House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.
Amends GS 53C-6-21 as follows. Also makes it illegal for a bank to restrict its service to an agriculture producer based, in whole or in part, upon the agriculture producer's greenhouse gas emissions, use of fossil-fuel derived fertilizer, or use of fossil-fuel powered machinery. Provides that if a bank has any (was, has made any) ESG commitment related to agriculture, there is a rebuttable presumption that the bank's denial, restriction, or cancelation (was, denial or restriction) of a service to an agriculture producer violates this statute. Changes the standard to a preponderance of the evidence (was, demonstrating through clear and convincing evidence) to overcome this presumption. Removes the requirement to submit an annual report and makes conforming changes to new GS 54-109.23. No longer makes violations of the statute an unfair or deceptive trade practice. Amends the definition of agricultural producer to no longer require that the person’s engagement in the growing of crops or livestock production be for retail consumption. Amends the definition of ESG commitment so that it is a bank's decision either to join an initiative or organization that has a purpose of promoting any environmental, social, or political goal (was, governance goal), or a bank's ongoing commitment to any environmental, social, or political goal (was, governance goal). Makes conforming changes.
The Daily Bulletin: 2025-03-12
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The Daily Bulletin: 2025-03-12
Amends GS 130A-157 to exempt a child and parent from immunization requirements in GS Chapter 130A when the parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis of a child has reasons of conscience that are contrary to the immunization requirements. Allows a person to attend a college, university, school, or facility without presenting a certificate of immunization upon submission of a written statement of the reasons of conscience and opposition to the immunization requirements.
Amends GS 130A-155 by amending the content of the reports that public schools and child care facilities must file with the Department of Health and Human Services by requiring a disclosure of the number of children who received a conscientious objection exemption to the required immunizations.
Amends GS 130A-155.1 by amending the content of the reports that colleges and universities must file with the Department of Health and Human Services, by requiring a disclosure of the number of children who received a conscientious objection exemption to the required immunizations.
Amends GS 115C-76.25 to give parents the right, concerning their child’s education, to seek a conscientious objection exemption from immunization requirements for their child.
Applies to public schools beginning with the 2026-27 school year and to colleges and universities located in this state beginning with the 2026-27 academic year.
Amends GS 130A-343 by amending one of the ways in which a manufacturer of a wastewater system for on‑site subsurface use may apply and be considered for innovative system status to now provide that if the wastewater system has not been evaluated or approved as a provisional system, but has been approved (was, evaluated) under protocol established by a nationally recognized certification body (was, by a nationally recognized certification body for at least two consecutive years) has been found to perform acceptably based on the criteria of the protocol, and is designed and will be installed in a manner consistent with the system evaluated and approved by the nationally recognized certification body, the manufacturer may apply to have the system approved as an innovative wastewater system. Adds the requirement that the Department of Health and Human Services approve the application and issue an innovative wastewater system approval in accordance with rules adopted by the Commission for Public Health upon verifying (1) the nationally recognized certification body's approval and (2) that the design and installation plans are consistent with that approval.
| Intro. by Warren, Huneycutt, Gillespie, Zenger. | GS 130A |
Requires the Wildlife Resources Commission (Commission) to issue one resident Elk Permit by raffle and one Elk Permit by auction, for the 2026 hunting season. Requires any elk taken to be reported and presented to Commission staff. Prohibits transferring, selling, or reassigning the permits. Sets out the procedures for the raffle, including setting the ticket price at $20 or a maximum of 30 raffle tickets for $500. Allows the Commission to retain from the proceeds the actual costs of administering the raffle, up to $25,000, and requires the remaining funds to be deposited in the Wildlife Resources Fund for the conservation and management of elk. Requires the Commission to select one nonprofit wildlife conservation organization that has been involved in the reintroduction of elk into North Carolina to conduct the auction for one Elk Permit. Allows the organization to retain up to 25% of the auction proceeds and for the remaining proceeds to be deposited in the Wildlife Resources Fund for the conservation and management of elk. Allows the Commission, for hunting seasons after the 2026 season, based on its evaluation of its elk management goals, to raffle off one or more Elk Permits and select one nonprofit wildlife conservation organization to conduct an auction for one Elk Permit. Requires for those future hunting seasons that the Commission: (1) conduct an Elk Permit raffle for one or more Elk Permits if it conducts an Elk Permit auction and (2) reserve 50% of all Elk Permits made available via raffle for NC residents. States the NCGA’s intent that receipts generated by the activities authorized by this act supplement, rather than replace, other funds budgeted for management of elk. Requires the Commission to report by March 1, 2027, and every year thereafter in which the Commission conducts Elk Permit raffles and auctions, to the specified NCGA committees and division on the effectiveness of the auction and raffle programs, including the amount of money raised, recommendations as to whether to continue the programs, and, if so, legislative recommendations to improve the programs.
Amends GS 113-129(7c) by adding elk to the definition of game animals.
Amends GS 113-291.8 by requiring both elk and deer hunters to wear hunter orange in a manner that is visible from all directions. Removes outdated language.
| Intro. by Huneycutt, Bell, Gillespie, Turner. | GS 113 |
Amends GS 22C-1 by adding that the purpose of GS Chapter 22C is to increase protections applicable to payments to subcontractors, including declaring clauses of contracts attempting to shift the risk of failure to pay to another by making payment to the other contingent on receipt of payment, such as a pay if paid clause or a pay when paid clause, against the public policy of the State and unenforceable. Makes organizational changes.
