House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Amends GS 58-64A-370, the twelve-member Continuing Care Advisory Committee so that six members are appointed by the Commissioner, three are appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and three appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (was, all members appointed by the Commissioner, with two members consisting of, and nominated by, the North Carolina Continuing Care Residents Association and two representatives consisting of, and nominated by, LeadingAge North Carolina). Makes conforming changes.

Part I.

Amends GS 163-228 to make confidential any information the State Board of Elections (State Board) or county board possess that would disclose that an identifiable voter has requested an absentee ballot, to become a public record upon the opening of the voting place, unless otherwise protected from disclosure by law.

Amends GS 163-233 to require the county board of elections (county board) to also create a list of applications made for absentee ballots received and approved (was, received) by the county board; the list is a public record.

Part II.

Amends GS 163-182.2, as amended, by amending the process for counting ballots cast on election day as follows. Now requires that counting of ballots cast during early voting begin at 5:00 pm on election day: however, allows counting to begin between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on election day if a resolution has been adopted at least two days before the election stating the hour and place of counting the ballots. Requires such a resolution to be posted on the county board's website and distributed to all persons required to receive notice under GS 143-318.12(b)(2) (notice of public meetings except emergency meetings). Prohibits the county board from announcing the result of the count before 7:30 pm on election day. No longer specifies the time of day for counting provisional official ballots. Allows counties to review provisional ballots cast during early voting for approval and take steps to prepare for the count before election day with the same procedures used for absentee ballots, as long as those steps do not reveal election results to any person not engaged in the actual count before 7:30 pm on election day. Adds that when a person has voted on a provisional official ballot after completing an affidavit because of failure to have adequate photo identification and the county board has not found the affidavit to be valid by the required time for counting provisional ballots because the board believes the affidavit is false, then the board must determine whether to count the provisional official ballot by the county canvas.

Amends GS 163-230.1, as amended, to consider an absentee ballot return envelope with a curable deficient that is transmitted to the county board, if cure documentation is received by 12:00 pm on the fourth (was, third) business day after the election. Amends the time period during which the county board must hold public meetings to act on absentee ballot applications so that it is the fifth Tuesday before an election through election day (previously no end date was specified) in any election in which absentee ballots are authorized, with meetings held each Tuesday. Amends the notice that the county board must give if it changes the time of the meeting or adds additional meetings, so that now the notice must be posted on the county board’s website and distributed to all persons required to receive notice under GS 143-318.12(b)(2) at least two day before the meeting (was, must be published in a newspaper circulated in the county at least 30 days before the election).

Amends GS 163-234, as amended, to prohibit the county board from adjourning its meeting to county absentee ballots until the count is complete. Allows the absentee ballot counting to begin between 9 am and 5 pm upon the adoption of a resolution at least two days before the election in which the hour and place of counting must be stated. Requires such a resolution to be posted on the county board's website and distributed to all persons required to receive notice under GS 143-318.12(b)(2) (was, replaces requirements for publication in a newspaper or on a radio or tv station for specified periods of time). Requires that the county board also count absentee ballots that have cured deficiencies during its meeting to count absentee ballots that happens after the election and before canvass; makes conforming changes.

Part III.

Amends GS 163-41 concerning the appointment of precinct judges and chief, to provide that the appointment of a person who is a nonresident of the precinct ends if the county board appoints a qualified resident regardless of party affiliation if the nonresident was unaffiliated, to replace the nonresident judge/chief judge. Adds that no more than one judge in each precinct can be appointed upon the recommendation of the same political party that recommended the chief judge. Makes changes to the process for recommending people for appointment as chief judge or judge so that the chair of each of the two political parties in the county having the greatest number of registered voters in the State recommend four registered voters who meet the specified qualifications. Changes the voting threshold for the process under which the party chairs’ recommendations are insufficient and the county board must name judges, to require a bipartisan majority vote (was, unanimous vote). Also amends the process for filling vacancies in the chief judge or judge positions. Makes additional clarifying and technical changes.

Amends GS 163-42 as follows. Removes the prohibition on appointing no more than two assistants in precincts with 500 or less registered voters. Amends the process for recommending precinct assistants so that the chair of each of the two parties in the county having the greatest number of registered voters in the State can recommend up to 10. Changes the voting threshold for the process under which the party chairs’ recommendations are insufficient and the county board must name assistants, and for the appointment of emergency election-day assistants, to require a bipartisan majority vote (was, unanimous vote). Removes the prohibition on appointing nonresidents of the precinct to a majority of the precinct assistant positions in a precinct. Removes the provision requiring the State Board to determine for each election how many emergency election day assistants each county can have. Changes the requirements for the party apportionment of emergency election day assistants.

Part IV.

Amends GS 163-16 concerning the acceptable forms of photo identification when voting to require various forms of identification, no longer requiring them to be identification cards. Makes conforming changes to GS 163-166.17 (use of UNC and community college identifications) and GS 163-166.18 (use of employee identifications).

