the Residential Code Council to adopt rules to amend the North Carolina Residential Code to make conforming changes consistent with the rules adopted by the Building Code Council. Specifies that the rules are not subject to Part 3 of Article 2A of GS Chapter 150B and that the rules will become effective as provided in GS 150B-21.3(b1), as though 10 or more written objections had been received.
Section 4
Amends GS 110-86, by amending the definition of child care facility by requiring that a family child care home be located in an operator-occupied private dwelling (was, in a residence).
Amends GS 110-91, concerning standards to be met for a child care facility license, by making conforming and technical changes. Also refers to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, instead of the Department of Insurance, as the entity responsible for establishing requirements related to fire prevention and safe evacuation, as well as for the related annual inspection.
| Intro. by Arp, Lambeth, Paré, Rhyne. | GS 110 |
Subject to approval by the voters at the 2026 general election, amends Article I of the North Carolina Constitution by adding a new Sec. 39 to prohibit the taking by eminent domain of private property except for a public use only. Directs that just compensation be paid to the private property owner and provides that either party may request that the amount of just compensation be determined by a jury. Provides for method of voting pursuant to GS Chapter 163. Provides that if the majority of votes are in favor of the amendment, the State Board of Elections is to certify the amendment to the Secretary of State and the amendment will become effective upon certification and apply to takings of private property by eminent domain after the certification date.
Amends GS 40A-3(a), (b), and (b1) to restrict private condemnors and local public condemnors to exercising the power of eminent domain for a public use only (was, for a public use or benefit). Amends the list of private condemnors permitted to exercise the power of eminent domain to also include corporations, bodies politic, or persons exercising eminent domain for communication facilities (previously, specified telegraphs and telephones), facilities related to the distribution of natural gas, and pipelines or mains for the transportation of natural gas (was, gas). Makes additional clarifying changes.
Also amends subsection (c) to limit takings by political entities (other public condemnors) to the exercise of eminent domain for public use only (was, public use or benefit).
Enacts a new subsection (d) to GS 40A-3 to provide that private condemnors, local public condemnors, and other public condemnors in subsections (a), (b), (b1), and (c) of this statute, for the public use, have the power of eminent domain and may acquire any property for the connection of any customer(s) via purchase, gift, or condemnation.
Changes to GS 40A-3 are effective when the act becomes law, applying to takings occurring on or after that date.
Appropriates $231,000 for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for a directed grant to Gibson to be used in the specified amounts for a generator at main lift station, a portable generator, left station rehabilitation, new water meters, ditch work, and vehicles. Effective July 1, 2025.
Appropriates $80 million from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for 2025-26 to provide a directed grant to Madison County as title indicates. Effective July 1, 2025.
Appropriates $88,395,000 for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management, for a directed grant to Madison County to be used in specified amounts for 16 purposes throughout the County. Effective July 1, 2025.
Identical to S 113, filed 2/17/25.
Enacts new Article 8, concerning the expedited removal of unauthorized persons from residential property in GS Chapter 42. Adds new GS 42-80, allowing a property owner or authorized agent to request from the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over where the residential property is located the removal of an unauthorized person unlawfully occupying that property if all of the following are met: (1) the requesting party is the property owner or the authorized representative of the property owner, (2) the property that is being occupied is a residential property or property used in connection with or appurtenant to residential property, (3) an unauthorized person has entered the property after the property owner acquired the property and is remaining or residing unlawfully on the residential property of the property owner, (4) the property was not offered or intended as an accommodation for the general public at the time the unauthorized person entered, (5) the property owner or the authorized representative of the property owner has directed the unauthorized person to leave the residential property, (6) the unauthorized person is not a tenant, (7) there is no pending litigation between the property owner and the unauthorized person related to the residential property, (8) no other valid rental agreement or contract for deed has been entered into or formed by the property owner or former owner and the unauthorized person permitting them to occupy the residential property, and (9) no rent or other form of payment has ever been demanded of or paid by the unauthorized person to the property owner or their authorized representative in connection with the occupancy of the residential property. Defines unauthorized person as a person or persons occupying residential property who has no legal claim to the property, is not entitled to occupy it under a valid rental agreement or contract for deed signed by the property owner or their authorized representative, has not paid any rent or other form of payment to the owner or their authorized representative in connection with the occupancy of the property, and is not otherwise authorized to occupy the property. It does not mean a tenant who holds over after the lease term has expired under GS 42-26.
Provides for an expedited removal affidavit under new GS 42-81. Requires, to require the immediate removal of an unauthorized person, that the property owner or their authorized representative, appear before the clerk of superior court (or magistrate if court is closed) where the property is located and complete a sworn affidavit on a form that is to be created by the Administrative Office of the Courts in consultation with the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association and the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police by September 30, 2025. Requires payment of a $25 fee. Sets out nine things that must be alleged in the affidavit, including the unauthorized person has been directed by the property owner or the authorized representative of the property owner to leave the property, but the unauthorized person remains on the property; the unauthorized person is not a tenant pursuant to any valid lease authorized by the property owner; and the property owner has never demanded nor received rent or other form of payment directly from the unauthorized person in connection with the occupancy of the residential property. Requires the affidavit to include a notice that providing false information or statements on the affidavit is perjury and punishable as a Class F felony and that any person removed from the property as a result of the affidavit may have a cause of action against the affiant for any false information or statements on the affidavit or for wrongfully using these procedures.
