Part I.

Repeals GS 14-35, which made it a Class 2 misdemeanor for a student attending a university, college, or school in this state to engage in hazing, or to aid or abet any other student in the commission of this offense; defines hazing as subjecting another student to physical injury as part of an initiation, or as a prerequisite to membership, into any organized school group, including any society, athletic team, fraternity or sorority, or other similar group.

Instead, enacts new GS 35.1 to prohibit hazing as follows. Defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with other persons, against a minor or student of an educational institution (secondary or postsecondary educational institution), whether or not committed on the education institution's campus or property, for the purpose of recruiting, joining, pledging, initiating, admitting, affiliating with, or for the purpose of continuing or enhancing status in an organization, that causes, coerces, or forces a minor or student to do any of the following: a. violate State or federal law; b. consume any food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, or other substance in any non-customary manner which subjects the minor or student to a substantial risk of emotional or physical harm, including sickness, vomiting, intoxication, or unconsciousness; c. endure brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, paddling, branding, dangerous physical activity, or exposure to the elements, or to endure threats of such conduct, that results in medically verifiable mental or physical harm; d. endure brutality of a mental nature, including activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact, conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment or to endure threats of such conduct that results in medically verifiable mental or physical harm; or e. endure any other activity which adversely affects the health and safety of the individual. Also defines alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, local affiliate organization, local organization, minor, national organization, organization, postsecondary educational institution, secondary educational institution, serious bodily injury, and student.

Specifies that a person commits an offense if the person requested, authorized, commanded, encouraged, or participated in hazing, or knowingly aided, assisted, or conspired with another person to commit hazing. Sets out the following penalties, unless the conduct is covered by another law providing greater punishment: (1) Class C felony, which may include a fine of $15,000, if the offense results in serious bodily injury or death or (2) Class A1 misdemeanor, including a fine of $5,000, for any other violation.

Specifies the following offenses: (1) a local organization or local affiliate organization commits an offense when the elected leadership of the local organization or local affiliate organization had specific knowledge its member, employee, or volunteer was participating, aiding, or assisting in any act of hazing a minor or student and did not attempt to intervene to stop the hazing or report it to the appropriate local authorities; (2) a national organization commits an offense if an employee or volunteer of the national organization or member of the national organization's governing board of directors knowingly directed, supervised, or actively participated in any act of hazing a minor or student; and (3) a postsecondary educational institution commits an offense if an employee or volunteer of the postsecondary educational institution or member of the educational institution's governing board of trustees knowingly directed, supervised, or actively participated in any act of hazing a minor or student. Violations are punishable by a fine of no more than $15,000.

Requires a person who actively directs or engages in hazing that injures a minor or student to give the injured person reasonable assistance, to the extent it can be done without danger or peril to himself or others.

Sets out the following penalties, unless the conduct is covered by another law providing greater punishment: (1) Class C felony, which may include a fine of $15,000, if the offense results in serious bodily injury or death or (2) Class A1 misdemeanor, including a fine of $5,000, for any other violation. Violations are punishable as follows, unless another law provides for greater punishment: (1) Class 2 misdemeanor, which may include a fine of no more than $1,000 when no serious bodily injury or death occurs and (2) Class E felony, which may include a fine of no more than $2,000, when serious bodily injury or death occurs.

Specifies that the consent of the person whom the hazing was directed against, and the argument that hazing was approved or sanctioned by the relevant organization, or was traditional or customary, are not defenses to prosecution.

Sets out conditions under which immunity from prosecution may apply for acting or reporting in good faith.

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

Part II.

Enacts new GS 115C-393 requiring governing boards of public school units providing secondary education to require every school containing all or parts of grades 9-12 to investigate all allegations of hazing by students according to that school’s disciplinary process. Requires the Department of Public Instruction, in consultation with the State Board of Education, UNC Board of Governors, and State Board of Community Colleges, to develop an educational plan for public schools to prevent hazing, including information on awareness, prevention, and intervention; requires provisions for schools to coordinate with national organizations for training.

Requires students to take an in-person or online educational program on hazing within 30 days of enrollment. Requires students to take the program before engaging in extracurricular activities. Requires each public school to provide on its website all of the listed information about hazing violations committed by organizations. Records must be kept for at least five years. Requires public schools to report hazing violations involving serious bodily injury or significant risk of serious bodily injury committed by an organization to local law enforcement within 72 hours of learning of the violation.

Requires the following to comply with these requirements: local boards of education (GS 115C-47), board of trustees of schools for deaf and blind students (GS 115C-150.12C), charter schools (GS 115C-218.75), regional schools (GS 115C-238.66), and laboratory schools (GS 116-239.8).

Enacts new GS 116-40.14 to require a UNC constituent institution that is an institution of higher education or a community college, to investigate all allegations of hazing by students according to the institution’s standard disciplinary process. Requires the UNC Board of Governors, in consultation with the State Board of Community Colleges, Department of Public Instruction, and State Board of Education, to develop an educational plan for public institutions of higher education to prevent hazing, including information on awareness, prevention, and intervention; requires provisions for institutions to coordinate with national organizations for training.

Requires students to take an in-person or online educational program on hazing within 30 days of enrollment. Requires students to take the program before engaging in extracurricular activities. Requires each institution to provide on its website all of the listed information about hazing violations committed by organizations. Records must be kept for at least five years. Requires institutions to report hazing violations involving serious bodily injury or significant risk of serious bodily injury committed by an organization to local law enforcement within 72 hours of learning of the violation.

Makes conforming changes to GS 115D-12.

Applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year and the 2025-26 academic year. Requires the Department of Public Instruction and the UNC Board of Governors to submit the first report on October 15, 2026, based on data from the spring 2026 semester.

Part III.

Provides a savings clause for offenses committed before the act’s effective date.

Contains whereas clauses. Titles the act the “Senior Care Assurance Act.” Defines Division of Aging (a division of the Department of Health and Human Services) and senior citizen (a State resident 65 years of age and older). 

Requires the Division of Health Benefits to ensure the Medicaid program covers preventive screenings and chronic disease management services, including osteoporosis screenings, medication management, cardiovascular assessments, and specialized geriatric care, for Medicaid recipients who are 65 years of age or older.

Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund to the Division of Aging (Division) in recurring funds for each year of the fiscal biennium for 2025-27 to develop the Senior Preventive Health Grant Program (Program), a grant program to healthcare providers that provide regular health screenings, medication management, and geriatric healthcare consultations free of charge to senior citizens with a household income at or below the federal poverty level. Caps grants at $25,000 per grantee. Provides for an application process. Instructs the Division to develop selection criteria. Requires that final award decisions give priority to healthcare providers located in rural or underserved areas of the State. Authorizes use of up to 5% of appropriated funds for administrative costs. Starting April 1, 2027, requires the Division to submit an annual report by April 1 to the specified NCGA committee and the Fiscal Research Division (FRD) on the Program, to include at least the five specified prongs of information.

Amends Section 9B.7A of SL 2023-134 (2023 Appropriations act), which establishes a telehealth infrastructure grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Central Management and Support, Office of Rural Health (ORH). Directs ORH to give priority to independent practices that specialize in the health and well-being of elderly persons 65 years of age or older. Extends ORH’s annual reporting requirement so that it sunsets on April 1 of the fiscal year all of the telehealth infrastructure grant program funds are expended (currently, reporting requirement ends April 1, 2025). Makes a technical change.

Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the Division in recurring funds for each year of the fiscal biennium for 2025-27 to develop the Senior Telehealth Assistance Program (STAP) to provide State-funded financial assistance of up to $1,000 per household to senior citizens to help them purchase equipment, high–speed internet access, and any other infrastructure necessary to participate in telehealth services (defined). Instructs the Division to develop selection criteria in consultation with community-based healthcare providers and senior advocacy groups. Requires that final award decisions give priority to senior citizens residing in rural or underserved areas of the State. Authorizes use of up to 5% of appropriated funds for administrative costs. Starting April 1, 2027, requires the Division to submit an annual report by April 1 to the specified NCGA committee and the Fiscal Research Division (FRD) on STAP, to include at least the four specified prongs of information.

Requires the Division to develop and submit to the specified NCGA committee, a plan for a statewide initiative to form multidisciplinary care teams to coordinate care provided to senior citizens by the specified providers by February 1, 2026. Specifies that the teams’ purposes are to promote holistic, patient-centered care and ensure continuity of medical treatment for senior citizens with multiple health conditions. Limits the Division from implementing the plan unless there is an act by the General Assembly.

Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Division in recurring funds for each year of the fiscal biennium for 2025-27 and $1.5 million in nonrecurring funding for the 2025-26 year to implement a Senior Care Navigation Hotline by May 1, 2026, operated by the division in partnership with local agencies and healthcare providers.