Amends GS 22C-3 by adding that when a subcontractor has performed in accordance with the provisions of his contract, unless required earlier under the statute, the contractor is required to pay his subcontractor and each subcontractor must pay his subcontractor, within 30 days of receipt of billing from the payee to the payor, the full amount billed for such subcontractor's work and materials based on work completed or service provided. Voids a contractual provision postponing payment for more than 30 days after performance in accordance with the provisions of the contract and billing.
Amends GS 22C-5 by making conforming changes. Also requires that interest on late payments begin on the first day (was, eighth day) after the maximum time period.
| Intro. by Lowery. | GS 22C |
Adds the total federal basic pay received by an enlisted State resident who is a member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard and holds the rank of E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, or E-5 as a deduction to an individual taxpayer's adjusted gross income under GS 105-153.5. Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.
| Intro. by Loftis, Schietzelt, Gable, Campbell. | GS 105 |
Repeals Section 2 of SL 2024-31, modifying GS 14-313, the offense of youth access to tobacco products to also include alternative nicotine products and new certification requirements for vapor products and consumable products. Abates prosecutions for violations charged under the amended GS 14-313 before the enactment of this act and directs that charges be dismissed without leave. Applies retroactively to December 1, 2024.
| Intro. by Bell. | GS 14 |
Assesses an additional fee of $6.25 for passenger vehicles required to register under GS 20-87 (passenger vehicle registration fees). Directs the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles (Commissioner) to transfer those funds to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to pay State Highway Patrol Salaries along with other funds appropriated for that purpose. Includes the additional fee as one that should be quadrennially adjusted for inflation under GS 20-4.02. Makes a technical change. Applies to vehicle registrations issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.
Appropriates $40.4 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Reserve for Compensation Increases to provide pay raises for the State Highway Patrol for each year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium as described below. Sets an annual salary schedule based on the officer's respective work experience for law enforcement officers of the State Highway Patrol, compensated pursuant to an experience-based salary schedule for the 2025-27 fiscal biennium ranging from $56,000 for those with 0 years of experience and $105,000 for those with 8 years or more of experience. Seta an annual salary schedule based on the officer's rank for employees of the State Highway Patrol, compensated pursuant to a rank-based salary schedule for the 2025-26 fiscal biennium ranging from $120,750 for a Sergeant to $224,612 for a Colonel. Effective July 1, 2025.
Amends GS 105-153.5 to allow a deduction from gross income when calculating North Carolina taxable income the amount received during the taxable year from one or more of the following: (1) a North Carolina State government retirement plan; (2) a North Carolina local government retirement plan, or (3) a federal government retirement plan not included within subdivision (5a), concerning specified federal retirement payments (was, from one or more State, local, or federal government retirement plans to the extent the amount is exempt from tax under a court order in settlement of one of the three specified cases). Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
| Intro. by Schietzelt, Huneycutt. | GS 105 |
Identical to S 267, filed 3/11/25.
Section 1
Allow corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of its officers (defined) arising out of an action for monetary damages for breach of duty in claims by or in the right of the corporation in its bylaws under GS 55-2-02. Specifies that such a provision can't be effective with respect to any claim by or in the right of the corporation. Makes technical and conforming changes.
Section 2
Removes provision directing that emergency bylaws are subject to amendment or repeal by corporate shareholders from GS 55-2-07 (emergency bylaws). Allows the bylaws to include provisions that become effective only during an emergency if they are adopted in advance of the emergency (was, the board of directors may adopt bylaws to be effective only in an emergency). Makes technical and clarifying changes.
Rescinds the power of a corporation’s board of directors to modify lines of succession to accommodate the incapacity of a director, officer, employee or agent and to relocate its offices or designate other offices during an emergency under GS 55-3-03 (emergency powers). During an emergency (i.e., because of some catastrophic event, it is impracticable to convene a meeting of shareholders in accordance with GS Chapter 55 or the bylaws or as specified in a notice previously given for the meeting) authorizes the board of directors to postpone a shareholder meeting or allow for remote participation upon the described notice. Makes technical and clarifying changes.
Section 3
Enacts GS 55-2-08, authorizing that any or all internal corporate claims (defined) to be brought exclusively in any specified court or courts of this State and, if so specified, in any additional courts in this State or in any other jurisdictions with which the corporation has a reasonable relationship. Clarifies that such clauses cannot confer jurisdiction, prevent bringing an internal action in the courts of the State, nor can they require such claims to be determined by arbitration. Repeals GS 55-7-50 (concerning exclusive forum or venue provisions).
Section 4
Amends GS 55-6-04 (concerning fractional shares as follows). Allows corporations to issue fractions of a share or, in lieu of doing so, to (1) pay cash in the value of such shares; (2) dispose of the fractional shares and pay the proceeds to the holders of those shares (currently, no mention of payment and disposition is by shareholders); and (3) issue scrip in certified or uncertified form (currently, registered or bearer form), as described. Prevents scrip being issued in bearer form. Provides for transfer of written information within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of scrip without certificates. Modifies the listed rights of a holder of a fractional share to include receiving distribution upon liquidation (was, to participate in the assets of a corporation upon liquidation). Makes technical changes.
Prevents share certificates from being issued in bearer form in GS 55-6-25. Makes clarifying and technical changes.
Section 5
Makes clarifying change to defined term derivative proceedings in GS 55-7-41. Details further requirements for the contents of a written demand in a derivative proceeding under GS 55-7-41 (demand). Makes technical changes.