Specifies removal of unauthorized persons by the law enforcement agency in new GS 42-82, as follows. Gives the law enforcement agency 24 hours after receiving the affidavit to remove the unauthorized person. Gives the law enforcement agency the power to arrest persons for trespass, outstanding warrants, or other legal cause. Allows the property owner or their authorized representative to request law enforcement to stay while the owner changes locks and removes the unauthorized person's property. Indemnifies the law enforcement agency, officer, clerk of superior court, or magistrate and property owner or their authorized representative from liability.
Provides for a remedy for wrongful removal including possession of the property and recovery of actual costs and damages incurred, statutory damages equal to triple the fair market rent of the residence, a civil penalty of $400-$4,000, court costs, and reasonable attorneys' fees under new GS 42-84. Specifies that new Article 8 doesn’t limit the rights of a property owner or limit the authority of a law enforcement officer to arrest an unauthorized person or persons for trespassing, vandalism, theft, or other crimes.
Effective October 1, 2025.
| Intro. by Cunningham. | GS 42 |
Adds the offense of knowingly and wrongfully entering any area of a building (1) commonly reserved for personnel of a commercial business where money or other property is kept or (2) clearly marked with a sign that indicates to the public that entry is forbidden to GS 14-54 (breaking or entering buildings). Designates first offense as a Class 1 misdemeanor and subsequent offenses a Class I felony.
Adds new offense pertaining to larceny of gift cards (GS 14-72.12) if a person does any of the following:
- Acquires or retains possession of a gift card or gift card redemption information without the consent of the cardholder or card issuer.
- Obtains a gift card or gift card redemption information from a cardholder or card issuer by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises.
- Alters or tampers with a gift card or its packaging with intent to defraud another.
Sets violation of GS 14-72.72 as a Class H felony unless the value of the gift card is $1,000 or less, then violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Adds defined terms gift card, gift card issuer, gift card value, and gift card redemption information to GS 14-86.5. Makes organizational changes.
Adds the following acts to the offense of organized retail theft under GS 14-86.6:
- Conspiring with another person to acquire or retain possession of a gift card or gift card redemption information without the consent of the cardholder or card issuer.
- Devising a scheme with one or more persons to obtain a gift card or gift card redemption information from a cardholder or card issuer by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises.
- Conspiring with another person to alter or tamper with a gift card or its packaging with intent to defraud another.
Makes conforming changes to listed punishments and multiple theft provisions of GS 14-86.6(a2), with punishment varying from a Class H to Class C felony based on the value of the gift card, to account for new gift card offenses under GS 14-86.6.
Specifies that prosecutions for offenses committed before the act’s effective date are not abated or affected by the act, and the statutes that would be applicable but for the act remain applicable to those prosecutions.
Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.
| Intro. by Pyrtle, Miller, Carson Smith, Reives. | GS 14 |
Part I.
Reenacts GS 105-151.11 (Credit for child care and certain employment-related expenses) as it existed immediately before its expiration on January 1, 2014. Recodifies the statute as GS 105-153.12. Provides for a tax credit for employment-related expenses incurred by a taxpayer based on the taxpayer's filing status, adjusted gross income, and qualifying dependent(s)'s status, with the applicable percentage changing depending on the dependent's age. Makes current percentage category A applicable with respect to dependents age 18 up to 25 (was, seven or older); current category B applicable with respect to dependents age 12 up to 18; new percentage category C applicable with respect to dependents age 6 up to 12; and new percentage category D (was, percentage category B) applicable to any other qualifying individual. Percentages range from 5.5% to 13% (was, 7% to 13%). Caps the amount of employment-related expenses for which a credit can be claimed at $3,000 for taxpayers with a household that includes one qualifying individual, and $6,000 for taxpayers with a household that includes more than one qualifying individual. Updates statutory references concerning calculations for nonresidents and part-time residents. Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.
Part II.
Appropriates $200 million in recurring funds for 2023-25 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, for the North Carolina Prekindgergarten Program to expand the number of slots by 32,000.
Part III.
Appropriates $35 million in recurring funds for 2023-25 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, to increase funding for subsidized child care.
Part IV.
Amends GS 115C-263 to require public school units to have a school food authority to provide school nutrition services in the schools under their jurisdiction by offering students free lunch (was, local boards of education must provide to the extent practicable school nutrition services in the schools under their jurisdiction). Adds that a school food authority may offer students a free breakfast option, unless the student is eligible for the School Breakfast Program. Requires the State Board of Education, to the extent funds are available for this purpose, to allocate funds to school food authorities at public school units to provide students free healthy lunches. Requires, in issuing the allocation, that the amount be determined based on an evaluation of the authority’s nutrition services (sets out minimum requirements for the method and criteria used for the evaluation), that funds be distributed on a fair and equitable basis, and the allocation be issued at the beginning of the fiscal year, with the Board allowed to reserve for future allocation an amount not to exceed 10%. Specifies that funds allocated under this statute supplement and do not supplant funds from other sources for the same purpose.