Directs the Division to ensure the Medicaid program covers home-based healthcare services, including nursing visits, physical therapy, and remote monitoring for Medicaid recipients who are 65 years of age or older.

Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates $33 million from the General Fund to the Division in recurring funds for each year of the fiscal biennium for 2025-27 to support an initiative to increase access to non-Medicaid home-based healthcare services and caregiver support for senior citizens and their families. Instructs that a portion of those funds be used to establish a Caregiver Assistance Program that provides a monthly stipend of up to $500 to a family member who provides in-home care to an eligible senior, with the Division to establish criteria and stipend amount, using at least the two specified criteria. Starting April 1, 2027, requires the Division to submit an annual report by April 1 to the specified NCGA committee and the FRD on the Caregiver Assistance Program and any other programs, initiatives, or services funded by the appropriation, including at least the three listed topics.

Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates $7 million from the General Fund to the Division in recurring funds for each year of the fiscal biennium for 2025-27 to develop the Senior Home Safety Program (Home Program) to provide grants and loans at below-market interest rates to senior citizens to assist with home modifications for a primary residence to improve accessibility and safety, including the listed modifications. Instructs the Division to develop eligibility criteria, giving priority to senior citizens who are disabled or who meet the specified income limit. Gives the Division discretion to determine whether the applicant will be awarded a grant or a loan. Creates the Senior Home Safety Fund (Fund), a nonreverting special fund in the Division operating as a revolving fund consisting of funds appropriated to, or otherwise received by, the Home Program and all funds received as repayment of the principal of or interest on a loan made from the Fund. Names the State Treasurer the custodian of the Fund. Starting April 1, 2027, requires the Division to submit an annual report by April 1 to the specified NCGA committee and the FRD on the Home Program to include the four prongs of information.

Directs the Division to establish annual reporting requirements for healthcare providers participating in State-funded programs that provide care to senior citizens that allow the Division to evaluate health outcomes, program effectiveness, and service accessibility.

Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to the Division in recurring funds for each year of the fiscal biennium for 2025-27 to develop and implement a Senior Health Data Initiative to collect data regarding the health of senior citizens and to monitor and assess trends in senior healthcare needs and outcomes. Requires the Division to use the data to inform its future policy decisions and funding allocations. 

States the General Assembly’s intent to (1) to build upon and expand existing Medicaid waiver programs and (2) to build upon and expand existing programs that benefit senior citizens to support their well-being and independence. Instructs the Division to work with the specified agencies to ensure maximum funding for the NC Medicaid Program and for programs benefiting senior citizens to achieve these goals. 

Part I.

Authorizes any person who will become qualified by age to register and vote in the general election for which a partisan or nonpartisan primary is held, even though not so qualified by the date of the primary, to register for the primary and general election prior to the primary and then vote in the primary and general election after being registered in accordance GS 163-82.6B (same-day registration). Specifies that when a person using same-day registration declines to immediately vote, the registration must be processed and the person can later vote at an early voting site in the same election if the time for early voting has not closed. Clarifies that the same-day registration provisions of GS 163-82.6B authorizes a person to register to vote and then vote in their county of residence on election day or at an early voting site, as specified.

Makes conforming changes to GS 163-59 (right to participate or vote in party primary); GS 163-82.6(d) (registration deadlines for a primary or election); GS 163-166.12 (concerning voting when identification numbers do not match); GS 163-283 (right to participate or vote in party primary); and GS 163-283.1 (concerning voting in a nonpartisan primary).

Part II.

Amends GS 163-82.1 to allow a person who is at least 16 years old but will not be 18 years old by the date of the next election and who is otherwise qualified to register to preregister to vote and then be automatically registered upon reaching the age of eligibility upon verification of the person's qualifications and address.

Amends GS 163-82.3 to require the State Board of Elections to develop a form to preregister to vote.

Amends GS 163-82.4 by amending the questions that appear on a voter registration application form to include asking the applicant if he is at least 16 years old and understands that he must be 18 on or before election day to vote. Makes conforming changes. 

Makes conforming changes to allow for preregistering to vote in the following: GS 163-82.19 (concerning voter registration at driver's license offices); GS 163-82.20 (voter registration at other public agencies); GS 163-82.23 (voter registration at public high schools); GS 115C-81.45 (concerning components of the high school course on the Founding Principles of the United States of America and the State of North Carolina); and GS 115C-47 (encouraging local boards of education to adopt policies to promote student voter registration, and now, preregistration). 

Encourages the State Board of Elections and the Department of Public Instruction to improve outreach to high school students on voter registration and preregistration programs when students are eligible to do either.

Amends Article 7 of Chapter 136 by enacting new, GS 136-93.1B that details the permit review process for driveway, encroachment, and subdivision permits. Requires that the Department of Transportation (DOT) notify an applicant that their permit application is complete or incomplete within 10 business days of receiving an application for certain permits. Includes permits pertaining to driveway connections; encroachment; traffic control devices; openings, structures, pipes, or trees; and subdivisions (GS 136-18(29), GS 136-18(37), GS 136-30, GS 136-93, and GS 136-102.6, respectively). Notification is not required if DOT issues the permit or denies the application providing a proper signed, written report within the 10-day period. Details written report requirements.

If application is complete, DOT must notify the applicant and inform them that a review period of 30 calendar days has begun. Before the end of the review period, DOT must either issue the permit or deny the application with a proper signed, written report. If application is incomplete, DOT must provide applicant with specific information required to complete it. Once completed, DOT must provide notice of a completed application as detailed above.

If DOT fails to meet any of the time periods in this section, the permit application must be deemed approved, and a permit must be issued.

Adds new statute to Chapter 143, Article 8, GS 143-129.11, requiring annual contracting at the start of each fiscal year for publication of notices by units of local government and local school administrative units to be made after securing informal bids. Requires the informal bid process to be designed to maximize competition and ensure the best value for public funds. Requires contracts to be awarded to lowest responsible, responsive bidder and details other factors to be considered for award. Mandates that records of all informal bids submitted be kept by the officer, department, board, local school administrative unit, or commission entering the contract and delays public inspection of those records until after the contract is awarded. Directs that if there is no eligible newspaper to contract with, then the contract must be awarded to newspapers described in GS 1-597(b) or GS 1-599. Refers to other statutes for definitions of the following: local school administrative unit (GS 115C-5); newspaper (GS 1-597(a); publish, publication, “to publish” verbs (GS 153A-1, GS 159-1, GS 160A-1); and unit of local government (GS 159-7).

Amends GS 1-596 by making technical and conforming changes.

Effective July 1, 2026, and applies to notices published on or after that date.

Part I.

Enacts GS 163-275.1, creating the following crimes related to voting in elections. Makes it a Class H felony to do any of the following: (1) threaten or attempt to threaten a person for voting or attempting to vote, for voting or attempting to vote for or against a particular candidate, for registering to vote, for urging or aiding any individuals to vote or attempt to vote as authorized by law, or for exercising any lawful powers or duties as an election official or enlisting another person to do so; (2) knowingly challenge a person’s right to vote on fraudulent or spirituous grounds; (3) engage in mass, indiscriminate, and groundless challenging of voters solely for the purpose of preventing voters from voting or to delay the process of voting or the lawful and orderly administration of an election; or (4) fraudulently advise any person that the person is not eligible to vote or is not registered to vote.

Makes it a Class H felony for an employer to (1) enclose an employees’ pay in envelopes upon which or in which there is written or printed the name of any candidate or political mottoes, devices, or arguments containing threats, intended or calculated to influence the political opinions or actions of the employees; or (2) in any way communicate that an employees’ pay or continued employment is conditioned on voting or not voting, or voting or not voting for a specific candidate.

Makes it a Class A1 misdemeanor to intimidate or coerce, or attempt to intimidate or coerce, any person for voting or attempting to vote, for voting or attempting to vote for or against a particular candidate, urging or aiding any persons to vote or attempt to vote as allowed by law, or exercising any lawful powers or duties as an election official or enlisting another person for the purpose of doing the same.

Establishes that a person will be found to have intimidated or coerced another person if the person knew or reasonably should have known that his or her actions would produce that effect. Defines coerce, intimidate, and threaten. Establishes a right of action for a person aggrieved by a violation of new GS 163-275.1 for preventative relief; permits a court to award the prevailing party reasonable attorneys’ fees.

Enacts new GS 153-275.3, authorizing a court to order any person convicted of violating Article 22 of the Chapter, which governs corrupt practices and other offenses against the elective franchise, to pay a restitution fine, at an amount at the court’s discretion, to be deposited in the Voter Intimidation Restitution Fund (Fund), established by the act. Directs that funds appropriated to the Fund are to be allocated to the State Board of Elections (State Board) for voter education campaigns relating to these crimes, as specified.

Part II.