Part V.

Amends GS 163-55 by adding that a voter is not subject to challenge if the voter was qualified to cast the ballot at the time it was received by the county board; provided, however, that a voter who casts a ballot in a general election before turning 18 but who will be as of the date of the general election must not be disqualified on account of age.

Part VI.

Enacts new GS 163-90.4 requiring the State Board, after each election, to conduct a statewide audit to identify absentee ballots and ballots cast during early voting that are ineligible to be counted and give the results to the county boards by 5:00 pm on the fourth business day before canvass. Requires the county boards to review the audit, analyze their voter records, and serve a challenge by 5:00 pm on the third business day before the canvas on any voter that the county board has determined has cast an ineligible ballot.

Part VII.

Amends GS 163-22 by amending the conditions under which a resolution can authorize the State Board to reduce the time by which absentee ballots must be printed and distributed from the election from 50 days to 45 days, only if unforeseen circumstances make compliance with the 50 days impracticable (was, limited to primary elections and with certain allowances for the general election and didn’t require unforeseen circumstances).

Amends GS 163-113 by adding that in an election of presidential electors, if a candidate is nominated by a political party, only the political party making the nomination can withdraw the nomination, and the political party executive committee must certify that withdrawal in writing to the State Board before the first day on which military and overseas absentee ballots are transmitted to voters.

Amends GS 163-114 by amending the process for filling a vacancy in the nomination of a candidate for one of the listed offices when the candidates dies, resigns, or becomes ineligible, by removing provisions that apply when nomination is made after ballots have been printed, and provision that applies when vacancies occur due to a cause other than death and is more than 120 days before the general election.  

Enacts new GS 163-115.5 requiring the board with jurisdiction over a ballot item under GS 163-182.4 (setting our jurisdictions of county boards and the State Board) to remove a candidate from the general election ballot if the board receives notification no later than 20 days before absentee ballots are authorized to be distributed for the general election, that the candidate has died, withdrawn, or for any reason has become ineligible or disqualified. Allows (except as provided in GS 163-113) either the candidate or the relevant executive committee of the candidate's political party, if the candidate is a nominee of the party, to provide the required notice. Allows the nominee's name to be replaced on the ballot only if the replacement has been certified to the board by 20 days before absentee ballots are authorized for distribution for the election. Specifies existing provision that apply if the withdrawal, disqualification, or replacement occurs later than 20 days before absentee ballots are authorized for distribution for the general election. Requires when a vacancy in office occurs and that vacancy requires an election to fill the unexpired term without a candidate filing period, any nominees authorized for the election to be certified to the board of elections with jurisdiction over a ballot item under no later than eight days before absentee ballots are authorized for distribution for the election. Excludes from this statute GS 103-5(a) (allowing when the day or the last day for doing any act required or permitted by law to be performed in a public office or courthouse falls on weekend or holiday when the public office or courthouse is closed, the act may be performed on the next day that the public office or courthouse is open). Amends GS 163-115 the provisions related to obtaining nominations when the vacancy is for clerk of superior court, an elective State or district office other than US House, county board of commissioners, or US Senator to require that those nominations be subject to the deadlines in new GS 163-115.5. Also makes conforming changes to GS 163-122, GS 163-165.3, and GS 163-294.1.

Amends GS 163-227.10 to require absentee ballots be provided 50 days before the date on which any election is conducted (was, applicable only to elections other than the statewide general election, which required ballots to be provided 60 days before election). Requires for second primaries that the county board provide absentee ballots no later than 45 days before the second primary.

Amends GS 163-229 to require the county board to print absentee ballot envelops no later than 50 days before an election (was, 60 days before a general election and 50 days before a statewide primary). Makes conforming changes to provision of the instruction sheets.

Amends GS 163-230.1, as amended, by changing the timing for mailing applications and absentee ballots to no earlier than 50 days before an election.

Amends GS 163-258.9 to require the county board to transmit a ballot to voters who submit a military-overseas ballot application by 50 days before any election, unless 45 days is allowed by the State Board or there is an appeal that has not been conclude, in which case the county board must provide the ballots as quickly as possible upon the conclusion of that appeal. Requires for a second primary (was, only a second primary that includes a candidate for federal office) that the county board transmit a ballot by no later than 45 days before the second primary.

Part VIII.

Amends GS 163-209 to require that that the names of the electors of President and Vice-President be filed with the Secretary of State no later than 60 days before the general election. Requires the names of the candidates for President and Vice-President nominated by a recognized political party or who has qualified as an unaffiliated candidate to be filed with the State Board by 60 days before the general election, and for those names to be printed on the ballot.

Part IX.

Amends GS 163-278.10A by increasing the threshold for exempting certain candidates from financial reporting from contribution of $1,000 or less, to $3,000 or less, also expands upon those candidates to include district court judges and superior court judges. Makes conforming changes.

Part X.

Amends GS 163-278.12 to require filing a statement of independent expenditure for those in excess of $1,000, (was, $100).  