Amends GS 115C-218.75 by requiring charter schools, GS 115C-238.72 by requiring regional schools, GS 115C-150.14 by requiring schools for students with visual and hearing impairments, and GS 116-239.8 requiring laboratory schools, to provide school nutrition services according to GS 115C-263 and GS 115C-263 (setting out requirements for school nutrition programs, including that they participate in the National School Lunch Program). Makes conforming changes.
Appropriates $115 million in recurring funds for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction to provide free lunch to public school students. Allows the use of funds appropriated to State Aid for Public Schools for this purpose if this funding is insufficient for 2025-26.
Appropriates $3,166,600 for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for 2025-26 to satisfy outstanding school nutrition program debt. Requires the use of funds appropriated to State Aid for Public Schools for this purpose if this funding is insufficient for 2025-26.
Gives the State Board of Education authority to adopt temporary rules to enact this section until permanent rules are adopted.
Part V.
Appropriates $10 million for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office to be allocated in accordance with this section among each community colleges with an active child care program that is available to the public to support and maintain that program. Requires the State Board of Community Colleges (State Board) to adopt a formula for allocating the funds. Requires funds to be allocated based on the number of children served and prioritizes awards based on the program's financial need. Funds remain available until expended.
Requires community colleges that do not have a publicly available child care program to report to the State Board on the feasibility and advisability of implementing a program. Requires the State Board to report the information to the specified NCGA committee by March 31, 2026.
Part VI.
Requires the Department of Public Instruction, in consultation with partner agencies (Department of Health and Human Services, UNC Board of Governors, and the State Board), to report to the specified NCGA committee by December 31, 2026, on the feasibility and advisability of implementing a child care apprenticeship program in public high schools. Specifies information to be included in the report. Requires the NCGA committee to meet by February 28, 2027, to receive a presentation from the Department on the report.
Part VII.
Unless otherwise indicated, effective July 1, 2025.
Amends GS 162-62 by expanding upon the offenses for which the person in charge of a county jail, local confinement facility, district confinement facility, satellite jail, or work release unit must attempt to determine if the prisoner is a legal resident of the United States to also include when a person is charged with: (1) a felony under the following Articles of GS Chapter 14: Article 14 (burglary and housebreakings), Article 16 (larceny), Article 16A (organized retail theft), Article 17 (robbery), Article 18 (embezzlement), Article 19 (false pretenses and cheats), Article 19A (obtaining property by false or fraudulent use of credit device or other means), Article 19B (financial transaction card crime act), Article 19C (identify theft), Article 20 (frauds), Article 20A (Residential Mortgage Fraud Act), and Article 21 (forgery); and (2) any offense involving impaired driving. Amends the conditions that must be met when a person charged with a criminal offense is confined in such a facility and the person in charge of the facility has been notified that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a detainer and administrative warrant for the person as follows: (1) amends the timing of the release to be the earlier of the passage of 48 hours from the time the prisoner would otherwise be released from the facility (was, 48 hours from receipt of the detainer and administrative warrant), when ICE takes custody, or when the detainer is rescinded by ICE and (2) adds that for a prisoner who is held under such an order, within two hours of the time when the prisoner would otherwise be released from the facility, the person in charge of the facility must notify ICE of the date and time that the prisoner will be released. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.
Includes a severability clause.
| Intro. by D. Hall, Carson Smith, B. Jones, Echevarria. | GS 162 |
The Daily Bulletin: 2025-03-05
Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following change. Modifies the definition of nursing services in new GS 115C-111.2(b) so that those services are limited to those provided by nurses licensed in line with Article 9A of GS Chapter 90.
| Intro. by Sawyer, Overcash. | GS 115C |
Senate amendment makes the following changes to the 1st edition. Removes the whereas clauses. States that the Senate confirms Joey R. Hopkins as Secretary of the Department of Transportation. Makes conforming changes to the act's long title.
| Intro. by Rabon. | UNCODIFIED |
Identical to S135, filed 2/24/25.
Starting for the tax year that begins on July 1, 2025, increases the base amount of the income eligibility limit under the elderly or disabled property tax homestead exclusion (GS 105-277.1) from $25,000 to $48,000. Makes conforming change.
| Intro. by Ford. | GS 105 |
Amends GS 143-64.01 to specify that the State Surplus Property Agency (Agency) within the Department of Administration (Department) is the designee for State surplus property. (Currently just refers to the Department.) Amends the definitions in GS 143-64.02 (pertaining to state surplus property) as follows. Amends the definition of agency to specifically include a unit of the executive branch, Council of State, UNC, and State Board of Community Colleges. Changes the term "State-owned" to "State-owned property" and expands it to also include inventory, farm products, goods, and consumer goods in the State possession, as well as personal property seized or acquired by the State; specifically excludes real property. Amends the definition of surplus property to now mean State-owned property that is obsolete, unused, or no longer needed by a State agency. Authorizes the General Assembly and the Judicial Department to sell or otherwise dispose of State-owned or surplus property within their possession and control.
Enacts new GS 143-64.03A authorizing third-party auctions, auction procedures, and reporting, as follows.