Makes organizational changes to Article 22, GS Chapter 163. Enacts GS 163-278.1A, making any person who intimidates, threatens, coerces, or attempts to do the same to an election worker, with the intent to impede, intimidate, or interfere with their official duties, liable for civil damages of up to $100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both. Defines election worker to include election volunteers. Provides immunity for election workers acting in good faith to prevent election interference or preserve ballot access. Amends GS 163-278 to authorize the State Board and district attorneys to investigate, prosecute, and seek increased penalties for violations of new GS 163-275.1.

Part III.

Enacts new Article 15B, GS Chapter 163, cited as the Safeguard Fair Elections Act. Sets forth legislative findings and defined terms. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 for a public official to perform or communicate the intention to perform an official act in which the official, without substantial evidence (as defined) refuses to certify the actual results or count of an election. Makes such action or communication of intention an automatic resignation from office, and deems any such official act void.

Part IV.

Amends GS 163-182.12A, establishing seven best practices with which the State Board of Elections must ensure post-election audits comply, including being conducted by nonpartisan officials with expertise in elections, preserving ballot secrecy and voter privacy, and requiring audit procedures to be established before election day and before results are known. Prohibits public officials from providing funding for or participating in a post-election audit or review that fails to comply with the State Board’s best practices that meet the described criteria.

Enacts GS 163-182.12B, directing the State Board to conduct, in each county, a risk-limiting audit after the general election, where a hand-to-eye recount is made of randomly selected ballot samples in a contest that provides strong statistical evidence that the machine-counted results are correct and based on a risk limit, meaning the largest chance that an incorrect outcome of a contest could escape correction by the audit. Specifies that the audit must not change the results of an election.

Part V.

Amends GS 163-45.1 (concerning election observers), to require that the observers complete training before acting as an observer and complete additional training at least once every two years. Requires the State Board to establish training standards and requirements for observers.  Adds the requirement that while observing, observers must wear a tag or badge that includes the observer's name, role, and partisan affiliation. Removes the provision prohibiting observers from taking an oath of office; instead requires that observers sign a sworn oath that the observer will not do engage in any of five specified courses of conduct, including engaging in electioneering at the voting place, and impeding the voting process or interfere or communicate with or observe any voter in casting a ballot.

Requires the State Board to collaborate with county boards of elections, to: (1) ensure election administrators are adequately compensated equitably throughout the State; (2) ensure clear and conspicuous notices are placed at voting locations establishing clear rights and responsibilities for voters, poll workers, and observers; and (3) develop a statewide, uniform system of reporting incidents of voter intimidation anonymously.

Part VI.

Enacts new GS 163-49 allowing a precinct official to file written notice with the State Board requesting that the precinct official and the precinct official's immediate family be placed on a list that prohibits disclosing personally identifiable information in public records when the precinct official deems the official or the official's immediate family is at risk of intimidation, threat, or coercion in response to official election duties. Defines personally identifiable information to include any of the following: (1) a person's home address, home or mobile phone number, pager number, or personal email address; (2) a photo of a person; (3) directions to a person's home; or (4) a photo or description of a person's home, vehicle, or vehicle license plate. Requires the State Board to develop the process and criteria for precinct officials requesting this nondisclosure, including providing a way to notify the county boards of elections and other entities of the request.

Makes conforming changes to GS 132-1.2.

Part VII. 

Amends GS 163-182.13A to allow review by the court (previously prohibited) of the NCGA's decision in determining the contest of an election for a Council of State office. Requires, if judicial review is granted, that the court issue findings of fact on whether the contestee is eligible and qualified, or if the contest is as to the conduct or results of the election, which candidate received the highest number of votes.

Part VIII.

Appropriates $250,000 in recurring funds for 2025-27 from the General Fund to the State Auditor pursuant to Section 3A.2 of SL 2024-57 for the State Board for biennial security training for election officials and their immediate family members. Requires that the training include, at least: (1) best practices for using social media and other forms of online engagement and maintaining online privacy; (2) home security program and maintenance; (3) understanding removal programs and requirements for election officials' personally identifiable information in accordance with this act; and (4) any other security training deemed relevant. Effective July 1, 2025.

Part IX.

Appropriates $2 million for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the State Auditor pursuant to Section 3A.2 of SL 2024-57 for the State Board to establish, in coordination with the Department of Public Safety, a new threat management capability for monitoring all-source information that will: (1) provide a threat monitoring and analysis capability for the protection of election officials and their immediate family members; (2) coordinate social media monitoring and threat assessments; (3) proactively manage the monitoring of websites for election officials' personally identifiable information and report violations to the appropriate law enforcement authorities; (4) maintain files of escalating behaviors and work in conjunction with the appropriate law enforcement to counteract overt acts of aggression; (5) maintain a database of each election official to catalogue complaints, including the specified information of the individual(s) engaging in threatening behavior; and (6) coordinate complaints by election officials of all sources and other online threats, whether direct or indirect, with law enforcement partners. Effective July 1, 2025.

Part X.

Includes a severability clause.

Section 1.

Enacts Article 4, “Prohibit Adversarial Foreign Government of Certain Lands,” to GS Chapter 64, as follows. Titled the NC Farmland and Military Protection Act. Contains findings of the General Assembly pertaining to State protection of military and farmlands. Defines adversarial nation as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Sets forth ten other defined terms, including prohibited foreign party (meaning any of the five types of parties, including a citizen or resident of an adversarial nation or a foreign government formed within an adversarial nation, but excluding entities that engaged in the described activities with the Committee of Foreign Investment in the US). Defines military installation as Fort Bragg, Pope Army Airfield, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, New River Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point, the United States Coast Guard Air Station at Elizabeth City, Naval Support Activity Northwest, Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR-4) at Fort Fisher, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, in its own right and as the responsible entity for the Dare 22 County Bombing Range, and any facility located within the State that is subject to the installations' oversight and control.

Enacts GS 64-63, prohibiting a prohibited foreign party from purchasing, acquiring, leasing, or holding any interest in the following: (1) agricultural land; (2) land situated within a 25-mile radius of a military installation; and (3) land situated underneath special use airspace, designated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (defined). Permits a prohibited foreign party that is a resident alien of the US to hold the land described above, upon the same terms as a US citizen during the continuance of their residence in the State. Prevents a prohibited foreign party from acquiring any interest in the above specified land, except for a de minimus direct interest (defined as any ownership of land resulting from ownership of registered equities in a publicly traded company owning the land and if the ownership interest in the company is either of the following: (1) less than 5% of any class of registered equities or less than 5% in the aggregate in multiple classes of registered equities; or (2) a noncontrolling interest in an entity controlled by a company that is both registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is not a foreign entity).

Bars another person from acting to hold land as an agent, trustee, or other fiduciary for a prohibited foreign party. Specifies that a prohibited foreign party is in violation of the act for as long as they continue to hold the specified land. Directs violating prohibited foreign parties to sell, transfer, or otherwise divest from the land within three years after acquiring the land. Directs the Attorney General (AG) to commence a court action for the sale of land if the prohibited foreign party owner does not divest from the land. Provides for proceeds of the sale to be distributed to lien holders in order of priority, then reasonable costs to the State, and finally the balance to the prohibited foreign party owner. Provides for recording by AG of the specified matters. Deems persons in violation of GS 64-63 to be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Provides for the establishment of resident alien status as an affirmative defense.  

Authorizes a prohibited foreign party that acquired an interest in the land described above prior to the act’s effective date to continue to hold their interest in the land but cannot expand their interest in that land. Requires registration of the land with the Secretary of State (Secretary) and the AG. Provides for a registration form with specified information. Provides for civil penalty for failure to register of at least $1,000 for each day the registration is late. Directs that the unpaid balance constitutes a lien against the land. Provides for an affidavit executed by any purchase of the described land above attesting their compliance with GS 64-63. Clarifies that failure to obtain or maintain the affidavit does not affect the title or insurability of the title for the land or subject any nonparty to the purchase to civil or criminal liability, unless a nonparty to the purchase has actual knowledge that the transaction will result in a violation of this section. Directs the Real Estate Commission to establish the form affidavit.

Clarifies that title to agricultural land is not invalid or subject to divestiture due to a violation of GS 64-63 by any former owner or any other person holding or owning a former interest in the agricultural land. Makes it a Class 2 misdemeanor for a person to knowingly sell an interest in agricultural land in violation of GS 64-63.

Section 2.

Enacts GS 161-14.04, requiring the register of deeds to mandate that the parties as grantor and grantee on the instrument provide information sufficient to establish their current citizenship, residential status, or for non-individual entities, the state or nation where the entity is organized under, prior to the recording of a deed or other document conveying an ownership interest in land. Provides for indexing of citizenship and residential status.

Section 3.

Contains severability clause.

Section 4.

Effective December 1, 2025.

Identical to H 480, filed 3/20/25.