Part XI.

Amends GS 163-221 to a prohibition on compensating a person based on the number of signatures collected on a petition calling for any election or referendum. Amends GS 163-274 to make it a Class 2 misdemeanor to compensate a person based on the number of signatures obtained on such a petition.

Part XII.

Amends GS 163-96, defining political party to require a petition for the formulation of a new political party to be submitted to the State Board by noon on the first day of May (was, June). Specifies that the petition for the creation of a new party must be on a form that is prescribed by the State Board. Requires the petitions to be submitted to the chair of the county board where the signatures were obtained by the specified time on the 30th day (was, 15th day) preceding the date the petitions must be filed with the State Board; requires verification to be completed within four weeks instead of two.

Amends GS 163-122 (concerning unaffiliated candidates nominated by petition) as follows. Modifies the deadline for filing written petitions for statewide candidacy, district offices under the jurisdiction of the State Board, General Assembly seats in which the district lies in more than one county, and offices for superior court judge or district court judge from noon on the date of the primary election to 5:00 pm on the twentieth business day after canvass of the primary. Requires the State Board to determine the sufficiency of such petitions and to immediately communicate that decision to the petitioning candidate.  For all other candidates other than offices for superior court judge or district court judge requires petitions for statewide candidacy to be presented to the chair of the County Board by noon on the day of the primary election. Specifies that those petitions only contain the names of registered voters in that county. Requires the chair to complete the verification and return it to the person from the State Board who presented it for checking by no later than 15 days after the canvass of the primary. Removes option for verification through Executive Director of the State Board. Changes the deadline for filing petitions of candidacy for partisan municipal office to noon on the day of the primary (was, timeframe set under GS 163-296). Requires the County Board to verify the filed petition within 15 days of the primary (was, the canvas). Makes conforming changes. Removes candidate filing deadline for unaffiliated candidates in cities conducting partisan elections set forth in GS 163-296 (nominations by petition) so that such filing deadlines are instead governed by GS 163-122.

Part XIII.

Requires notices of assessment to contain information about filing good cause waivers of the civil penalties for late filing imposed by GS 163-278.34, to be requested within the time specified. Provides for notice if the State Board does not find good cause. Requires notices of assessment of civil penalties for illegal contributions and expenditures to contain information about contesting the assessment within the specified timeframe. Makes technical changes.

Part XIV.

Changes the election dates for the following primaries, elections, or runoff elections, for offices filled by election of the people in cities, towns, incorporated villages, and special districts set forth in GS 163-279: (1) if the election is nonpartisan and the nonpartisan primary method of election is used, changes the nonpartisan primary date from the fourth Tuesday before the election to the second Tuesday after Labor Day and (2) if the election is nonpartisan and the election and runoff election method of election is used, changes the election date from the fourth Tuesday before the Tuesday after the first Monday in November to the second Tuesday after Labor Day.

Part XV.

Amends the provisions in GS 163-20, as amended by SL 2024-57, pertaining to meetings of the State Board to investigate alleged violations of GS Chapter 163, by now giving the State Board the discretion to hear such matters in the county (was, required to meet in that county) where the violations are alleged to have occurred and requires the prior request of any three members. Makes conforming changes.

Part XVI.

Provides a separate filing deadline in GS 163-89 of no later than two business days after the primary or election for challenges to absentee ballots in a municipal primary or election conducted under Article 24 of GS Chapter 163, where the canvass is to be held on the seventh day following the primary or election.

Part XVII.

Replaces references to “precinct” with “precinct, ward, or other election district,” in GS 163-55. Now specifies every person born in the United States, and every person who has been naturalized, and who shall have resided in the State of North Carolina and in the precinct, ward, or other election district in which the person offers to vote for 30 days next preceding an election, will, if otherwise qualified, be qualified to vote in any election held in this State (was, qualified to vote in the precinct in which the person resides).  Specifies that if an election district encompasses more than one precinct, then for purposes of those offices to be elected from that election district, a person will also be deemed to be a resident in the election district which includes the precinct in which that person resides. Authorizes an election district to include a portion of a county, an entire county, a portion of the State, or the entire State. Directs that when a precinct has been divided among two or more election districts for purposes of elections to certain offices, then with respect to elections to those offices, a person is deemed to be a resident in only that election district which includes the area of the precinct in which that person resides.

Now also requires a county board to count an individual's provisional official ballot for all ballot items on which it determines that the individual was eligible under State or federal law to vote, as part of the conditions under which a person can cast a provisional ballot under GS 163-166.11. Amends GS 163-182.2(a)(4), as amended by Section 3A.4(e) of SL 2024-57, as follows. If the county board finds that an individual voting a provisional official ballot is not eligible to vote in one or more ballot items on the official ballot, the board cannot count the official ballot in those ballot items but must count the official ballot in any ballot items for which the individual is eligible to vote (was, except as provided in GS 163-82.15(e), if the county board finds that an individual voting a provisional official ballot (i) did not vote in the proper precinct (ii) is not registered in the county as provided or (iii) is otherwise not eligible to vote, required that the ballot not be counted, without any examination of individual ballot items). Makes technical and organizational changes.