Permits an agency to utilize a third-party auction service by submitting a petition to the Agency for approval. Sets forth approval process, including grounds to disapprove the application. Allows for appeal of Agency determination to the Secretary of Administration (Secretary) if agency revokes an authorization because a ground for disapproval has been found. Specifies that once a petition has been approved, the agency is authorized to use the third-party service unless the approval is revoked. Sets forth processes relating to valuation, registration of property by third-party auction service, the actual auction, and disposal of unsold items. Requires agency record keeping of certain information pertaining to items sold through third-party auction services and items that were disposed of for three years. Requires that each agency utilizing a third-party auction service submit an annual report to the specified NCGA committee by January 1 of each year to include the following: (1) a listing of the third-party auction services used to sell surplus items, (2) total funds received by sales through each auction service, (3) total funds distributed to each agency, and (4) total funds distributed to the Department. Requires the Agency to submit an annual report to the specified NCGA committee by January 1 of each year to include information on the number of petitions submitted, denied, and any appeals.
Makes technical and conforming changes to GS 143-64.03 (powers and duties of the Agency), GS 143-64.04 (powers of the Secretary to delegate authority), and GS 143-64.05 (service charges). Specifies that the Agency may not assess or charge any fee or service charge to an agency using a third-party auction service.
| Intro. by McInnis, Sawyer, Settle. | GS 143 |
Directs the State Board of Community Colleges to calculate the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students required for the main campus of Central Carolina Community College in Harnett and Chatham counties to maintain each campus’s multicampus center status by combining the total number of FTE at each campus’s main campus with the total FTE at each campus’s health science center.
| Intro. by Burgin, Murdock. | UNCODIFIED |
Repeals Section 42.2 of SL 2021-180, as title indicates.
| Intro. by Grafstein, Applewhite, Murdock. | UNCODIFIED |
Appropriates $690,000 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for 2025-26 to provide a directed grant to the City of Greenville as title indicates. Effective July 1, 2025.
Appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for 2025-26 to provide a directed grant to the Town of Macclesfield as title indicates.
Effective July 1, 2025.
Appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for 2025-26 to provide a directed grant to Edgecombe Community College as title indicates.
Effective July 1, 2025.
| Intro. by Smith. | APPROP |
Appropriates $55,000 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for 2025-26 to provide a directed grant to Citizens Advocating for Racial Equity and Equality (CAREE) as title indicates.
Effective July 1, 2025.
Appropriates $530,000 in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for 2025-26 fiscal year to be allocated to Edgecombe County Public Schools to be used to provide at least one full-time, permanent school nurse in each public school in Edgecombe County.
Appropriates $1.675 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for 2025-26 to be allocated to Pitt County Schools to be used to provide at least one full-time, permanent school nurse in each public school in Pitt County.
Provides that these funds are to supplement and not supplant any funds from any source already provided for the same purposes.
Effective July 1, 2025.
Contains whereas clauses. Directs the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits (DHB) to increase the rate for services provided by direct support professionals (DSP) to Medicaid recipients under the North Carolina Innovations waiver, with the goal of increasing the hourly wages paid by providers to DSPs by $5.00 per hour for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. Requires providers receiving the rate increase to use at least 90% of the funding that results from the rate increase to pay higher wages to their DSP workforce. The wage increase should be in addition to the pay rate the DSP was receiving as of June 30, 2025. The rate increase is effective on the date the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approve the increase, but no sooner than July 1, 2025.
Also requires DHB to adjust the per member per month capitation amounts paid to local management entities/managed care organizations (LME/MCO) to reflect the same rate increases. Requires that all providers employing DSPs verify to DHB or the relevant LME/MCO that at least 90% of the funding from the rate increase is being used to increase DSP pay. DHB is required to set standards for documentation to be required as verification and LME/MCOs must use the same standards.
Permits DHB to recoup part or all of the funds related to the rate increase if a provider does not use at least 90% of the funding to pay DSPs.
Requires LME/MCOs to report on a quarterly basis during the 2025-26 biennium regarding provider development efforts and provider rate increases to the specified NCGA committee.
Appropriates $115,370,000 to DHB from the General Fund in recurring funds for 2025-26 and $230,780,000 for 2026-27 for the rate increases. These funds are a state match for federal funds of $210,730,00 for 2025-26 and $421,520,000 for 2026-27, and the federal funds are also appropriated to DHB for this purpose.
| Intro. by Grafstein, Moffitt. | APPROP |
Establishes the North Carolina Strategic Training And Reliable Skills Grant Program (NCSTARS) for the 2026-27 through 2028-29 academic years to provide matching grants to community colleges that partner with nearby public school units and local business partners to develop a regional, work-based learning program to provide opportunities to learn and reinforce key skills for postsecondary opportunities, including apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, to students age 16 and older that are eligible for work-based learning according to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Tasks the Community College Systems Office (Office) with creating a grant application to be made available to community colleges no later than 60 days after the act becomes law. Sets application deadline. Requires the Office to consult with Surry-Yadkin Works when determining which community colleges receive NCSTARS grants. Prioritizes the selection of applicants whose applications include the establishment of programs substantially similar to the Fostering Learning through Education, Employment, and Trades (FLEET) program operated by Surry-Yadkin Works. Sets forth six required components of the grant application.
Caps grants to participating community colleges at $500,000 for each year of NCSTARS. Requires the Office to provide matching funds of every $3 for every $1 of local funding contributed. Lists the following permissible uses of grant funds: (1) stipends for students; (2) travel expenses for students; (3) staff salaries and benefits; and (4) other expenses incurred in the course of participating in NCSTARS. Requires Surry-Yadkin Works to provide ongoing technical assistance to all participating community colleges.