Amends GS 55-7-44 (dismissal of derivative proceedings) as follows. Now allows the court to dismiss the action if a determination is made either before or after commencement of the proceeding that maintenance of the derivative proceeding is not in the corporation’s best interest (currently, statute is silent as to the timing of the best interest determination). Changes the composition of the panel appointed by the court to make a best interest determination, at the corporation’s request, to one or more individuals appointed by the court (currently, one or more independent individuals). Allows the court on its own motion or on the motion of any party to order that any motion to dismiss be made within a specified reasonable time. Makes technical, clarifying, conforming and organizational changes.
Expands the authorized expenses for a corporation prevailing in a derivative action to include payment to the corporation incurred in responding to the demand in GS 55-7-46. Makes clarifying and technical changes.
Section 6
Remove bar on allowing corporation’s committees to amend articles of incorporation under GS 55-8-25. Makes technical change.
Section 7
Repeals GS 55-11-04(f) (instructing that the provisions of GS 55-13-02(b) [limiting certain appraisal rights] do not apply to subsidiary corporations that are parties to mergers consummated under the statute).
Expands the conditions under which certain parent unincorporated entities may merge with certain subsidiary corporations as described in GS 55-11-12, to require that the parent approves, in the manner required by laws of the state or country governing the organization and internal affairs of the parent, a written plan of merger containing all of the provisions required by GS 55-11-10(c). No longer requires that the articles of merger delivered to the Secretary of State for filing contain (1) the merger’s terms and conditions or (2) the manner and basis of converting the interests in each merging business entity into interests, obligations, or securities of the surviving business entity, or into cash or other property in whole or in part, or of cancelling the interests. Now requires delivery of a statement that the plan of merger has been approved by each merging business entity in the manner required by law as part of the delivery. Removes reference to board resolution in the provisions pertaining to delivery of certain information by a surviving domestic corporation. Removes provision directing that the provisions of the articles of merger may be made dependent on facts objectively ascertainable outside the articles of merger if the articles of merger set forth the manner in which the facts will operate upon the affected provisions, as described. Instead, directs that GS 55-11-10(c1) and (c2) (pertaining to mergers with unincorporated entities) apply.
Section 8
Directs the Revisor of Statutes to cause to be printed, as annotations to GS Chapter 55, all relevant portions of the Official Comments to the Model Business Corporation Act and all explanatory comments of the drafters of the act as the Revisor may deem appropriate.
Effective October 1, 2025, unless otherwise provided.
| Intro. by Stevens. | GS 55 |
Directs the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC), in collaboration with the Community Colleges System Office (Office) to develop and implement a two-year pilot program that expands the childcare workforce academies (Academies or Academy) that are currently operating in Johnston and Wayne Counties across the State. Directs the Johnston and Wayne county local partnerships to participate in the pilot program. Tasks NCPC and the Office with selecting ten additional local partnerships to participate in the pilot program from the four local partnership regions of the statewide NCPC network: West, Mid-West, Mid-East, and East.
Specifies that the Academies provide free, comprehensive training and support to individuals, with no experience or education in childcare, who are interested in pursuing a career in childcare. Instructs the Office and local community colleges to coordinate to ensure that Academy graduates meet all the requirements to be credentialed with the NC Early Childhood Credential as lead teachers in childcare in this State. Provides for Academy enrollment minimums and hours of operation. Directs that the Academy be offered free of charge to enrollees, and that participants receive the knowledge, skills, and training, including the necessary health screenings, background checks, and fingerprinting, required for employment as a lead teacher at a State childcare facility. Instructs participating community colleges to offer the Academy up to three times a year, with one offering occurring at the end of the traditional public school calendar to allow participation by interested high school and college students. Allows for one-time stipends to graduates of not less than $150 by local partnerships. Specifies that graduates are eligible to receive an additional one-time $500 stipend after a year of employment as a lead teacher. Provides for collaboration between the NCPC, its local partnerships, and community college(s) where those partnerships are located, as practicable, to implement the Academy and ensure that information about the Academy in the county is made available to the public.
Appropriates $738,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education for each year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium to be allocated to NCPC to provide the State match for implementing the pilot program in the amounts described. Directs that the funding be allocated equally among the local partnerships selected to participate in the pilot program. Requires documentation of a 25% local match by the local partnerships as a condition for receiving State funds. Instructs that any unexpended and unencumbered funds at the end of each fiscal year from the funds provided under this section do not revert to the General Fund but remain available for use in accordance with the act. Prohibits funds from being used for administrative costs.
Requires NCPC, in collaboration with the local partnerships and community colleges participating in the pilot program, to submit a progress report detailing any concerns or recommendations for program expansion to the named NCGA committee and the Fiscal Research Division by March 31, 2026. Provides for a final report due by December 31, 2026, covering at least nine specified areas including the local partnerships community colleges participating in the pilot program, the number of students enrolled in each academy by county, the rate of completion by county, and the outcomes achieved from the pilot program.
Effective July 1, 2025.