Enacts GS 90-12.2B, permitting licensure by endorsement of a physician, physician assistant, or anesthesiologist assistant in the State so long as they submit an application that demonstrates the four described requirements including verification of acceptance of a full-time offer of employment in the State and holding an active, full, and unrestricted license in at least one other United States jurisdiction, including any state, territory, or district, for at least five years (with physicians having to have practiced for at least two years of those five years after completing residency training after graduation from medical school as described). Provides for an attestation by the applicant that they meet the six listed criteria, including having had no felony or misdemeanor convictions in the five years preceding the application and is not the subject of adverse action taken by any agency or regulatory board overseeing their licensure in the last five years prior to the application. Provides for submission of additional information to the Medical Board (Board) within 120 days after licensure as described. Specifies that a license issued under GS 90-12.2B becomes inactive after 180 days unless the supplemental information is received (if needed). Directs that Board has authority to investigate and take appropriate action against an applicant or licensee who applied for or received licensure by endorsement and that it retains jurisdiction over an inactive license. Provides for licensing and criminal background check fees. 

Increases the application fee for a medical/surgical license from a cap of $400 to a cap of $550. Caps the application fee for licensure by endorsement at $825. Increases the fee cap for a limited license to practice in a medical education program from $100 to $125.  Increases the fee cap for the initial and annual licensure of an anesthesiologist assistant from $150 to $200.  Directs for the initial licensure fee for a physician assistant to be capped at $325. Sets the following fee caps for these applicants for licensure by endorsement: $300 for anesthesiologist assistants and $500 for physician assistants.

Increases the cap for annual registration fees under GS 90-13.2 from $250 to $350, and from $125 to $150 for those licensed to practice in a medical education program. Specifies that the cap for annual registration fees for physician assistants is $200. Instructs that failure to register by a physician assistant as required incurs an additional $25 fee. Increases the licensure application and renewal fee caps for a perfusionist under GS 90-689 by $50. Increases the provisional license fee cap by $25.

Authorizes the Medical Board to adopt temporary rules to implement the act.

Effective October 1, 2025.

Enacts new GS 14-269.5 making it a Class 1 misdemeanor to possess, or carry (openly or concealed), any dangerous weapon (1) at a location used as a voting place, (2) within 100 feet from the door of entrance to a location used as a voting place, or (3) while in line to vote at a location used as a voting place. Specifies that this prohibition applies only while the location is open and being used as a voting place. Excludes law enforcement officers acting in discharge of their official duties. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Enacts Article 6B, Local Adult Protection Multidisciplinary Teams, to GS Chapter 108A. States legislative findings and the Article's purpose. Defines five terms. Authorizes counties to establish a Case Review Multidisciplinary Team or to participate in a multicounty Team. Defines Case Review Multidisciplinary Team as an adult protection multidisciplinary team (Case Team) that reviews selected active cases in which disabled adults are being served by adult protective services through a local department of social services (dss). Defines disabled adult to mean an individual 18 years of age or older or a lawfully emancipated minor who is present in the State and who is physically or mentally incapacitated, as defined by statutory cross-reference.

Provides for the county board of commissioners to consult with the dss director in determining whether to establish its own Case Team or become part of a multicounty team. Provides for the formation and withdrawal from a multicounty team. Details membership required of the Case Team for both individual county and multicounty teams as well as other members that may be appointed by the chair. Provides for vacancies, election of the chair, and Case Team meetings.

Charges the Case Team with (1) reviewing selected active cases in which disabled adults are being served by adult protective services through dss, and (2) annually submitting to the commissioners any recommendations for addressing systemic problems and service gaps in the delivery of services to disabled adults by public and nonpublic agencies. Lists six powers and duties of the dss director in addition to those as a Case Team member, including assuring the development of written operating procedures for Team reviews, maintenance of Team records, and annual reporting to the local board of social services on the Team's activities. Specifies that these powers and duties extend to each dss director on multicounty team.

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to develop and make available for each Case Team member training materials that address four criteria including an overview of adult protective services law and policy, the role and function of the Case Team, confidentiality requirements, and record-keeping requirements. 

Details permitted information sharing among Case Team members related to performing reviews and providing, arranging, or coordinating services for disabled adults whose cases have been or are currently under review by the Team. Terminates information sharing authority when a case is no longer active, as described. Prohibits the dss director from sharing information that discloses the identity of individuals who have reported suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a disabled adult to dss except as allowed by law. Exempts Case Team meetings from the State's open meetings laws, Article 33C, GS Chapter 143. 

Deems Case Team information and records confidential and limits disclosure to instances when it is necessary to carry out the purposes of the Case Team or otherwise permitted by law. Specifies that the confidentiality requirements do not preclude a court from compelling disclosure if necessary for the proper administration of justice and disclosure is not prohibited by law. Describes three instances when information generated in a Case Team meeting may be disclosed, including disclosure to the county commissioners, board of social services, or Case Team member's agency or organization, as specified. Provides for Case Team members to sign confidentiality statements and provides the chair with authority to recommend removal of any member who fails to sign or comply with the confidentiality requirements. Requires notation in the disabled adult's protective services record to indicate selection for review and allows further entries at the dss director's discretion. Provides that relevant State and federal law applies to the Case Team's sharing or accessing confidential information and records. Directs the Social Services Commission to adopt rules to establish protocols for Case Team reviews.

Clarifies that the Article is limited in scope to Case Teams established under the Article. Adds that the Article does not prohibit a county from establishing a Case Team and a Systemic Review Multidisciplinary Team, as defined.

Effective October 1, 2025.

Allows, upon request, for the identifying information of any prize winner of $1 million or more under GS 18C-132 (pertaining to drawings and claiming lottery prizes) to be treated as confidential except to the extent to do the following: (1) notify the NC Department of Revenue for State income tax purposes; (2) notify the IRS; (3) notify the tax authorities of the prize winner’s state of residence; (4) comply with debt set-off programs under GS 18C-134 and GS Chapter 105A; (5) comply with Article 31 of GS Chapter 1, concerning supplemental proceedings against a judgment debtor; and (6) comply with a court order.  (Currently, confidentiality can be requested only if the prize is over $50 million and only for 90 days after the winner has claimed the prize.) Makes conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2025. 

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (Department) for the 2025-26 year to study the feasibility of establishing a professional wrestling museum in the State. Requires the Department to report its findings to the specified NCGA committee by July 1, 2026. Effective July 1, 2025.  

Identical to H 166, filed 2/21/25.

Enacts new GS Chapter 50E, the Extreme Risk Protection Orders Act, providing a court procedure for concerned citizens and law enforcement to obtain an order temporarily restricting a person's access to firearms in situations where a person poses a significant danger of harming themselves or others by possessing a firearm. Includes legislative purpose. Sets out defined terms applicable to the Chapter.

Allows a family or household member, a current or former spouse or dating partner, a law enforcement officer or agency, or a health care provider to file a verified petition in district court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) in any county authorized by the venue provisions set out in GS 1-82 (most commonly where the plaintiff or defendant resides). Defines family or household member to be (1) a person related by blood, marriage, or adoption to the respondent; (2) a current or former dating partner of the respondent; (3) a person who has a child in common with the respondent; (4) a domestic partner of the respondent; (5) a person who has a biological or legal parent-child relationship with the respondent, including stepparents, stepchildren, grandparents, and grandchildren; and (6) a person who is acting or has acted as the respondent's legal guardian. Sets out information required in the petition, including: (1) a factual allegation that the respondent poses a danger of physical harm to self or others (and in the case of an ex parte ERPO, poses an imminent danger of physical harm to self or others) by having in his or her care, custody, possession, ownership, or control a firearm; (2) an identification of the number, types, and locations of firearms under the respondent's custody or control; (3) an identification of any existing protection order governing the respondent; and (4) an identification of any pending legal action between the petitioner and the respondent. Clarifies that a petition for an ERPO can be granted without delay regardless of whether there is pending action between the petitioner and the respondent. Provides for a petitioner to use the substitute address designated by the Address Confidentiality Program when filing documents required by new Chapter 50E. Requires a petitioner's address to be kept confidential if the petitioner does not have a current and valid Address Confidentiality Program authorization card if the petitioner submits either specified court orders and a signed statement that the petitioner has good reason to believe that the physical safety of the petitioner or a member of the petitioner's family residing with the petitioner would be jeopardized if the petition's address were open to public inspection. Prohibits the assessment of court costs for filing or service of an ERPO petition or service of any ERPOs. Authorizes electronic filing of all documents filed, issued, registered, or served in an action under new Chapter 50E. Requires annual reporting by the Administrative Office of the Court, beginning December 1, 2025, to the specified NCGA committee and division with five data components specified. 