Amends GS 163-59 to allow a person who will become qualified by age to register and vote in the general election for which the primary is held, even though not so qualified by the date of the primary to register and vote in the primary and general election on the day thereof pursuant to GS 163-82.6B (same-day registration). Clarifies that the registration deadlines for primaries or election in GS 163-82.6 apply except to the extent the same-day provisions under GS 163-82.6B apply. Authorizes preregistration to vote under GS 163-82.1 (general principals of voter registration) for a person who is at least 16 years of age but will not be 18 years of age by the date of the next election and who is otherwise qualified to register. Directs that the person will be automatically registered upon reaching the age of eligibility following verification of the person's qualifications and address in accordance with GS 163-82.7. Requires the State Board to develop a preregistration form in GS 163-82.3. Makes conforming changes to the contents of an application form in GS 163-82.4 to GS 163-82.19(a) (voter registration at drivers license offices), GS 163-82.20 (voter registration at other public agencies) and GS 163-82.23 (voter registration at high schools) to account for preregistration. Makes technical changes.

Part XVIII.

Expands the definition of a covered voter under the Uniform Military and Overseas Voter Act to include a voter who is registered to vote in this State and who has been deployed by the voter's employer away from the voter's county of residence to respond to a disaster declared by the Governor or the President of the United States within 60 days before an election.

Part XIX.

Applies to elections held on or after the act becomes law.

Section 1.

Enacts GS 115C-81.16, preventing instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality from being included in curriculum provided in kindergarten through sixth grade, whether the information is provided by school personnel or third parties. Prevents students in grades seven through twelve from participating in instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality without the prior written consent of their parent or legal guardian. Requires public school units to adopt a policy and a mechanism to allow a parent or legal guardian to annually consent to such instruction.  Enacts GS 115C-81.29, requiring each public school unit to provide a human growth and development program in grades four and five, which cannot include information on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality. Confines the topics presented at grade four to a summary of the biological changes during puberty with a recognition that puberty is experienced at different ages, depending on the individual. In fifth grade, outlines five topics that must be covered in single-sex groups, including illustrating how societal influences can impact reproductive health behavioral choices and consequences. Requires parental consent for students to participate.

Makes conforming changes to GS 115C-81.25 (concerning health education requirements).  Now tasks public school units with administering reproductive health and safety education programs from seventh grade onward (was, local school administrative units) in GS 115C-81.30. Requires annual parental consent for student participation (currently, parents can withdraw consent). Prevents local boards of education from expanding on the subject areas listed in GS 115C-81.25. Makes conforming changes, including to the statute's title.

Requires the State Board of Education (Board), in adopting new or revised K-12 Healthful Living standards to include the requirements of GS 115C-98.1 as enacted by the act and not add any additional standards for the human growth and development program in grades four and five or for the reproductive health and safety education program commencing in seventh grade.

Applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Section 2.

Defines health and safety program and makes organizational changes to GS 115C-85 (textbook needs). Enacts GS 115C-98.1, requiring a governing body of a public school unit to hold a public hearing upon notice, as described, when adopting, modifying, or amending a health and safety program and the instructional and supplemental materials for that program. Enacts GS 115C-98.2 requiring governing bodies of public school units to establish criteria for selection of library books (defined), including a recommendation review process, and select and procure library books based on recommendations from the superintendent in line with the following criteria:

• Supports and enriches students' personal learning and the standard course of study for grades and courses offered at that school.
• Meets high standards in literary, artistic, and aesthetic quality, as well as technical aspects and physical format.
• Is appropriate for the subject area and for the age, intellectual development, and ability level of the students for whom the materials are selected and received access level designation.
• For nonfiction resources, incorporates accurate and authentic factual content from authoritative sources.
• Balances financial cost with need.
• Contain material appropriate for students and should reflect the age and grade levels of students enrolled in the school. Cannot contain material that are harmful to minors, as defined in GS 14-190.13 and must comply with the federal Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), 47 U.S.C. § 254(h)(5), including technology protection measures.
• For fiction, narrative nonfiction, including memoirs and biographies, and graphic novels, in addition to the other requirements of this subsection, a determination that that library book is:
• Integral to the instructional program.
• Reflects the learning needs of the students and school personnel.
• Is appropriate for the reading levels and understanding of students.
• Is included because of the library book's literary or artistic value.
• If narrative nonfiction, presents information with accuracy and clarity.