Establishes standards for surgical smoke evacuation in hospitals (new GS 131E-78.4) and ambulatory surgical facilities (new GS 131E-147.2). Requires licensed hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities to adopt and implement policies that require the use of smoke evacuation/filtering systems during any surgical procedure likely to generate surgical smoke. Defines smoke evacuation/filtering system and surgical smoke. Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to take adverse action for violations. Effective January 1, 2026.
| Intro. by Cunningham, White, Blackwell, Reeder. | GS 131E |
Contains whereas clauses. Appropriates $2.178 million in recurring funds for the 2025-26 year and $4.542 million in recurring funds for the 2026-27 year to increase the number of full-time Adult Protective Services (APS) workers by 25 for each year, totaling 50 in all. Distributes funds to county departments of social services based on needs as determined by the Department of Social Services (DSS). Directs DSS to consult with the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services and to consider the four listed factors in determining which counties have the greatest need, including the number of persons aged 65 or older residing in the county, the volume of reports related to adult abuse, neglect and exploitation in the county, and the number of APS workers required to adequately assess and evaluate the APS cases in the county. Prevents county recipients from: (1) using the funds for any other purpose than to pay for salaries, benefits, and related expenses associated with the additional APS workers or (2) supplanting any other source of funding for staff. Effective July 1, 2025.
| Intro. by Price, Buansi. | APPROP |
The Daily Bulletin: 2025-03-12
Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Makes technical changes to the following: (1) the definition of rule(s) or rule(s) of the Commission in GS 90B-21; GS 90B-23 (Social worker participation in the Compact); and GS 90B-29 (Establishment of Social Work Licensure Compact Commission).
Updates the entity authorized to fill vacancies on the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission (Commission) under GS 90B-29 from the “member state board” to the “member state licensing authority.” Makes conforming change. Changes the entity from “Commission” to the executive committee of the Commission whose powers and duties are described in GS 90B-29(d)(6) (concerning the Commission’s executive committee). Now directs challenges to rule revisions under GS 90B-31 (Commission rulemaking) be delivered to the Commission instead of the chair of the Commission.
Changes the act’s effective date to October 1, 2025 (was, effective when at least seven states have enacted the Compact and required the NC Social Work Certification and Licensure Board to report to the Revisor of Statues when the Compact has been enacted by seven member states).
| Intro. by Corbin, Hise, Burgin. | GS 90B |
Adds terms tangible net worth and working capital to the definitions provisions of the NC Professional Employer Organization Act (Act) under GS 58-89A-5. Modifies the term audited GAAP financial statement so it is just referred to as an audited financial statement.
Broadens the entities that may be licensed as professional employer organization groups under GS 58-89A-35 to include persons (currently, limited to professional employer organizations) that are controlled by the same parent, entity or persons. Allows such groups to satisfy their reporting and financial requirements on a consolidated or combined basis (currently, just consolidated). Clarifies that the conditions pertaining to financial obligations must be met before the group is considered a professional employer organization group. Makes technical changes.
Expands persons required to file an additional surety bond under the described conditions set forth in GS 58-89A-50 to include licensees. Makes clarifying and conforming changes.
Repeals GS 58-89A-60(g) (listing certain conditions pertaining to the controlling person upon which the Insurance Commissioner [Commissioner] may deny licensure to an applicant under the Act).
Amends GS 58-89A-60 (licensure applications), as amended by the act, as follows. Expands required information pertaining to applicant managers to be submitted to the Commissioner to now include listing of directors, the educational background of all listed persons and their management and business experience. Removes requirement that Commissioner engage in rulemaking to require additional information beyond the statute, but specifies that any additional information required must be reasonable. Extends the date for completion of the applicant's audited financial statement to be submitted to the Commissioner to one that has been prepared no more than 120 days before the date of the application (currently, 90 days before the date of the application). Requires an applicant to have a tangible net worth of at least $50,000. Makes technical, conforming, and clarifying changes. Removes requirement that the audited financial statement be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and then audited by an independent CPA as described. Now, just requires preparation of the audited financial statement by an independent CPA as described. Provides for additional documentation that must be submitted with an applicant’s combined or consolidated audited financial statement.
Allows applicants that do not have at least 12 months of operating history to meet the financial requirements by filing with the Commissioner financial statements that have been reviewed by an independent CPA and prepared not later than 90 days before the date of the application (currently, not requirement for such applicants to use an independent CPA or 90-day timeframe). Authorizes the Commissioner to accept the audited financial statement of the applicant’s parent company if the submitted information allows the Commissioner to determine the financial condition and financial responsibility of the applicant. Authorizes the Commissioner to accept the audited financial statement of an applicant's parent company and consider the financial condition and financial responsibility of the parent in lieu of the applicant if three listed conditions are met, including that the information in the audited financial statement and other documents meet the statutory requirements and enable the Commissioner to determine the financial condition and financial responsibility of the parent and the applicant. Expands persons required to submit to fingerprinting and a criminal background check to include changes in officers, directors, and other controlling persons of professional employer organization groups licensed under the Act (currently, change to a controlling party of a professional employer organization).
Lists six circumstances under which the Commissioner may deny licensure, including that a controlling person of the applicant has been convicted of a felony, that the applicant has not provided evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner of financial responsibility, and that the applicant is not current with respect to all of its obligations for payroll, payroll-related taxes, workers' compensation insurance, and employee benefits and the applicant has failed to satisfy the Commissioner as to the reasons why. Removes provision authorizing denial of an application for any reason for which a license may be suspended or terminated under GS 58-89A-155. Makes conforming and technical changes.
Repeal subsections (a1), (c1), and (c2) of GS 58-89A-65.
Expands persons required to annually certify compliance with the licensure requirements of the Act in GS 58-89A-70 to include officers and directors of the licensee. Modifies the evidence of financial responsibility that must be included with each licensee’s annual filing with the Commissioner so that it now means an audited financial statement of the licensee or its parent company if allowed by the Commissioner on a form as described. Adds requirement for annual submission of an attestation, executed by the chief financial officer and the chief executive officer of the licensee, that the licensee is current with respect to all of its obligations for payroll, payroll-related taxes, workers' compensation insurance, and employee benefits, as described. Limits other information required by the Commission to reasonable information. Makes technical changes.