Requires a summons be issued and served no later than five days prior to the date set for the final ERPO hearing, with the ERPO petition, any ex parte ERPO that has been issued and the notice of hearing on the ex parte ERPO, and a description of an ERPO attached. Directs the clerk of court to effect service through the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Sets forth the required information that must be included in an ERPO, including (1) a statement of the grounds supporting its issuance; (2) the date and time the ERPO was issued and when it expires; (3) whether a mental health or chemical dependency evaluation of the respondent is required; (4) the court's address where a responsive pleading can be filed; (5) a description of the relinquishment and retrieval requirements for firearms, ammunition, and related permits of the respondent; (6) a description of the process for seeking termination of the ERPO; and (7) a statement that violation of the ERPO is a Class A1 misdemeanor. Requires the court to order, upon issuance of an ERPO, that the respondent surrender to the sheriff all firearms, ammunition, permits to purchase firearms, and permits to carry concealed firearms that are in the respondent's care, custody, possession, ownership, or control of the respondent. Requires the court, during a hearing for issuance of an ERPO, to consider whether a mental health evaluation or chemical dependency evaluation of the respondent is appropriate and allows ordering the respondent to undergo evaluation if appropriate.

Details the parameters of issuing a final ERPO, including a hearing on the petition no later than 10 days from either the date an ex parte ERPO was issued, if applicable, or the date the petition was filed. Allows for one continuance of no more than 10 days unless all parties consent or good cause is shown. Permits issuance of a full ERPO when (1) the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent poses a danger of causing physical harm to self or others by having in his or her custody a firearm, (2) process was proper, and (3) notice of hearing was proper.

Sets out separate requirements for the hearing and issuance of an ex parte  ERPO. Requires the hearing, which may be held via video confernece to be held in person on the day the petition is filed or the day immediately following. Allows for the issuance of an ex parte ERPO before a hearing for a final ERPO and without evidence of service of process or notice if the court finds that there is clear and convincing evidence that the respondent poses an imminent danger of causing physical harm to self or others by having a firearm in his or her custody. Sets out additional requirements for an ex parte ERPO granted without notice. 

Requires the respondent to immediately surrender to the sheriff possession of all firearms, ammunition, and permits in the care, custody, possession, ownership, or control of the respondent upon service of an ERPO, or within 24 hours of service at a time and place specified by the sheriff in the event weapons cannot be surrendered at the time the ERPO is served. Requires the sheriff to issue receipt at the time of surrender or seizure, and file receipt with the court within 48 hours after issuing the receipt. Provides for a warrant to be issued for failure to surrender firearms. Allows the sheriff to charge the respondent a reasonable fee for the storage of any firearms and ammunition taken pursuant to an ERPO. Provides for retrieval if the ex parte ERPO expires and the court does not enter a final RPO. Otherwise, allows the respondent to file a motion for return after the expiration or termination of the ERPO, whereby surrendered firearms, ammunition, and permits must be returned to the respondent within 30 days of the motion unless the court finds the respondent is otherwise precluded from owning or possessing a firearm pursuant to state or federal law. Provides for motion for return by a third party owner of firearms or ammunition. Authorizes disposal of surrendered firearms that have not been or cannot be returned as specified.

Sets the duration of an ex parte ERPO to be from its effective date to the date the hearing is held, or if a hearing is not held or a continuance not granted, no more than 10 days from its issuance. Requires a final ERPO to be effective for a fixed period of time not to exceed one year. Provides for renewal of any ERPO by the petitioner one or more times prior to its expiration, providing the initial requirements are satisfied and there has been no material change in the circumstances since its issuance.

Details the process of terminating an ERPO, with the respondent limited to submitting one motion for termination for every 12-month period the full ERPO is in effect. Requires the court to set a hearing no sooner than 10 days and no later than 30 days from the date of service upon the petitioner. Requires the respondent to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that he or she does not pose a danger of causing physical harm to self or others by having a firearm in his or her custody, care, possession, ownership, or control.

Requires the clerk to provide same day notice of ERPO issuance to the sheriff. Requires the sheriff to promptly enter the ERPO into the National Crime Information Center registry; update the orders in the registry upon modification, termination, renewal, or dismissal; and provide 24/7 access to the orders to the courts. Also requires a copy of the ERPO be issued promptly to and retained by the municipal police department. Provides for notice to the respondent if he or she was not present when the ERPO was issued, and for notice to third parties where applicable.

Makes it a Class A1 misdemeanor for any person to possess, purchase, or receive, or attempt to possess, purchase, or receive, a firearm, ammunition, or permits to purchase or carry concealed firearms for so long as an effective ERPO is entered against that person.

Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly make a false statement when petitioning for an ERPO, and for any person to knowingly make a false statement to law enforcement that an ERPO remains in effect.

Clarifies that the remedies provided in new GS Chapter 50E are not exclusive, and that the Chapter does not impose any criminal or civil liability on any person or entity for actions or omission related to obtaining an ERPO.

Amends GS Chapter 15C, providing for the inclusion of petitioners for an ERPO in the Address Confidentiality Program. Makes conforming changes.

Directs the Administrative Office of the Courts to develop the appropriate forms to implement the processes set out in new GS Chapter 50E.

The above provisions are effective October 1, 2025.

Amends GS 50B-3.1 which concerns the issuance of an emergency or ex parte order under GS Chapter 50B, where a defendant is ordered to surrender all firearms, machine guns, ammunition, and related permits in the defendant's care, custody, possession, ownership, or control, if the court finds: (1) the use or threatened use of a deadly weapon by the defendant or a pattern of prior conduct involving the use or threatened use of violence with a firearm against persons; (2) threats to seriously injure or kill the aggrieved party or minor child by the defendant; (3)  threats to commit suicide by the defendant; or (4) serious injuries inflicted upon the aggrieved party or minor child by the defendant. Adds that if the defendant fails to surrender the firearms, ammunitions, and permits to the sheriff within 24 hours of service, the court must order the sheriff to seize the firearms, ammunitions, and permits.

Enacts new GS 143-162.11, which provides as follows. Defines covered application as (1) TikTok or any successor application or service developed or provided by ByteDance Limited or an entity owned by ByteDance Limited or (2) WeChat or any successor application or service developed or provided by Tencent Holdings Limited or an entity owned by Tencent Holdings Limited. Prohibits State employees and employees of a local political subdivision of the State from downloading or using a covered application or accessing the website of a covered application on or using any government-issued device (cellular phone, desktop computer, laptop, or other electronic device capable of connecting to the Internet issued by the State or by a local political subdivision of the State) or information technology. Prohibits a person contracting with the State, or with a local political subdivision of the State, from accessing, downloading or using a covered application on equipment owned or leased by the State or by a local political subdivision of the State. Prohibits a person from accessing, downloading, or using a covered application on any government-issued device or during participation in any State-funded program. Requires state agencies and local political subdivisions of the State to restrict access to the websites of covered applications on government-issued devices and information technology. Defines information technology as defined by GS 143B-1320(a)(11) (set of tools, processes, and methodologies, including, but not limited to, coding and programming; data communications, data conversion, and data analysis; architecture; planning; storage and retrieval; systems analysis and design; systems control; mobile applications; and equipment and services employed to collect, process, and present information to support the operation of an organization. Also includes office automation, multimedia, telecommunications, and any personnel and support personnel required for planning and operations). The term also includes (1) any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment used in the automatic acquisition, storage, analysis, evaluation, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information by a State-funded program, whether the equipment is used by the State-funded program directly or is used by a contractor under a contract with the State-funded program that requires the use of that equipment in the performance of a service or the furnishing of a product and (2) computers, mobile devices, and virtual machines as well as ancillary equipment, peripheral equipment designed to be controlled by the central processing unit of a computer, software, firmware and similar procedures, services (including support services), and related resources.

Requires the removal, deletion, and uninstallation of these applications no later than 30 days after the act is enacted.

Specifies that the act does not prevent prosecutorial and law enforcement agencies from accessing the applications covered by this act for prosecutorial, law enforcement, and investigative purposes. Requires the Departments of Information Technology and Public Safety, by March 1, 2025, to develop jointly the guidelines necessary for prosecutorial and law enforcement agency access to covered applications along with the risk mitigation actions necessary for such use. 

Enacts GS 131E-90.5, limited in scope to patients 18 or older who lack capacity to make or communicate health care decisions and who do not have an individual willing to make health care decisions or consent to discharge on behalf of the patient. Authorizes the hospital providing treatment or service to the patient to petition the superior court in the county in which the hospital is located, with or without the assistance of legal counsel, for an order authorizing the discharge of the patient as ordered by the attending physician. Further limits the use of petitions to instances when the attending physician has the written concurrence of a second physician licensed to practice medicine in this State, and the petition is not filed before five business days of receipt of that written concurrence. Requires the court to grant or deny the petition within five business days after the petition is filed. Effective October 1, 2025.