Specifies that selection of materials is an ongoing process that includes the removal of collections determined to no longer meet the criteria for selection and the periodic replacement or repair of materials still of educational value. Requires the governing body to establish a recommendation review process as described, that places library books recommended for selection readily available for parental review for a minimum of 30 days prior to consideration for selection by posting a list of the recommended books in a publicly accessible portion of the public school unit's website and by including a copy of all recommended library books in the instructional materials repository. Requires a process for submitting an objection to selection of the book, including a means for identifying with specificity the criteria that the recommended book fails to meet. Allows the governing body to delegate the authority for selection of library books to the superintendent as described. Requires the governing body to establish a community library advisory committee to investigate and evaluate challenges from parents, teachers, and members of the public to library books on the grounds that they do not conform to the criteria for selection of library books. Directs the Board to review its rules and policies concerning these challenges and establish guidelines to be followed by community library advisory committees. Requires, prior to any school conducting or partnering with a third party to conduct a student book fair, the principal of that school to designate appropriate school personnel to review all books that will be made available to students at the book fair to determine if the books meet the criteria established and meet the content access designation for the school. Requires the principal to ensure that no books be accepted by the school or made available to students in the student book fair that do not meet the established criteria and content access designation of that school.

Enacts GS 115C-102.1, requiring a governing body of a school to maintain a continuous repository of current instructional and supplemental materials that have been selected and acquired by the governing body of a public school unit for in-person review by parents and the public upon request, and the names of all those materials shall be posted to the local school administrative unit's website for review by parents and the public. Further requires the governing body to maintain a continuous program repository of current objectives, entire curricula, texts, and all other materials used in any health and safety program, as described. Provides for notice to parents of their right to review those materials, as described.

Changes the entity charged with providing for local operation of textbook programs and the selection of other instructional materials from local boards of education to governing bodies of public school units in GS 115C-98. Makes conforming changes, including to statute's title.

Applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Section 3.

Removes defense available to a school, church, museum, public library, governmental agency, medical clinic, or hospital carrying out its legitimate function; or an employee or agent of such an organization acting in that capacity and carrying out a legitimate duty of his employment for the criminal act of dissemination of harmful material to minors under GS 14-190.15. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Section 4.

Allows library user records to be disclosed to the parent of minor in GS 125-19 (confidentiality of library user records). Enacts Article 4, concerning access for minors to GS Chapter 125. Defines five terms, including library book and harmful to minors. Requires a library to ensure that any library books containing material harmful to minors held by the library are inaccessible to minors in both print, nonprint, and electronic form. Requires the library to place library books containing material harmful to minors in an age-restricted portion of the library that is accessible only to those 18 years of age and older. Prevents a library from lending books to a minor unless it has parental consent in writing, as described. Authorizes a parent to access their child’s library records.

Effective July 1, 2025. For library cards issued to minors without written parental consent prior to the effective date, a library must either establish written consent from the parent prior to December 31, 2025, or revoke the library card of the minor after that date.

Amends SL 2023-134, Section 11.12 concerning the Selectsite Readiness Program as follows.

Mandates that funds appropriated to the North Carolina Selectsite Fund (Fund) be used for purposes consistent with Section 11.12(a) (was, specified that this applied to funds transferred from unspent allocations to nonprofit corporations contracting with the Department of Commerce and for purposes consistent with subdivision (e)(1)). Removes language that pertained to limiting the use of a nonrecurring fund allocation for 2024-25.

States the grant program should identify and evaluate selectsites of less than 1,000 acres for preferred development and marketing (was, limited to identification and evaluation of up to 15 selectsites). Adds participation in the performance of engineering design and permitting to the list of support provided to local governments or a partnership of local governments, including supporting them to fund permitting as part of the on-site preparation process. Adds geotechnical investigations and evaluations, environmental permitting and studies related to road and highway infrastructure to serve sites to the list of support provided to local governments or a partnership of local governments in conducting due diligence.

Changes some funding requirements for a part of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) allocation in the Fund in the following ways: on a biennial basis, no more than $150,000  (was, unspent funds transferred pursuant to subsection (a) of 11.12) to be used for engaging a national site selection firm through a competitive bid process to produce a biennial report (was, a report) identifying 10 new selectsites (was, 15) for preferred development and marketing, of which 5 (was, 7) must be less than 500 acres and of which an additional 3 (was, 2) must be less than 100 acres. Adds requirement that geographic diversity be a priority consideration in new site selection beginning with the report due in 2026. Changes were also made to some of the requirements for funds appropriated for local government grants for selectsites in the following ways: (1) requires EDPNC to prioritize local government grants with the greatest potential to reduce the time for site readiness and reduce the risk of unforeseen conditions that could affect the site viability for manufacturing projects (was, advanced manufacturing projects) and (2) adds Phase I environmental, Threatened & Endangered Species studies to the list of basic due diligence requirements for selectsites before monies can be granted.

Act applies to appropriations to, and unencumbered funds in, the North Carolina Selectsite Fund on or after the date the act becomes law.

Adds new GS 130A-158.15 (Statewide standing order for the dispensing of ivermectin), which permits the State Health Director to issue a statewide standing order allowing pharmacists to dispense ivermectin without a prescription or consultation with a healthcare professional. Provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for actions taken as authorized under the statute.