Now also requires that an applicant for de minimis registration as a limited professional employer under GS 58-89A-75 not be domiciled in the State. Clarifies the ways an applicant can advertise other than through any media outlet physically located in the State. No longer accepts persons only registered as professional employer organization in another State as eligible for de minimis registration. Makes organizational changes.
Applies to applications for licensure issuance or renewal submitted on or after the act becomes law.
| Intro. by Johnson, Britt, Settle. | GS 58 |
Makes the following changes to Article 48 (concerning the Postassessment Insurance Guaranty Association [Association]) of GS Chapter 58.
Clarifies, in GS 58-48-10 (scope of Article), that coverages like warranties or service contracts that are set forth in a cybersecurity insurance policy are covered by the Article. Clarifies that the defined term covered claim includes claim obligations that arose through the issuance of an insurance policy by a member insurer, which are later allocated, transferred, merged into, novated, assumed by, or otherwise made the sole responsibility of a member or nonmember insurer if the four described conditions are met. Adds defined term cybersecurity insurance.
Modifies the Association’s powers/duties under GS 58-48-35 as follows. Limits the Association’s obligations to $500,000 in paying all first and third-party claims under a policy or endorsement providing cybersecurity insurance coverage arising out of a single insured event, as described. Removes Association’s right to review settlements and other described documents to determine the extent to which those documents may be properly contested as part of its authority to pay and deny covered claims. Authorizes the Association to: (1) appoint, substitute, and direct legal counsel for the defense of covered claims and appoint and direct other service providers for covered services and (2) establish priority of payment. Grants the Association the right to review and contest settlements, releases, compromises, waivers, and judgments to which the insolvent insurer or its insureds were parties prior to the entry of the order of liquidation, subject to the four described conditions.
Modifies the net worth requirement under GS 58-48-50 (effect of paid claims) so that the Association can only recover the described covered claim against an insured whose net worth exceeds $50 million in the year before the insured becomes insolvent so long as the insured’s net worth on that date is deemed to include the aggregate net worth of the insured and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates as calculated on a consolidated basis.
Removes provisions pertaining to reopening of default provisions under GS 58-48-65, and makes conforming changes to statute's title.
| Intro. by Johnson, Britt, Settle. | GS 58 |
Identical to H 347, filed 3/10/25.
Amends GS 58-57-100 prohibiting automobile physical damage insurance from including: (1) coverage for the cost of repossession; (2) skip, confiscation, and conversion coverage (defined as insurance which provides coverage when a borrower has sold, traded, or disposed of the collateral, or the borrower and the collateral cannot be found); (3) coverage that requires a borrower's insurance deductible to be less than $250; or (4) coverage that is broader than the insurance coverages that meets the specified minimum insurance requirements. Specifies that this does not prohibit issuing a separate policy or endorsement providing these listed coverages, so long as the charges for those coverages is not passed along to the borrower.
| Intro. by Johnson, Britt, Settle. | GS 58 |
Identical to H 356, filed 3/10/25.
Repeals GS 58-63-16 (listing permitted trade practices under the unfair trade practices act pertaining to the business of insurance) and makes conforming change by repealing GS 58-63-15(8)b.4.
Increases the exemptions from GS 58-63-15(7) (unfair discrimination in the business of insurance) and GS 58-63-15(8) (certain rebates that constitute unfair trade practices in the business of insurance) to include:
- Engaging in an arrangement that would violate section 106 of the federal Bank Holding Company as interpreted by the board of the Federal Reserve or Section 5(g) of the federal Home Owners’ Loan Act;
- The offer or provision by insurers or producers, by or through employees, affiliates, or third-party representatives, of value-added products or services at no or reduced cost when such products or services are not specified in the policy of insurance if all of the four described conditions are met, including that the product relates to insurance coverage and is primarily designed to satisfy one of nine listed needs (hereinafter, the insurance coverage product), that the insurance coverage product is offered at a reasonable cost in comparison to the customer’s premiums or insurance coverage for the policy class and that the insurance coverage product is not offered in a manner that is unfairly discriminatory.
- The offer or provision of the insurance coverage products where the insurer or producer does not have sufficient evidence to demonstrate but has a good-faith belief that the products or service satisfies one or more of the nine listed needs referenced above, will be offered or provided in a manner that is not unfairly discriminatory as part of a pilot or testing program for no more than one year. Requires the insurance provider to notify the Department of Insurance (DOI) of such testing programs and may proceed unless DOI objects within 21days of such notice.
- The offer or giving by an insurer or producer of noncash gifts, items, or services, including meals to or charitable donations on behalf of a customer, if all of the four described criteria are met.
- The conducting of drawings or raffles by an insurer or producer to the extent permitted by law so long as the five listed criteria are met.
Prevents an insurer, producer, or representative of either from offering or providing insurance as an inducement to the purchase of another policy or otherwise use the words "free," "no cost," or words of similar import, in an advertisement making it an unfair method of competition and unfair and deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance. Clarifies that GS 58-63-15 does not preclude the trade practices allowed under the section. Makes conforming changes to GS 58-33-85 (rebates and charges in excess of premium prohibited and exceptions). Applies to trade practices related to insurance contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after the act becomes law.
| Intro. by Johnson, Britt, Settle. | GS 58 |
Amends GS 58-33-10 to define exchange business, exchange of business, or proper exchange of business as the forwarding of insurance business from one producer duly licensed for the line of insurance being forwarded to another producer duly licensed for that line of insurance where both producers are appointed with an insurer that can accommodate the risk under conditions favorable to the insured.