Beginning July 1, 2025, directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Child Development and Early Education (Division), to increase the child care subsidy market rates to the seventy-fifth percentile as recommended by the 2023 Child Care Market Rate Study (Study) for children in child care centers and homes with a rating of one to five stars.

Appropriates $123.5 million from the General Fund to the Division in recurring funds for each year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium to implement the market rate increases described above. Directs the Division to add 10% into each adjusted rate for a rural county (defined) and for infants and toddlers (birth to three years of age).

Appropriates $8 million from the General Fund, to be allocated to the five listed councils of government in the specified amounts, for 2025-26 to establish a two-year pilot program coordinated by those councils of governments to build child care capacity in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene that are in the affected area, as defined in Section 1A.4 of SL 2024-57, that qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency Individual Assistance and Public Assistance Categories A through G. Requires vendors receiving funds through a request for application issued by the designated council of governments to (1) increase the supply of child care programs by recruiting and coaching prospective child care providers through the initial business planning and implementation process and (2) ensure sustainability by executing a two-year mentorship program for the new child care programs created pursuant to the act. Authorizes the councils of government to use (1) a portion of these funds for additional solutions provided by the vendor within the early childhood education space to meet localized needs and in support of recovery, rehabilitation, and ongoing needs of their member communities and (2) up to 2% of the funds allocated to the respective councils of government under the act for administrative costs. Requires the participating councils of government to submit an initial progress report by January 1, 2026, and additional reports every six months thereafter until the end of the pilot program to the specified NCGA committee and the Fiscal Research Division on at least the four specified areas of focus.

Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends GS 90-85.3A to allow a pharmacist to (1) administer drugs and (2) order and perform a CLIA-waived test to assist with clinical decision making relating to the use and monitoring of medications or treat influenza, COVID-19, pharyngitis caused by group A streptococcus and other health conditions screened by the test in accordance with statewide protocols. Prohibits a pharmacist from treating a health condition under GS 90-85.3A with any controlled Schedule 1-IV controlled substance. Defines CLIA-waived test as a lab test approved by the FDA and determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to qualify for a waiver under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 and safe for use in non-laboratory settings. Effective October 1, 2025.

Enacts GS 58-3-241, requiring health benefit plans to cover healthcare services provided by pharmacists if (1) the service or procedure was performed within the pharmacist’s licensed scope of practice and (2) the health benefit plan would have covered the service if it had been performed by another healthcare provider. Defines healthcare provider, healthcare services, and pharmacist. Specifies that the participation of a pharmacy in a drug benefit provider network of a health benefit plan does not satisfy any requirement that insurers offering health benefit plans include pharmacists in medical benefit provider networks. Applies all requirements relating to coverage of prescription drugs and pharmacy services under GS Chapter 58 governing health benefit plans to third-party administrators as well as insurers. Amends GS 58-3-230 (uniform provider credentialing) to require insurers that delegate credentialing agreements or requirements for pharmacists licensed under Article 4A of GS Chapter 90 of the General Statutes or the relevant laws of another state to a contracted healthcare facility shall accept the credentialing for all pharmacists employed by, or contracted with, those healthcare facilities. Amends GS 58-3-200 (pertaining to miscellaneous insurance requirements) to require, upon notice or request from the insured, for the insurer to determine whether a healthcare provider able to meet the needs of the insured is available to the insured without unreasonable delay by reference to the insured's location and the specific medical needs of the insured. Effective October 1, 2025, and applies to insurance contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after that date.

Requires the State Health Director, in consultation with the NC Board of Pharmacy and Medical Board to develop statewide protocols relating to the modifications to GS 90-85.3A discussed above, including patient parameters necessitating referral to a primary, urgent, or emergency care provider.

Adds GS 143B-28.2, which requires the University of North Carolina and each principal department under GS Chapters 143A and 143B to report monthly to the Department of Administration (Department) an itemized list of all expenditures with a cost of $1.00 or more for the purchase of tangible personal property, real property, and services; and to provide the total expenditures for the month. Requires the Department to publish the report on its website in an accessible form to the public within 10 days of receipt.

Amends GS 7A-343 by adding a duty to the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts to require state courts to collate and report monthly to the Director an itemized list of all expenditures with a cost of $1.00 or more for the purchase of tangible personal property, real property, and services; and to provide the total expenditures for the month. Requires the Director to publish the report on its website in an accessible form to the public within 10 days of receipt.

Adds GS 120-32.05, which requires the Legislative Services Officer (LSO) to collate an itemized list of all expenditures of the General Assembly with a cost of $1.00 or more for the purchase of tangible personal property, real property, and services; and to provide the total expenditures for the month. Requires the LSO to publish the report on its website in an accessible form to the public within 10 days of creating the list.

Clarifies that nothing in these statutes makes public any confidential records or those records protected from disclosure by state or federal law.

Effective July 1, 2025, and the publications required by this act apply on October 1, 2025, and must include expenditures beginning with the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Identical to H 24, filed 1/29/25.

Repeals Section 3K.1 of SL 2024-57, which amended GS 160D-601 to prohibit enacting, in addition to the current prohibition on initiating or enforcing, an amendment to zoning regulations or a zoning map that down-zones property without written consent from all property owners whose property is the subject of the down-zoning amendment. Amended what was considered down-zoning under the statute to also include 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. This was applicable to local government ordinances adopted on or after the date the section became law and any local government ordinance enacting down-zoning of property during the 180 days before the date that this section became effective. The section also voided any ordinances adopted in violation of the statute.

Applies retroactively to December 11, 2024. Makes any adopted ordinance affected by Section 3K.1 of SL 2024-57 in effect as it was on or before December 11, 2024.

Amends GS 90-270.56 by now requiring (was, allowing) the North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board (Board) to issue a license as a marriage and family therapist (was, marriage and family therapist or associate) by reciprocity to any person who applies for the license as prescribed by the Board and meets the additional requirements at all times during the application process.

Amends the additional requirements in the following ways: requires the applicant to have a license for two continuous years (was, five) and to be currently licensed as a marriage and family therapist (was, marriage and family therapist or associate) in another state; adds the new requirement that the applicant has passed the Board’s examination on jurisprudence testing knowledge of state law and rules; allows an applicant to show that they have passed either the National Marriage and Family Therapy examination or the clinical examination required by California’s licensing board regulating marriage and family therapy in that state (was, only the National Marriage and Family Therapy examination). Makes technical change in subdivision (2) replacing has with holds.

Amends GS 90-270.63 to make conforming changes. Permits the Board to adopt rules to implement provisions of this act. Effective October 1, 2025, and applies to applications on or after that date.

Allows for the NC State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (Board) to charge the licensee costs for a disciplinary action (defined) against them under GS 90-157.4 only if the disciplinary action results in a disposition other than a complete exoneration of a licensee. Specifies that the costs may include attorneys’ fees (was, reasonable attorneys’ fees), as well as the newly added meeting costs, investigative fees and any other costs, so long as it does not exceed $2,000. Voids any provision in an informal settlement, consent order, final agency decision, or other dispositive document in which the licensee consents to pay costs in an amount greater than $2,000. Requires, in GS 90-144, the Board to keep full and accurate minutes as a public body under State law that covers the specified matters, including summaries of the contents of the treasurer's, director's, and attorney's reports and each committee report and the motion verbiage and the corresponding vote of each member of the Board for any motion before the Board. Directs that a draft version of the minutes be published within 15 business days after each meeting and the final version of the minutes immediately upon approval of the draft version.

Requires the Board to adopt rules to implement the act.

Effective October 1, 2025, and applies to disciplinary actions (defined) on or after that date.

Modifies the term non-business property set forth in GS 105-275 (property classified and excluded from the tax base) so that it also refers to personal property used for production of income or in connection with a business, or both, provided the value of the property at the time of acquisition is equal to or less than $20,000 and no longer includes household furnishing, clothing, pets, lawn tools, and lawn equipment. Changes the name of the term to qualified personal property. Removes watercraft engines from the property exempted from the term. Clarifies that the motor vehicles, aircraft, and watercraft exempt under the term are those that are required to be registered the applicable provisions of State or federal law. Makes organizational changes.

Specifies that a person must now specifically list any changes, additions, subtractions with respect to a property where there is a duty to list under GS 105-308 (was, just list the property). Directs that if a person does not timely list property, there is a presumption that no changes, additions, or subtractions with respect to the property to be listed have occurred. Makes clarifying and conforming changes.

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

Designates real and personal property located in the affected area impacted by Hurricane Helen, as defined in Section 1A.4 of SL 2024-57, a special class of property under Article V, Section 7 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution and must have interest accruing on the property administered in accordance with the act. Instructs that notwithstanding GS 105-360, interest on an  underpayment of property tax on real or personal property located in the affected area that (1) accrues for the period of January 7, 2025, through December 31, 2026, and (2) is due on September 1, 2024, will not be collected or, to the extent it is collected, will be carried forward as a credit against the tax due the following year. Specifies that this provision does not apply to classified motor vehicles.