Requires the Office to provide an initial report to the specified NCGA committee on six listed matters pertaining to NCSTARS by April 1, 2026, with a final report due on five listed matters, including legislative recommendations, by August 1, 2029.
Appropriates $4.75 million from the General Fund to the Office for 2025-26 to provide NCSTARS grants. Specifies that the funds do not revert but remain available until the end of the 2028-29 fiscal year. Requires that of those funds, up to $200,000 be made available to Surry-Yadkin Works for technical assistance and up to $50,000 be made available to the Office for administrative support. Effective July 1, 2025.
| Intro. by Settle, Craven, Johnson. | APPROP |
Identical to S 197, filed 2/27/25.
Appropriates $3.5 million for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Department of Transportation, Division of Aviation (Division), to be allocated to Forsyth County to renovate the Smith Reynolds Airport Maintenance Repair and Overhaul hangar. Specifies how the funds must be used. Requires the Division to report quarterly on the use of the funds to the specified NCGA committee and division. Effective July 1, 2025.
Repeals SL 2023-124, Section 27.7(d), which had repealed GS 120-133 (which made all drafting and information requests to legislative employees and documents prepared by NCGA employees for legislations on redistricting public record upon the act establishing the relevant district plan becoming law; also specified that present and former legislative employees may be required to disclose otherwise protected information concerning redistricting upon the act establishing the relevant district plan becoming law).
| Intro. by Everitt, Meyer. | UNCODIFIED |
Requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to study the cost and potential economic benefits of a commuter rail service linking dense population centers in the North Carolina Piedmont Triad; requires the study to incorporate population and development growth projections through the year 2050. Sets out six issues that must be considered as a part of the study, including daily ridership estimates and projected annual operation costs.
Requires DOT to report to the specified NCGA committee and division by December 29, 2025, on the study and any recommendations for planning and construction of a commuter rail service in the Piedmont Triad.
Allows $100,000 of the funds appropriated from the Highway Fund to DOT for 2025-26 to be used for the study.
Effective July 1, 2025, and expires December 29, 2025.
Amends GS 14-288.2 (pertaining to riots and incitement to riot) by enacting new subsection (c3) making it a Class F felony to willfully engage in a riot if, during the course of a riot, a person attempts to overthrow the government of the United States, the State of North Carolina, or any political subdivision thereof. Enacts new subsection (e2) making it a class F felony for any person who willfully incites or urges another to engage in a riot, and such inciting or urging is a contributing cause of a riot in which a person attempts to overthrow the government of the United States, the State of North Carolina, or any political subdivision thereof. Effective December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
| Intro. by Everitt, Garrett. | GS 14 |
Names the act the “Rakim Shackleford Embalming Fluid Act.” Makes technical changes to GS 90-210.20 (pertaining to definitions related to the practice of funeral services) and sets forth a definition of embalming fluid.
Enacts GS 90-210.29C making it a criminal offense punishable as a Class I felony for a funeral director, embalmer, or resident trainee to knowingly give, sell, permit to be sold, offer for sale, or display for sale, other than for purposes within the general scope of their activities as a funeral director, embalmer, or resident trainee, embalming fluid to another person with actual knowledge that the person is not a funeral director, embalmer, or resident trainee. Requires imposition of fines of not less than $100 or more than $500 for a violation.
Enacts GS 90-113.107, under new Article 5H (Miscellaneous Drug-Related Regulations), making it a criminal offense to (1) possess embalming fluid for any purpose other than the lawful preservation of dead human bodies by a person authorized by law to engage in such activity or the lawful preservation of wildlife by a person licensed in taxidermy pursuant to GS 113-273(k) or (2) sell, deliver, or otherwise distribute embalming fluid to another person with knowledge that the person intends to utilize the embalming fluid for any purpose other than the lawful preservation of dead human bodies by a person authorized by law to engage in such activity or the lawful preservation of wildlife by a person licensed in taxidermy pursuant to GS 113-273(k). Specifies felony classifications from Class I to Class D based on the amount of embalming fluid involved in the offense. Specifies that the statute should not be construed as prohibiting possession by, or selling, delivering, or otherwise distributing to, funeral directors, embalmers, resident trainees or licensed taxidermists of embalming fluid for the purposes of embalming. Incorporates definitions of embalmer, embalming, embalming fluid, funeral director, and resident trainee from GS 90-210.20 into new section GS 90-113.107.
Amends GS 90-96.2 (pertaining to limited immunity for good samaritans and overdose victims under the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act) to allow for immunity for violations of GS 90-113.107 involving less than 28 grams and that is punishable as a Class I felony.
Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.
| Intro. by B. Newton, Lazzara, Brinson. | GS 90 |
Includes whereas clauses.
Appropriates $134 million in recurring funds for 2025-26 and $357,340 in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits (DHB), to increase the number of North Carolina Innovation Waiver slots, as required by this act. Specifies that these funds are for a state match.