Amends GS 58-33-82 by expanding upon the circumstances under which commissions, fees, or other valuable consideration for the sale, solicitation, or negotiation of insurance may be assigned or directed to be paid, to also include: (1) to an agency principal who is an owner, shareholder, member, partner, director, employee, or agent of that agency for business placed by a producer on behalf of that agency who is duly licensed and appointed and (2) in connection with the exchange of business where both producers are duly licensed with appropriate company appointments and have complied with all of the requirements of new GS 58-33-82.1.
Enacts new GS 58-33-82.1 allowing producers to exchange business, and split the commission, if the producer forwarding the business and the producer receiving the business both: (1) are licensed in all lines of insurance involved in the exchange, (2) sign the insurer's insurance application or are otherwise disclosed to the insurer and the consumer, and (3) have a good-faith belief that the exchange of business complies with this Article's requirements. Specifies that this does not limit: (1) the exchange of business among specialty lines, nonstandard and professional liability business placed through a surplus lines producer or written on an excess rate or other individually rated risk basis and (2) the exchange of business in connection with risk-sharing plans.
| Intro. by Corbin, Johnson. | GS 58 |
Creates new GS 110-101.2 (Lifeguard requirements for day camps), which governs mandatory requirements for lifeguard supervision of school-age children swimming at day camps. Establishes definitions for the section, including “day camp.” Requires a day camp offering aquatic activities to employ a lifeguard with a current training certificate from the Red Cross or a lifeguard training determined to be equivalent to Red Cross training by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Establishes a requirement for two lifeguards for the first 25 children swimming, then another lifeguard for every additional 15 children or portion thereof. Requires a mandatory swim test in a public swimming pool before aquatic activities begin, and if a child fails the test, they must be fitted with a life jacket while engaging in activities. Prohibits participation in aquatic activities held in hot tubs, spas, saunas or steam rooms, portable wading pools, or other unfiltered, nondisinfected containments of water. Requires DHHS to establish policies necessary to implement the section similar to rules or policies implemented for licensed summer day camps.
Effective on June 1, 2026.
| Intro. by Johnson, Chitlik. | GS 110 |
Repeals GS 14-177 (designating crimes against nature, with mankind or beast, as a Class I felony). Enacts GS 14-363.4, creating the separate offense of bestiality, as described, as a Class I felony. Replaces references to GS 14-177 with new GS 14-363.4 in GS 115C-270.35(b) (automatic revocation of an educator license upon conviction of certain offenses) and GS 7B-101(1)d (definition of abused juvenile in the dependency statutes). Removes reference to GS 14-177 as one of the statutory exceptions to the defined term racketeering activity under GS 75D-3 (State RICO definitions provisions). Effective December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
Amends GS 19A-23 to now define boarding kennel, as used in Article 3, the Animal Welfare Act, so that it now means means a facility or establishment which regularly offers to the public the service of boarding six or more (current law does not specify how many) of any combination of dogs or cats for a fee. Makes technical changes.
Requires the Board of Agriculture to amend its rules for boarding kennels consistent with the provisions above and allows for the adoption of temporary rules following the specified APA procedures.
Effective October 1, 2025.
| Intro. by Grafstein. | GS 19A |
Declares the that the act's intent is to study potential improvements to the residual property market mechanisms established in Articles 45 (Essential Property Insurance for Beach Area Property) and 46 (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) of GS Chapter 58 in response to the increased challenges presented by the significant insured losses caused by natural disasters. Directs the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA) and the Joint Underwriting Association (Association) to jointly study the feasibility of the following: (1) NCIUA establishing an excess property coverage (defined) option for insureds and (2) the issuance of post-event catastrophe bonds (defined) as an option to provide for covered losses caused by a named storm, in excess of NCIUA's or the Association's capacity to pay claims. Requires NICUA and the Association to report the study's findings, including recommendations for legislation to the named NCGA committees by March 1, 2026.
| Intro. by Johnson, Hanig, Brinson. | STUDY |
Appropriates $750,000 for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors to be allocated to UNC-Chapel Hill for the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers Program (NC AHEC), which must use the funds to improve recruitment, training, and retention of medical students and medical professionals in rural areas of North Carolina by (1) regularly convening all area health education centers and other relevant stakeholders to share information and establish best practices and (2) establishing a statewide, publicly accessible database of the information shared and established. Effective July 1, 2025.
| Intro. by Grafstein. | APPROP |
Enacts new GS 115C-375.25 requiring the governing body of each public school unit to develop a cardiac emergency response plan (CERP), to be reviewed and updated annually, addressing the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents of sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds. Requires the CERP to integrate evidence-based core elements and contain five specified core elements: (1) establish a cardiac emergency response team; (2) describe how the response team will be activated in response to a cardiac emergency; (3) identify the school staff to be trained on CPR and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), to include at least school nurses and faculty with supervisory responsibility over students in any athletic situation; (4) annual practice drills for the response team; and (5) integrating local emergency service providers with the plan. Requires school officials to work directly with local emergency service providers to integrate the CERP into the community's EMS responder protocols. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules for the installation, use, and maintenance of AEDs in public school units, which must meet the specified minimum standards.
Amends GS 115C-47 by requiring local boards of education to adopt a CERP, including the installation, maintenance, and use of automatic external defibrillators in accordance with GS 115C-375.25.
Amends GS 115C-150.12C by requiring the board of trustees for schools for the deaf and blind to adopt a CERP, including the installation, maintenance, and use of automatic external defibrillators in accordance with GS 115C-375.25.
Amends GS 115C-218.75 to require charter schools to adopt a CERP, including the installation, maintenance, and use of automatic external defibrillators in accordance with GS 115C-375.25.