Amends GS 15A-401 (Arrest by law-enforcement officer) by creating new subsection (d2) (Protection from Retaliation), which protects law enforcement officers who report what they believe to be excessive use of force under subsection (d1) (Duty to Intervene and Report Excessive Use of Force) from termination or retaliation. Makes filing a knowingly false report under subsection (d1) a Class 2 misdemeanor. 

Creates new GS 17C-17, which obligates a criminal justice officer in the line of duty to attempt to intervene and prevent (1) violations of federal, state, city, or county laws, ordinances, or regulations; (2) fraud; (3) misappropriation of state, city, or county resources; (4) activity that poses a substantial danger to public health and safety; or (5) gross mismanagement including waste of public monies or the abuse of authority. Also obligates a criminal justice officer to report any conduct they reasonably believe falls into categories (1) through (5) within 72 hours, even if they did not intervene. Protects a criminal justice officer who files a report under this section from termination or retaliation. Makes filing a knowingly false report under the section a Class 2 misdemeanor. 

Creates new GS 17E-17, which extends the same obligations and protections to justice officers and contains text effectively identical to the new GS 17C-17. 

Appropriates $50,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Justice for 2025-26 to be allocated to the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission to be used to train criminal justice officers regarding the statutory changes made in this act.

Appropriates $50,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Justice for 2025-26 to be allocated to the Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission to be used to train justice officers regarding the statutory changes made in this act.

Effective and applicable to offenses and retaliatory actions taken on or after December 1, 2025.

Repeals Section 9.1(d) of SL 2014-100, which established that annual longevity payments for educators are built into their salary schedules. 

Sets the rates for annual longevity payments for teachers and instructional support personnel for 2025-26 at: 1.5% of base salary for 10-14 years of State service; 2.25% of base salary for 15-19 years of State service; 3.25% for 20-24 years of State service; and 4.5% for base salary for 25 or more years of State service. Requires payment in one lump sum.

Requires that longevity payments for principals and assistant principals be provided to State employees under the Human Resources Act for 2025-26.

Appropriates $140,300,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for 2025-26 to restore longevity payments pursuant to the act. 

Effective July 1, 2025.

Repeals GS 115C-302.10, which set out qualifications to be met in order for certified school nurses, teachers, and  instructional support personnel to receive certain education-based salary supplements. 

Requires that for 2025-26, the State Board of Education policy TCP-A-006, as it was in effect on June 30, 2013, is to be used to determine if teachers and instructional personnel are paid on the "M" schedule and whether they receive a salary supplement for academic preparation at the six-year or doctoral degree level.

Appropriates $8 million in recurring funds for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction to reinstate education-based salary supplements for teachers and instructional support personnel according to this act.

Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends GS 105-153.5 by increasing the amount of the income tax standard deduction to the following: (1) married, filing jointly/surviving spouse, $26,000 (was, $25,500); (2) head of household, $19,500 (was, $19,125); (3) single, $13,000 (was, $12,750); and (4) married, filing separately, $13,000 (was, $12,750). Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Prevents the State Education Assistance Authority (Authority) from awarding any Opportunity Scholarship grants to new persons who did not receive those grants in the prior school year, starting with the 2025-26 school year. Specifies the General Assembly’s intent to eliminate the program beginning in the 2037-38 school year or once all recipients become ineligible for receipt of the scholarship grants.

Rescinds the listed appropriations to the Opportunity Scholarship Grant Fund Reserve (Reserve) in GS 115C-562.8. Instead, for the 2027-28 year and years afterwards, appropriates $541,540,500 from the General Fund to Reserve to be used for the scholarships.

Reduces funds appropriated for Opportunity Scholarship grants as follows: Of the recurring funds appropriated to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina for the opportunity scholarship program pursuant to SL 2021-180, by the sum of $30 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Of the funds appropriated to the Reserve for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and allocated from the Reserve for the award of scholarship grants in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, by the sum of $28,460,000 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Of the funds appropriated to the Reserve as follows: $83,460,000 in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and $50 million in recurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Articulates the General Assembly’s intent that any funding increases in the 2027-2029 fiscal biennium and future biennia for the award of Opportunity Scholarship grant funds will be limited to no more than the annual percentage increase in funding for public schools as reflected in the State Public School Fund.

Appropriates (1) $113,460,000 in recurring funds for the 2025-26 fiscal year and $28.46 million in nonrecurring funds and (2) $50 million in recurring funds for the 2026-27 fiscal year from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction to be allocated to local school administrative units, based on average daily membership, to address the needs in our public schools.

Effective July 1, 2025, and applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year.

Reenacts GS 115C-302.4 (high-need retired teachers), as it existed immediately prior to its expiration. Amends GS 135-3, concerning membership in the Retirement System for Teachers and State Employees (TSERS), to provide that the computation of postretirement earnings of a beneficiary who is a high-need retired teacher does not include earnings while the beneficiary is employed as a high-need retired teacher, and the beneficiary must not be restored to service as a teacher or employee. Requires a local board of education to annually inform the Retirement System, by September 15, if it will not employ high-need retired teachers for that school year. Specifies that the retirement allowance of a beneficiary who retired on an early or service retirement does not cease due to reemployment as a high-need retired teacher. Provides that a beneficiary reemployed as a high-need retired teacher is not entitled to any benefits otherwise provided under GS Chapter 135 as a result of this period of employment. Makes conforming changes. Extends employer reporting requirements under GS 135-3(a)(8)c1 to high-need retired teachers.

Includes high-need retired teachers in definition of employee in GS 135-1. Amends GS 135-48.40 to include high-need retired teachers in those who are eligible for coverage under the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees on a partially contributory basis. 

Provides that if the IRS determines that any provision of the act jeopardizes TSERS, then the section is repealed on the last day of the month following the month of receipt of that determination by the State Treasurer. Provides for notice by the Treasurer to the Revisor of Statutes, local school administrative units, and on its website. Requires all local school administrative units to notify all high-need retired teachers employed by its local board of education of any repeal.

Provides that any beneficiary employed by a local board of education as a high-need retired teacher is not eligible to elect into a position that would lead the beneficiary to be eligible to accrue any additional benefits. Requires any failure of a local board of education or a beneficiary to comply with the foregoing to be corrected by the Executive Director of the Retirement System as he or she determines may be appropriate; costs of the correction are the sole responsibility of the local board of education and must be transferred to the Pension Accumulation Fund.

Effective when the act becomes law and expires June 30, 2027.

Enacts GS 153A-466 (compensation paid to benefit providers-counties) and GS 160A-485.1 (same-cities) requiring each insurance provider or provider of other fringe benefits, including voluntary benefits, to local government employees, their dependents, or retirees from the local government entity to annually submit to that entity a full compensation disclosure of all funds paid to the provider (i.e., an agent, broker, consultant, third-party administrator, pharmacy benefits manager, or insurance company) by the local government. Directs the disclosure to include all income paid directly or indirectly to the provider as described and an affirmation that none of the compensation paid by the local government has been provided to any employee or election official of the local government, either directly or indirectly. 

Authorizes under GS 131E-84 (waiver of rules and increase in bed capacity during an emergency under the Hospital Licensure Act), in the event the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issues a temporary waiver or modification under federal law, then all rules of the NC Medical Care Commission (Commission) pertaining to hospitals are automatically modified or waived to the extent necessary to allow for consistency with the federal waiver or modification and shall continue in place at least until the federal waiver or modification has expired. Clarifies that this does not prevent the Division of Health Service Regulation (Division) from further waiving or modifying any rules of the Commission while a temporary waiver or modification is in effect under this subsection as long as the waiver or modification by the Division reduces regulatory requirements on hospitals in a manner that is consistent with federal law. Makes conforming changes.

Contains whereas clauses. 

Establishes the Sewer Repair Task Force (Task Force) to (1) review and assess the current state of wastewater infrastructure in the state; (2) develop strategies and plans for the effective implementation of wastewater treatment projects, for addressing existing challenges and barriers to project financing and construction, and for addressing future needs within the state; and (3) identify funding mechanisms, including potential contributions from industrial wastewater discharges, to support wastewater infrastructure development. Sets Task Force membership at 18 members, appointed as described. Provides for co-chairs each appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and Speaker of the House from among the membership of the Task Force. Provides for meetings and quorum. Authorizes the Task Force to contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as specified. Provides for professional and clerical staff assigned by the Legislative Services Officer and reimbursement of certain expenses, including travel. Directs the Task Force to consult with the named stakeholders in conducting its study. Requires meetings to start on or after July 1, 2025. Provides for a final report on or before December 1, 2026, covering the results of the study and any legislative recommendations to be submitted to the named NCGA committee and offices. Sunsets the Task Force on the earlier of December 1, 2026, or upon the filing of its final report.