Requires the State Health Director to issue the statewide order by October 1, 2025.

Adds new GS Chapter 14, Article 53D (Regulation of Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazines). Defines “large-capacity magazine” to include (1) a fixed or detachable magazine box, drum, feed strip, or similar device capable of accepting, or that is designed to be readily converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition, (2) a fixed or detachable magazine that is capable of accepting more than eight shotgun shells, and (3) a detachable magazine, tube, box, drum, feed strip, or similar device that is capable of accepting more than eight shotgun shells when combined with a fixed magazine. Excludes from the term: (1) a feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate more than 10 rounds of ammunition, (2) an attached tubular device designed to accept and capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition, or (3) a tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm. Prohibits possessing, manufacturing, selling, purchasing, or transferring a large-capacity magazine, and makes the violation of this prohibition a Class 2 misdemeanor offense with subsequent offenses a Class 1 misdemeanor; violations committed during the commission of a felony are a Class I felony.

Provides exceptions to the prohibition for entities and employees manufacturing large-capacity magazines for federal, state, or local government entities, licensed firearms dealers selling out-of-state, and foreign governments approved for sales by the federal government. Also excepts persons carrying large-capacity magazines in the course of employment as a military or government employee. Allows persons who possess a large-capacity magazine to modify, surrender, or sell to a licensed firearm dealer for out-of-state use within 180 days of the effective date of the act.

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

Creates new GS 160D-980 (Land-use regulation strategies), allowing municipalities to adopt certain policies for priority consideration of loans or grants under the Wastewater Reserve or the Drinking Water Reserve created under GS 159G-23. Municipalities that adopt the specified policies are eligible to receive priority consideration as specified in GS 159G-23 when they adopt the required number of provisions listed below. For municipalities with fewer than 100,000 residents, the policies are (1) permit by right multifamily development in all residential districts, (2) use local funding subsidies to waive construction-related fees for low- or moderate-income housing, (3) allow multifamily dwellings compatible with single-family dwellings in mixed-use zones, (4) allow at least one accessory dwelling unit for all owner-occupied dwellings in residential districts, (5) create a landlord incentive fund or housing loss mitigation fund for low- and moderate-income housing, and (6) implement a first-time homebuyers education service. For municipalities with more than 100,000 residents, the policies are (1) establish a minimum gross density of four units per acre in residential districts, (2) allow accessory dwelling units as provided above, (3) prohibit parking requirements, (4) allow multifamily residential dwellings in any zoning district allowing single-family dwellings, (5) demonstrate a 30% increase of building permit issuance over a 12-month period, (6) allow multifamily residential development in nonresidential districts within ¼ mile of major transit investment corridors, (7) eliminate building height restrictions of less than three stories in transit-oriented districts, (8) use local funding subsidies to waive construction-related fees for low- or moderate-income housing, (9) allow multifamily dwellings compatible with single-family dwellings in mixed-use zones, (10) create a landlord incentive or housing loss mitigation fund as provided above, (11) enter into a joint acquisition agreement with another local government to acquire property for low- or moderate-income housing, and (12) use a moderate-income housing set aside from a community reinvestment agency or redevelopment agency, to create or subsidize moderate-income housing.

Requires the State Water Infrastructure Authority to create an application for municipalities to use to demonstrate compliance with the policies above, and authorizes an application and approval process.

Directs the Legislative Research Commission to study housing needs of current and future residents of the state through 2050, in collaboration with local governments. Requires a report on the study to be submitted no later than the convening of the 2026 Regular Session.

Substantively Identical to S 283, and filed on 3/13/25.

Includes whereas clauses.

Appropriates $1,678,400 in recurring funds and $629,873 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, for 2025-26, and $1,678,400 in recurring funds and $613,250 in nonrecurring funds for 2026-27 to be allocated in the specified amounts to be used in the following ways: (1) distributed to the six specified comprehensive sickle cell medical centers to support the multifaceted needs of individuals with sickle cell disease, including social and behavioral health services and assistance for young adults transitioning from pediatric to adult care; (2) used by each of those six comprehensive sickle cell medical centers to create one full-time, permanent Transition Coordinator position at each medical center to conduct transition readiness assessments and other coordination activities to ensure a seamless referral process for individuals with sickle cell disease who are transitioning from pediatric to adult care; (3) provide grants to one or more nonprofit corporations to provide services to individuals with sickle cell disease, with priority given to community-based, nonprofit organizations providing a comprehensive array of services to individuals with sickle cell disease, their families, and the surrounding community in counties lacking these services (grantees are required to use some funds to facilitate the transition of individuals with sickle cell disease from pediatric to adult care at the local level); and (4) provide funding to the Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section of the Division of Public Health to support the operations of the North Carolina Sickle Cell Syndrome Program (Program) with funds used for positions to support the work of the Program, to purchase office equipment to be used by those positions, and for the dissemination and implementation of a sickle cell disease toolkit for use by emergency departments.