Requires DHB to amend the North Carolina Innovations Waiver to increase the number of waiver slots available under the waiver for 2025-26 year by 5,000; sets out how these waiver slots are to be distributed and requires that they be made available October 1, 2025, unless the method of acceptance or rejection of waiver slots requires approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Provides that if CMS approval is required, then any waiver slots that are rejected under the act’s procedure must be made available upon the later of October 1, 2025, or the date that CMS grants or denies approval of the rejection and acceptance procedure. Provides that if CMS approval is required and CMS does not approve the rejection and acceptance procedure, then any rejected waiver slots remain distributed using the allocation formula currently in place as of the act’s effective date.
Requires DHB to distribute the 5,000 waiver slots using the allocation formula currently in place as of the effective date of this act, so long as the slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis based on how long an individual has been on the waiting list. Requires each LME/MCO to elect, within 30 days of receiving the offer of the waiver slot, whether any of the slots. Requires any waiver slots that are not accepted by an LME/MCO to be distributed equally among the LME/MCOs that attest that: (1) the LME/MCO ensures that all rates paid to providers for any services provided to beneficiaries receiving those services through the Innovations Waiver are sufficient to pay its direct care employees a minimum wage of $20/hour; and (2) the ability and capacity to provide services to the beneficiaries that will receive the additional waiver slots exists within the LME/MCO's catchment area.
Requires DHB to amend the North Carolina Innovations Waiver to increase the number of waiver slots available under the waiver for the 2026-27 fiscal year by 5,000. Requires the slots to be distributed using the allocation formula currently in place as of the effective date of this act; provided all waiver slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis determined by the length of time an individual has been on the waiting list. Requires these waiver slots to be made available July 1, 2026.
Effective July 1, 2025.
| Intro. by Grafstein, Moffitt. | APPROP |
Part I.
Repeals Section 9H.11 of SL 2023-134 (pertaining to the Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship) effective July 1, 2025.
Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health (Division), in the sum of $6.25 million in recurring funds for the 2025-26 and $6.25 million in recurring funds in 2026-27 to support the expansion of evidence-based programs and services administered by DHHS that support maternal and infant health.
Part II.
Requires the State Auditor, by March 1, 2026, to conduct a financial statement audit of Carolina Pregnancy Fellowship, a nonprofit, and report the results to the specified NCGA committee and division.
Part III.
Adds new GS 131E-269.5 (reporting requirements for crisis pregnancy centers [CPP’s]) requiring CPP’s that are a recipient or subrecipient of any amount of State financial assistance to submit a report to DHHS and the specified NCGA committee within 60 days after the end of the fiscal that the CPP received assistance. Lists eleven required components of the report, including: an explanation of all services provided at the center and what services were most frequently sought at the center, broken down by location if the center conducts business or provides services at more than one location; an explanation of whether the center enrolls women in any public benefits programs or connects women to other services and, if so, identification of which programs and services; the nature of information provided to clients or potential clients at the center and an explanation of whether the center has operational manuals, handbooks, or guidelines related to the provision of services to clients; and a description of any health or other information the center collects from women accessing the services of the center, how the center stores and uses medical and other client records, and whether the medical records are in compliance with federal and State law governing medical privacy. Defines CPP, fiscal year, state financial assistance, and state funds. Applies to any CPP that receives State financial assistance on or after July 1, 2025.
The Daily Bulletin: 2025-03-05
Under current law, GS 115C-84.2(d) sets the parameters within which local boards of education must determine the opening and closing dates of public schools under subdivision (a)(1) of this statute. Amends GS 115C-84.2(d) to provide the local boards of education for the Gaston County Schools with additional flexibility in adopting their school calendars by removing those specified opening and closing dates. Applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
Changes the method of election to the Jackson County Board of Education (Board) under Section 5(a) of SL 2024-14 from the nonpartisan plurality method to partisan election under GS 163-291 as member terms expire. Directs that Board members are to be nominated at the same time and in the same manner as other county officers. Directs members to serve until their successors are elected and qualified. Specifies that all members take office on the first Monday in December after the election.
Requires vacancies to be filled using the process set forth in GS 115C-37.1. Makes conforming change to GS 115C-37.1 to reflect its applicability to Jackson County. Modifies Section 5 of SL 2024-14 (concerning elections for the Board) so that the section is effective the first Monday in December 2025 (was, first Monday in December of 2026) applies to 2025 elections and beyond (was, 2026 elections and beyond).
Applies to elections held on or after December 1, 2025.
| Intro. by Clampitt. | Jackson |
Amends Section 1 of SL 1987-193, as amended, so that the members of the Pitt County Board of Education (Board) are elected on a partisan basis under GS 163-291 at the time of the general election in even-numbered years as terms expire. Directs that Board members are to be nominated at the same time and in the same manner as other county officers. Directs members to serve until their successors are elected and qualified. Specifies that all members take office on the first Monday in December after the election. Requires the elections to be conducted in accordance with GS Chapters 115C and 163 unless otherwise provided.
Amends Section 6 to require vacancies to be filled using the process set forth in GS 115C-37.1 (was, by appointment by the remaining members of the Board). Clarifies that the act does not affect the term of office of any Board member elected or appointed to fill a vacancy in 2022 or 2024. Specifies that any Board vacancy for a member elected in 2022 or 2024 should be filled by appointment by the remaining Board members.