Appropriates $50 million in nonrecurring funds for the 2025-26 year from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Quality to provide a grant to the South Granville Water and Sewer Authority to be allocated for expansion of wastewater facilities serving Creedmoor ad Butner, upgrade wastewater treatment facilities to meet new federal PFAS standards, water meter modernization, and replacement of lead pipes, in the specified amounts. Effective July 1, 2025. 

Amends GS 115C-121 to require the State Board of Education (Board) to adopt rules requiring all public school units to evaluate the following when acquiring technology, computer hardware, and software: (1) long-term cost of ownership, including costs of repairing the technology, computer hardware, or software; (2) any flexibility for innovation during the life of the technology, computer hardware, or software; and (3) any anticipated resale or salvage value at the end of the target life cycle for the technology, computer hardware, or software based on the average resale or salvage value of similar technology, computer hardware, or software as a percentage of the initial cost of purchase. Also requires the Board to report annually to the specified NCGA committee on the break/fix rate of technology across all public schools, including a summary of the data reported by public schools as well as recommendations on how to reduce the break/fix rates in the future.

Amends GS 115C-47 to require local boards of education to report annually to the Board and specified NCGA committee on the break/fix rate (as defined) of school technology devices and specifies what must be included in the report.

Amends the following statutes to require the specified entity to report to the Board on their break/fix rate of technology: (1) GS 115C-150.12C (schools for deaf and blind students); (2) new GS 115C-218.22 (charter schools); (3) 115C-238.66 (regional schools); and (4) GS 116-239.8 (laboratory schools). Requires the first reports by August 15, 2026, based on data from the 2025-26 school year.

Enacts new GS 115D-9.40 (applicable to the State Board of Community College) and amends GS 116-11 (applicable to the UNC Board of Governors) requiring all community colleges/UNC constituent institutions to evaluate the following when acquiring technology, computer hardware, and software: (1) the long-term cost of ownership, including costs of repairing the technology, computer hardware, or software; and (2) any flexibility for innovation during the life of the technology, computer hardware, or software (additionally requires UNC constituent institutions to evaluate any anticipated resale or salvage value at the end of the target life cycle for the technology, computer hardware, or software based on the average resale or salvage value of similar technology, computer hardware, or software as a percentage of the initial cost of purchase).

Applies beginning with the 2025-26 academic year.

Amends GS 51-2 to eliminate the existing exceptions for persons to marry under the age of 18, thereby making the legal age to marry (18) absolute. Makes conforming changes to GS 51-3, GS 51-16 and GS 51-17, relating to unlawful marriages and marriage licenses. Makes conforming repeals of GS 51-2.1 (concerning marriage of certain underage parties) and GS 51-2.2 (defining parent as the term relates to annulment of unlawful underage marriages). Applies to marriages solemnized on or after October 1, 2025.

Part I.

Requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to alert law enforcement agencies to available grant funds and assist law enforcement agencies with drafting and submitting grant proposals and applications.  Appropriates $1 million in recurring funds for 2025-26 from the General Fund to DOJ to hire grant writers to assist law enforcement agencies with the above described grant proposals and applications. Effective July 1, 2025.

Part II.

Appropriates $1 million in recurring funds for 2025-26 from the General Fund to DOJ to award grants to law enforcement agencies for initiatives supporting community policing. Effective July 1, 2025.

Part III.

Appropriates $1.5 million in recurring funds for 2025-26 from the General Fund to DOJ to be used for grants: (1) provided to law enforcement agencies to be awarded to law enforcement officers exhibiting exemplary service and (2) awarded to law enforcement agencies for meeting racial or gender diversity benchmarks, as established by DOJ. Caps grant awards at $10,000. Effective July 1, 2025.

Part IV.

Amends GS 15A-401(d)(2), which sets out when a law-enforcement officer is justified in using deadly physical force, by making the following changes. Adds that the use of deadly force includes strangleholds, lateral vascular neck restraints, carotid restraints, or any other tactics that restrict oxygen or blood flow to the head or neck. Requires in all circumstances in which a law-enforcement officer uses force of any kind, that a law-enforcement officer use the minimum amount of force reasonably necessary to accomplish the law-enforcement action and attempt to use de-escalation tactics. Effective October 1, 2025.

Requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association and the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, to develop uniform use-of-force policies that may be adopted by all law enforcement agencies in the state. Requires the policies to be submitted to the specified NCGA committee by December 1, 2025, published on DOJ's website, and distributed digitally to all law enforcement agencies in the state. 

Part V.

Amends GS 17C-6 to also give the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and GS 17E-4 to give the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission the power to establish a minimum age requirement of 21 for qualification for entry level employment. Effective January 1, 2026. 

Amends GS 17C-13 and GS 17E-12 to give those same Commissions access to a person's misdemeanor conviction records and allow the Commission to deny, suspend, or revoke a person's certification based solely on that person's conviction of four or more misdemeanors, regardless of whether they were expunged. Effective January 1, 2026, and applies to officers hired on or after that date and officers employed on or after that date who are convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor on or after that date.

Part VI.

Appropriates $2 million in recurring funds for 2025-26 from the General Fund to DOJ for grants to law enforcement agencies to temporarily provide partial or total funding for detective or other investigative law enforcement positions, in order to aid in the investigation of person crimes that would constitute a charge of a Class D felony or higher. Effective July 1, 2025.

Part VII.

Includes a severability clause.

Amends GS 163-82.3 and GS 163-82.6 authorizing county boards of elections to accept automatic voter registration.

Amends GS 163-82.19 to require, beginning January 1, 2026, the Division of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the State Board of Elections, to develop and implement a method by which eligible individuals shall be automatically registered to vote.  Requires DMV officials taking driver's license applications to affirmatively inquire whether the applicant wishes to register to vote or update their registration, note the applicant's response, and register the applicant to vote if the applicant wishes.  The applicant must attest to the information provided for voter registration. Confidentiality of voter information must be maintained by the State Board of Elections.

The above provisions are effective January 1, 2026.

Amends GS 163-82.20 to require, beginning January 1, 2027, voter registration agencies (which include state offices that accept applications for public assistance, services for persons with disabilities, and unemployment benefits) to provide, in consultation with the State Board of Elections, an application process for automatic voter registration with each recertification, renewal, or change of address relating to the service or assistance of the agency.  Specifies certain procedural requirements substantially similar to those provided for in GS 163-82.19, as amended. Does not require an agency to provide automatic voter registration to a person with a disability at the person's home. Requires electronic transmittal of applications to the appropriate board of elections.

Amends GS 163-82.20A to authorize automatic voter registration at the time of restoration of citizenship, effective January 1, 2026. Further amends the statute to authorize online voter registration at the time of restoration of citizenship, effective January 1, 2027.

Amends GS 115D-5 and GS 116-11 to require, beginning January 1, 2027, the State Board of Community Colleges and the UNC Board of Governors, in consultation with the State Board of Elections, to provide each person enrolled and registering for courses as a student at a State community college or a State college or university in the UNC System the option for automatic voter registration. Specifies certain procedural requirements substantially similar to those provided for in GS 163-82.19. Provides that applications to register accepted by a State community college or constituent institution of UNC entitles a registrant to vote in any primary, general, or special election unless the registrant made application later than the 25th calendar day immediately preceding the election; permits continuing acceptance of applications during that period.

The above provisions are effective January 1, 2027.

Requires the State Board of Elections to develop education and outreach programs to inform voters of automatic registration procedures established by the act.

Subject to approval by voters at the general election in November 2026, removes Section 6 of Article XIV of the North Carolina Constitution, which made marriage between one man and one woman the only domestic legal union that is valid or recognized in North Carolina. If approved, effective January 1, 2027.

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits (DHB), to submit by July 1, 2025, to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) any amendment to the 1115 waiver for Medicaid Transformation necessary for approval to effectuate the following changes related to BH IDD Tailored Plans: (1) beneficiaries may opt to remain in the Medicaid fee-for-service program (Medicaid Direct) for physical healthcare services when any of the beneficiary's healthcare providers are not contracted with the LME/MCO Tailored Plan network, if staying in Medicaid Direct is necessary as a reasonable accommodation of the beneficiary's need for continuity of care and (2) based on differing service arrays, available services, or provider networks, beneficiaries may opt into a BH IDD tailored plan operating outside of the region where they reside.

Requires DHB to report by August 1, 2025, to the specified NCGA committee with recommendations for promoting competition among local management entities/managed care organizations in a way that fosters innovation and leads to better care for Medicaid beneficiaries. Also requires inclusion of a copy of all State Plan amendments or other documents submitted to CMS in accordance with the above provision, and legislative changes needed.