Amends GS 115C-238.66 to require regional schools to adopt a CERP, including the installation, maintenance, and use of automatic external defibrillators in accordance with GS 115C-375.25.
Amends GS 116-11 by requiring the UNC Board of Governors to adopt a CERP, including the installation, maintenance, and use of automatic external defibrillators in accordance with GS 115C-375.25, for any public secondary schools under the Board's jurisdiction.
Appropriates $2 million for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction to be allocated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction to the governing body of each public school unit to support the schools in purchasing AEDs, developing cardiac emergency response plans, and developing emergency action plans.
Effective July 1, 2025, and applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
Enacts new Article 6H, Baby Bond Program Trust Fund, in GS Chapter 147, providing as follows.
Sets out the NCGA's policy and definitions that apply to the new Article. Defines eligible individual as an infant born on or after January 1, 2024, who: (1) is born to a parent who is a State resident or establishes residence in this State within six months of the infant's birth and (2) resides in a household with an annual household income that does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level. Creates the Baby Bond Program Trust Fund (Fund) in the Department of State Treasurer, administered by the Baby Bond Program Trust Fund Board of Trustees (Board). Requires the Fund to be administered to (1) establish and fund individual accounts in the amount of $2,000 and (2) to enable contributors to save funds and increase the likelihood of the account holder's future financial success. Sets out requirements for setting up individual accounts for eligible individuals and for notifying parents of the account. Authorizes the Board to accept, hold, invest, and disburse contributions, and interest earned on such contributions, from contributors as trustees of the Fund. Requires the Board to hold all contributions to the Fund, and any earnings, in the Fund and invest the contributions. Prohibits distributing funds from an individual account before the account holder is 18 (or earlier if needed to pay for qualified tuition expenses only); sets out additional requirements for distributing funds from individual accounts, including that the holder be an NC resident. Sets out when an account is considered abandoned. Requires annual reports to account holders. Requires notifying the public about the Fund.
Establishes the six-member Board for oversight of the general administration and proper operation of the Fund and to determine investment strategy for the Fund. Sets terms at three years and provides for the filling of vacancies. Sets out the Board's seven duties. Requires the Board to determine and document in an investment policy statement an appropriate investment strategy for the Fund containing one or more forms of investment or strategies for investment from which account owners may select. Requires authorizing the State Treasurer to be responsible for engaging and discharging investment managers and service providers, including contracting and contract monitoring, to implement the investment strategy established by the Board. Requires amounts in individual accounts to be invested according to the account owner's election of one or more of the Board-approved strategies. Sets out additional provisions governing forms of investment. Provides Board members immunity from civil liability for acts or failure act arising out of service on the Board, except in specified circumstances, including when the person derived an improper personal financial benefit. Requires the Board to report annually to the specified NCGA committee.
Allows the Board to delegate authority to the State Treasurer to develop and perform all functions necessary and desirable to: (1) administer the Fund to meet and comply with the requirements of this act, (2) implement the investment strategy established by the Board, and (3) provide such other services as the State Treasurer deems necessary to facilitate participation in the Fund. Authorizes the State Treasurer to obtain the services of investment managers, investment advisors, service providers, or program managers as is necessary for the proper administration, marketing, and investment of the Fund. Allows the Treasurer to establish fees in amounts necessary to offset costs of the program and lists costs that may be paid from the Fund. Prohibits considering account distributions as income for any State benefits eligibility program that limits eligibility based on income.
Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to give information and assistance to the State Treasurer and enter into a data-sharing agreement with the State Treasurer to implement this act.
Authorizes the State Treasurer and DHHS to adopt rules necessary to implement this act.
Requires the State Treasurer to begin transferring one-time deposits and accepting contributions by February 15, 2026.
Requires the Board to be organized immediately after a majority of the members have been qualified or appointed and have taken the oath of office. Sets the initial Board member terms to expire on June 30, 2028.
Appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to the Department of State Treasurer for 2025-26 for purposes consistent with this act.
Effective July 1, 2025.
Adds two new defined terms to GS 14-269.2, which sets forth those circumstances when weapons on campus or other educational property is a crime. Defines school administrative director as any person authorized by the school’s board of trustee to act on the private school’s behalf. Defines school board of trustees to mean the governing body of any private school, and for parochial schools, includes the designated board that oversees the general affairs of a religious institution affiliated with the private parochial school. Adds two new exemptions to the statute as follows:
- An employee or volunteer of a private school who meets all of the six listed criteria, including having received written authorization from the school board of trustees or the school administrative director to possess and carry a firearm or stun gun on the educational property that is owned, used, or operated by the private school and being a holder of a concealed handgun permit; and
- A person in a regularly used and clearly identified place of religious worship that is located on educational property owned, used, or operated by the membership of the place of religious worship while the person is attending worship services or sacerdotal functions at the place of religious worship. Specifies that “attending” includes ingress and egress between the place of religious worship and the designated parking area for the place of religious worship.
Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.
| Intro. by Jarvis, B. Newton, Overcash. | GS 14 |
The Daily Bulletin: 2025-03-12
The Daily Bulletin: 2025-03-12
Actions on Bills: 2025-03-12
H 15: SUPPORT PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS.
H 21: DRIVERS LICENSE DESIGNATION/AUTISM.
H 37: ENHANCE FIREFIGHTER BENEFITS & REPRESENTATION.
H 43: DESIGNATE STATE BALLOON RALLY.
H 52: PROTECT THOSE WHO SERVE & PROTECT ACT OF 2025.