Effective July 1, 2025.

 

Amends GS 115C-12 by adding a new subsection requiring the State Board of Education to maintain and annually update a publicly available database of all library media and materials rejected by public school units to new Part 7 of Article 7B of this Chapter. Requires the Department of Public Instruction to maintain the website where this database is made publicly available.

Adds Part 7 to Article 7B of Chapter 115C pertaining to public school unit requirements. Enacts GS 115C-78, which does all of the following:

(1) Defines seven terms, including harmful to minors as any material or performance that depicts or describes sexual activity or is pervasively vulgar; library media as any electronic, print, or nonprint resources, excluding textbooks, for independent use by students and school personnel and not used as part of the standard course of study for any grade or course, whether in a formal school library or in a classroom; and sexual activity as defined in GS 14-190.13.

(2) Requires governing bodies of public school units to adopt a policy for selecting library media that includes a recommendation review process including review of donated items.

(3) Mandates approval of media to be an ongoing process that includes removal of media that no longer meets the approval criteria.

(4) Details six requirements for the policy adopted by a governing body for media to be approved for addition to a school library: (1) superintendent must delegate responsibility to identify media recommended for addition to a community library advisory committee; (2) superintendent or designee must review media and determine if it meets the listed eight-point criteria; (3) superintendent must submit recommendations to the governing body of the public school unit for approval or denial; (4) the governing body must consider the recommended material at meetings, permits the body to request more information from the superintendent while reviewing, allows any member of the body to make a motion to place the recommended media before the body for approval, clarifies that without the motion media is not approved, and requires consideration to be completed within 90 days of submission; (5) requires recommended materials by superintendent or designee to be placed on the publicly-accessible school website with a form for submission of objections and instructions for eligible persons to submit an objection to approval; and (6) requires superintendent to submit letters of objection to the library advisory committee if a piece of media receives 10 or more letters of objection that specify how the media fails to meet the criteria.

(5) Requires governing body of the public school unit to establish a community library advisory committee to investigate and evaluate challenges from parents, teachers, and county residents including letters of objection. Notes member composition requirements for the board and requires the State Board of Education to review its rules and policies and establish guidance to be followed by these advisory committees.

(6) Requires the governing body of the public school unit to publish on a publicly accessible website and make available any specifically requested media available in the school library and criteria established used to select or procure the library media and materials to a parent, guardian, or county resident where the unit is located; and 

(7) Requires school principals to review all media that will be made available at a student book fair to determine if it meets the eight-point criteria in subsection (c)(2) and has been assigned a proper contact access designation. Makes it the principal's express duty to ensure no media fails to comply.

Clarifies that for media materials purchased by a public school unit before this act becoming law, the governing body must use the library advisory committee to investigate and evaluate challenges using the same consideration process in GS 115C-78(d).

Amends Part 4 of Article 7B of Chapter 115C, pertaining to notifications of student physical and mental health, by enacting GS 115C-76.61 to provide for civil remedies for certain violations of the Parents' Bill of Rights and listing the causes of actions that may be brought. Requires exhaustion of all administrative remedies available pursuant to GS Chapter 115C first.

Contains whereas clauses.

Creates new GS Chapter 62, Article 18 (The Equitable Escalation of Electricity Demand Act). Sets definitions for the new Article.

Establishes new GS 62-361 (Protecting electricity users reliability and availability), requiring a fee to be placed on all new electric vehicle charging stations and new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles sold or licensed to operate in NC to offset the cost of maintaining dispatchable power supply. Mandates in subsection (b) that charging stations owned by the state assess a fee for maintaining the power grid to users of the charging station. Specifies in subsection (c) that new data centers requiring dispatchable power are required to contract for the construction of such power sources directly with a local utility, and requires safeguards to ensure cost overruns are not borne by ratepayers of the utility. Requires the state and any political subdivisions that enter into an economic incentive agreement for the opening of a new data center to mandate compliance with subsection (c). Allows data centers that cannot contract with a local utility for dispatchable power to submit plans to the Utilities Commission directly, and requires compliance with the applicable regulations that public utilities operate under.

Contains a severability clause.

Contains whereas clauses.

Amends GS 14-315.1 (Storage of firearms to protect minors) to remove ambiguities by eliminating the requirement to store a firearm “in a condition that the firearm can be discharged.” Makes it a Class A1 (was, Class 1) misdemeanor offense to violate the statute. Specifies that a violation of the statute exists when a minor does any of (1) possesses the firearm on educational property or extracurricular activities, (2) exhibits the firearm in a public place in a careless or threatening manner, (3) causes personal injury or death with the firearm that is not in self-defense, or (4) uses the firearm in the commission of a crime.

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

Amends GS 105-277.2 by (1) adding a definition for conservation holder, defined as a nonprofit or private corporation that qualifies as a “holder” pursuant to GS 121-35(2), meets the definition of “charitable corporation” under GS 55A-1-40 and is organized to receive and administer agricultural land, horticultural land, or forestland to preserve the uses of such land in perpetuity; and (2) changing the definition of individually owned to also include ownership by a conservation holder.