Makes conforming change to GS 115C-37.1 to reflect its applicability to Pitt County. Effective December 1, 2026.
Allows the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education to have a school in the Iredell-Statesville School Administrative Unit that operates as a Trades High School (School), serving students in grades 10-12, operating under GS Chapter 115C, that focuses on Career and Technical Education. Exempts the School from Part 1 (courses of study) and Part 1D (high school graduation) of Article 8 of GS Chapter 115C. Sets out requirements for the employment of teachers and administrators, including requiring that at least 50% of the teachers hold teacher licenses. Requires the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education to develop criteria for an alternative Trades Diploma, as described, which requires students to obtain at least 22 credits. Requires the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education to submit a list of requirements for obtaining a diploma to the State Board of Education before the start of the first school year in which they intend to offer the Trade Diplomas. Applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
| Intro. by McNeely, Setzer, Carver. | UNCODIFIED, Iredell |
Allows a qualifying municipality [a municipality in Guilford County that does not levy ad valorem taxes and does not receive a distribution under GS 105-472(b)(2) (distribution of tax proceeds from the local sales and use tax using the ad valorem distribution method] to receive distributions of net proceeds during in year in which the Guilford County Board of Commissioners (Board) chooses the ad valorem distribution method. Defines net proceeds as the produce of a qualifying municipality’s per capita distribution multiplied by 25%. In order to be effective, requires the council of the qualifying municipality to adopt a resolution indicating its intent to receive net proceeds in accordance with this act and deliver a certified copy of the resolution to the Secretary in Raleigh. The resolution remains effective until (1) the municipality no longer meets the criteria of a qualifying municipality, or (2) the Board choses the per capita distribution method, after which time the municipality must adopt and submit a new resolution. Reduces the net proceeds of the tax distributed to the County and its municipalities by the amount of the net proceeds distributed to qualified municipalities under this act. Specifies that ad valorem taxes levied by any service or fire district located within a qualifying municipality does not prohibit that municipality from receiving net proceeds under this act.
| Intro. by Blust. | UNCODIFIED, Guilford |
Authorizes Blowing Rock, Boone, Watauga County, and the Watauga County Board of Education (local government unit) to: (1) separately or through a partnership, joint venture, land trust, or similar entity, construct and provide affordable housing for local government unit employees on property owned by the unit; (2) convey property owned by the local government unit to a partnership, joint venture, land trust, or similar entity for constructing, providing, or maintaining affordable housing for unit employees (prohibits conveying property acquired through the exercise of eminent domain on or after the date this act becomes law; (3) contract to finance, construct, or maintain affordable housing for local government unit employees; and (4) rent or sell affordable housing units for residential use exclusively to local government unit employees. Allows a unit to establish reasonable rents or sales prices, charge below-market rates, offer below-market financing, and place reasonable restrictions and buyback provisions on the resale of housing units. Specifies that these units must comply with all applicable building codes, zoning ordinances, and regulations related to the construction of residential homes.
| Intro. by Pickett. | UNCODIFIED, Watauga |
Amends GS 160D-601(d), as amended by Section 3K.1 of SL 2024-57, as follows. Allows down-zoning amendments to be initiated by a local government without the written consent of all property owners whose property is the subject of the amendment. Removes prohibition on enacting such amendments without the written consent of the property owners whose property owners are subject to the amendment, but specifies that such amendments cannot be initiated or enforced without such written consent. Narrows the list of what is considered down-zoning under the statute by removing a zoning ordinance that affects an area of land by creating any type of nonconformity on land not in a residential zoning district, including a nonconforming use, nonconforming lot, nonconforming structure, nonconforming improvement, or nonconforming site element. Applicable only to High Point. Effective when the act becomes law and applies retroactively to December 11, 2024. Directs that any adopted ordinance affected by Section 3K.1 of SL 2024-57 will be in effect as it was on or before December 11, 2024.
The Daily Bulletin: 2025-03-05
Actions on Bills: 2025-03-05
H 2: ENTRY FEES FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS EVENTS. (NEW)
H 34: ESTABLISH LARCENY OF MAIL OFFENSE.
H 42: BURGLARY & B&E/SENTENCE ENHANCEMENT.
H 47: DISASTER RECOVERY ACT OF 2025 - PART I.
H 74: HOUSE BUDGET TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
H 92: NC DIGITAL ASSETS INVESTMENTS ACT.
H 198: AMEND LAW ON NOTICE OF ABC VIOLATION.
H 267: EXPUNGING CERTAIN EVICTION RECORDS.
H 268: 2025 UNC SELF-LIQUIDATING CAPITAL PROJECTS.
H 269: WORKFORCE FREEDOM AND PROTECTION ACT.
H 270: REVISE LAW ON THE DEATH PENALTY.
H 272: THE SERGEANT MICKEY HUTCHINSON ACT.
H 273: CREATE/FUND BRUSHY MTNS. STATE NATURAL AREA.
H 274: FOSTER CARE SERVICES/FUNDS.
H 275: FAILURE TO YIELD PENALTIES. (NEW)
H 276: ALIGN BENEFITS FOR FIREFIGHTERS WITH CANCER.
H 278: PROTECT MILITARY VOTES.
H 280: SUPPORT FOR THE SENIOR TAR HEEL LEGISLATURE.