H 53: INCREASE ACCIDENT THRESHOLDS/SAFE DRIVER PLAN.
H 62: FARMERS PROTECTION ACT.
H 100: EXPAND RELIGIOUS PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION.
H 137: GABE TORRES ACT.
H 182: REVISE LAWS ON DOMESTIC & CHILD ABUSE.
H 184: PROMOTE NORTH CAROLINA SAWMILLS.
H 189: RED LIGHT CAMERA DELAY INTERVAL.
H 212: CONDEMNATION/SERVICE ON SPOUSES NOT REQUIRED.
H 276: ALIGN BENEFITS FOR FIREFIGHTERS WITH CANCER.
H 354: CIVIL PROCEDURE/GATEKEEPER ORDERS/DATABASE.
H 355: LRC STUDY FUTURE OF RURAL FIREFIGHTING.
H 356: PERMITTED TRADE PRACTICES/INSURANCE REBATES.-AB
H 357: CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES ACT.-AB
H 358: MAINTAIN NAIC ACCREDITATION OF DOI.-AB
H 359: JACKSONVILLE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND.
H 360: HOMEOWNER PROTECTION ACT.
H 361: FUNDS TO FIGHT DEED AND TITLE FRAUD.
H 362: CLEAN SKIES GEOENGINEERING BAN.
H 363: REG. PUBLIC TRANS. AUTHORITY SERVICE AREA.
H 364: STIP GRANT ANTICIPATION NOTES.
H 365: WORKFORCE EDUCATION ACT.
H 366: REENACT & EXPAND PISTOL PURCHASE PERMIT.
H 367: PROVIDE RAPE KIT STATUS UPDATES TO VICTIMS.
H 368: CLARIFY LAW REGARDING CAR SEATS.
H 369: PARKING LOT REFORM AND MODERNIZATION ACT.
H 370: GSC UNIFORM ACTS REGARDING CHILDREN.
H 371: DMV MATERIALS IN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES.
H 372: HOME-BASED BUSINESS FAIRNESS ACT.
H 373: UNC TUITION DISCOUNTS FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS.
H 374: NCARCOG FUNDING/OPERATIONS IMPROVEMENTS.
H 380: CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTIONS TO VACCINE MANDATES.
H 381: ON-SITE WASTEWATER SYSTEM AMENDMENTS.
H 382: ELK PERMIT AUCTION/RAFFLE.
H 383: AUGMENT SUBCONTRACTOR PROTECTIONS.
H 384: NCNG TAX DEDUCTION FOR FED. PAY.
H 385: COMPETITION PARITY ACT.
H 386: INCREASE VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEE/SHP PAY.
H 387: ELIMINATE TAX ON GOV'T RETIREES.
H 388: AMEND BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT.
H 389: CHILD CARE WORKFORCE PILOT PROGRAM/FUNDS.
H 390: ALLEVIATE THE DANGERS OF SURGICAL SMOKE.
H 391: MORE APS STAFF TO ADDRESS ELDER ABUSE.
S 58: AG/RESTRICT CHALLENGE TO PRESIDENTIAL EOS.
S 59: REVISE VOLUNTARY AG. DISTRICT LAWS.
S 77: SCHOOL CONTRACTED HEALTH SERVICES.
S 155: SOCIAL WORK INTERSTATE LICENSURE COMPACT.
S 221: CONFIRM PAM CASHWELL/SEC. N & CR.
S 223: EXPAND ACADEMIC TRANS. PATHWAYS/SOPHOMORE HS.
S 225: EDDIE BUFFALOE/SECRETARY OF DPS.
S 227: ELIMINATING "DEI" IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.
S 261: ENERGY SECURITY AND AFFORDABILITY ACT.
S 264: FLAGS AT EVERY SCHOOL.
S 265: PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY ACT.
S 266: HISTORIC FLOOD EVENT BLDG. CODE EXEMPTION.
S 267: AMEND BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT.
S 268: AMEND NC PEO ACT.-AB
S 269: INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION ACT REVISIONS.-AB
S 270: CREDIT PROPERTY INSURANCE RESTRICTIONS.-AB
S 271: PERMITTED TRADE PRACTICES/INSURANCE REBATES.-AB
S 272: INSURANCE PRODUCERS/EXCHANGE OF BUSINESS.
S 273: GRANT'S LAW/REQUIRE LIFEGUARDS AT DAY CAMPS.
S 274: REPEAL CRIME AGAINST NATURE LAW.
S 275: DEREGULATE SMALL BOARDING KENNELS.
S 276: STUDY RESIDUAL PROPERTY MARKET MECHANISMS.
S 277: NC AHEC RECRUITMENT & RETENTION FUNDS.
S 278: THE SMART HEART ACT.
S 279: BABY BOND TRUST FUND.
S 280: PRIVATE SCHOOL SECURITY ACT.
Actions on Bills: 2025-03-12
H 105: GASTON CO. BD. OF ED. ELECT. PARTISAN.
H 116: COLUMBUS CO. BD. OF ED. PARTISAN. (NEW)
H 136: TOWN OF FAITH/FOUR-YEAR TERMS.
H 201: ROUTE 25/70 VEHICLE TRAILER RESTRICTIONS.
H 223: TOWN OF MOORESVILLE/PROPERTY CONVEYANCE.
S 149: HENDERSON COUNTY/BLUE RIDGE CC CONSTRUCTION.
S 174: RUTHERFORD CTY/ISOTHERMAL CC CONSTRUCTION.
S 203: CITY OF WILMINGTON/PROPERTY CONVEYANCES.
© 2025 School of Government The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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