H 282: STI FUNDING/BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN IMPROV.
H 283: SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT GRANT PROGRAM.
H 293: MARINE LIFE STEWARDSHIP ACT.
H 295: REQ. DOT TO INSTALL PROP. CORNER MARKERS.
H 296: CORN FARMER RECOVERY ACT - PHASE I.
H 297: BREAST CANCER PREVENTION IMAGING PARITY.
H 298: LOCAL GOV'TS/SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT FEES.
H 299: INCREASE DISABLED VETERAN PROP TAX BENEFIT.
H 300: VET CARE FOR RETIRED FIRST RESPONDER DOGS.
H 301: SOCIAL MEDIA PROTECTIONS FOR MINORS UNDER 16.
H 303: MAKE CORPORATIONS PAY WHAT THEY OWE.
H 307: VARIOUS CRIMINAL LAW REVISIONS.
H 308: CRIMINAL LAW CHANGES.
H 309: BLDG. CODE FAM. CHILD CARE HOME CLASS.
H 310: EMINENT DOMAIN.
H 311: FUNDS FOR THE TOWN OF GIBSON.
H 312: FUNDS/MADISON COUNTY COURTHOUSE RELOCATION.
H 313: FUNDS FOR MADISON COUNTY/HURRICANE HELENE.
H 314: REMOVAL OF SQUATTERS FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY.
H 315: GIFT CARD THEFT & UNLAWFUL BUSINESS ENTRY.
H 316: CHILD CARE ACT.
H 318: THE CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIEN ENFORCEMENT ACT.
S 55: STUDENT USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES.
S 58: AG/RESTRICT CHALLENGE TO PRESIDENTIAL EOS.
S 77: SCHOOL CONTRACTED HEALTH SERVICES.
S 125: REORGANIZATION OF CHAPTER 115D.
S 133: NCCCS LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
S 150: CONFIRM JOEY HOPKINS/SEC. OF DOT.
S 153: NORTH CAROLINA BORDER PROTECTION ACT.
S 223: EXPAND ACADEMIC TRANS. PATHWAYS/SOPHOMORE HS.
S 227: ELIMINATING "DEI" IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.
S 228: DISABLED VETERANS TAX RELIEF BILL.
S 229: AUTHORIZE NIL AGENCY CONTRACTS.
S 230: EXPAND HOMESTEAD EXCLUSION INC. ELIG. LIMIT.
S 231: STATE SURPLUS PROPERTY/THIRD-PARTY AUCTIONS.
S 232: CENTRAL CAROLINA CC/CHATHAM CAMPUS MCC STATUS.
S 233: MAKE CORPORATIONS PAY WHAT THEY OWE.
S 234: FUNDS FOR GREENVILLE FIRE TRUCK.
S 235: FUNDS FOR TOWN OF MACCLESFIELD EQUIPMENT.
S 236: FUNDS FOR EDGECOMBE CC.
S 237: FUNDS FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING IN PITT COUNTY.
S 238: EDGECOMBE AND PITT COUNTY SCHOOL NURSES.
S 239: RAISE DSP PAY TO $25 PER HOUR.
S 240: ESTABLISH NCSTARS GRANT PROGRAM.
S 241: FUNDS FOR SMITH REYNOLDS AIRPORT MRO HANGAR.
S 242: H.A.L.L. ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.
S 243: COMMUTER RAIL STUDY/PIEDMONT TRIAD.
S 244: JANUARY 6 RIOT/ATTEMPT OVERTHROW OF GOV'T.
S 245: THE RAKIM SHACKLEFORD EMBALMING FLUID ACT.
S 246: CREATE 13,000 JOBS SERVING PEOPLE WITH I/DD.
S 247: REDIRECT CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER FUNDS.
Actions on Bills: 2025-03-05
H 3: SIMPSON ELECTION CHANGES - EVEN YEARS.
H 6: PAMLICO CO. MUNI. EVEN-YR ELECT. (NEW)
H 17: EXTEND TERM OF MAYOR/TOWN OF MADISON.
H 32: CHINA GROVE EVEN YEAR ELECTIONS.
H 58: VARIOUS LOCAL ELECTIONS. (NEW)
H 271: PARTISAN ELECTIONS/MUNI./CABARRUS CO.
H 277: SCHCALFLEX/JOHNSTON/AUG 10 & ASSMNTS.
H 279: FILLING VACANCIES/HAYWOOD COUNTY BD. OF COMM.
H 281: RESTORE DOWN-ZONING/MULTIPLE MUNICIPALITIES.
H 292: SCHCALFLEX/GASTON/OPEN CAL.
H 294: JACKSON CO BD OF ED ELECTION PARTISAN.
H 302: PITT CO. BD. OF ED. ELECT. PARTISAN.
H 304: ALLOW FLEX. FOR TRADES HS IN IREDELL CO.
H 305: GUILFORD COUNTY SALES TAX DISTRIBUTION MODS.
H 306: AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOCAL EMPLOYEES.
H 317: RESTORE DOWN-ZONING AUTH./CITY OF HIGH POINT.
S 149: HENDERSON COUNTY/BLUE RIDGE CC CONSTRUCTION.
S 174: RUTHERFORD CTY/ISOTHERMAL CC CONSTRUCTION.
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