Amends GS 105-277.3, pertaining to agricultural, horticultural, and forestland special property classifications for tax purposes by adding a new exception to ownership requirements. Exception outlines how a conservation holder’s land use can be exempted from the ownership requirements. Provides that land qualifies for classification if the new owner is a conservation holder, the land was appraised at its present-use value when the title to the land passed to the new owner, the new owner uses the lands for purposes consistent with conservation holder qualifications, the new owner timely files an application as required by GS 105-277.4(a), and the new owner has certified that they accept liability for any deferred taxes and intends to use the land for proper purposes. Mandates that if all qualifications are met, then any deferred taxes remain a lien on the land and the new owner becomes liable for those deferred taxes, which become payable if the land fails to meet any other condition or requirement for classification. Adds a conservation holder exception for property appraised at its present-use value allowing for continuing qualification for appraisal, assessment, and taxation under GS 105-277.2 through GS 105-277.7 without regard to actual production or income requirements as long as the taxpayer remains a conservation holder using the land for proper purposes. Makes technical changes.

Effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2026.

Requires the North Carolina Collaboratory (Collaboratory) at UNC-Chapel Hill to study the potential effects of the changes in this act on the county tier designation system under GS 143B-437.08.

Requires a focus on proposed changes to the criteria used to rank counties, changes to the way in which tier designations are assigned, and changing the time frame in which counties are ranked. Requires evaluating the impact of the proposed changes on the county rankings, on programs that use the tier designations, and on the ease of doing business in the state. Sets out agencies that the Collaboratory must work with on the study. Requires evaluating if the changes align with the State's economic development goals; use current, reliable, timely and high-quality data; implement a method that is easy to understand; and accurately identify areas of distress.

Requires a preliminary report on the study by December 31, 2025, to the specified NCGA committee and division and a final report by December 1, 2026.

Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends Section 9D.3.(b) of SL 2023-134 to lower the fees required from parents purchasing subsidized child care services from 10% to 7% of gross family income.

Appropriates $25,000,000 in recurring funds from the General Fund for each year of the 2025-2027 biennium to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, to implement the reduction in fees required by the act.

Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends GS 108A-54.3C by adding subsection (a), which defines “newly eligible individual” by reference to 42 CFR § 433.204. Mandates that if the federal medical assistance percentage for Medicaid coverage provided to newly eligible individuals (was, the category of individuals described in GS 108A-54.3A(a)(24)) falls below the percentage provided to individuals who are not newly eligible individuals (was, 90%), then Medicaid coverage for the individuals described in GS 108A-54.3A(a)(24) will be discontinued expeditiously. Makes technical, organizational, and conforming changes to the rest of the statute's language. 

Amends GS 7A-133 to split the district court judicial district 43 into district 43A, containing Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon, and Swain counties, and district 43B, containing, Haywood, and Jackson counties, and assigning four district court judges to each of the new districts by allocating the seven existing district court judges and hiring one additional new judge. Elections in 2026 must be held so that this change is effective January 1, 2027.

Appropriates $253,001 in recurring funds and $10,376 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 year to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to hire an additional district court judge as required by the new districts.

Appropriates $7,421 in recurring funds from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 year to AOC for the judge selected as chief district court judge of district 43B.

Appropriates $71,932 in recurring funds and $3,436 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 year to AOC for one full-time judicial assistant for district 43B.

Appropriations for the district court are effective July 1, 2026.

Amends GS 7A-498.7(a) to split the existing defender district 43 into defender district 43A, containing Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon, and Swain counties, and defender district 43B, containing Haywood and Jackson counties.

Appropriates $228,461 in recurring funds and $4,895 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 year to AOC Office of Indigent Defense Services to hire a chief public defender for defender district 43B.

Appropriates $424,488 in recurring funds and $14,685 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 year to AOC Office of Indigent Defense Services to hire three full-time assistant public defenders for defender district 43B.

Changes and appropriations for the defender districts are effective July 1, 2026.

Creates new GS 90-118.5A, allowing licensed optometrists to perform optometry through telemedicine as long as they possess a valid license in the state. Clarifies that the optometrist does not need to be physically located in the state or licensed in another jurisdiction where they may be located while providing telemedicine services. Specifies that the authorization does not limit the authority of the North Carolina Board of Examiners in Optometry to pursue violations against licensed optometrists for violations, and that telemedicine does not alter the scope of practice or the applicable laws and rules for the practice of optometrists.

Directs the Board to adopt rules implementing the new section, including patient relationships, examination and diagnosis standard of care, and display of licensure and credentials.

Effective October 1, 2025.

Repeals GS 131E-176(16)f1.8, which includes “positron emission tomography scanner” or PET scan in the definition of “new institutional health services” that are subject to the certificate of need requirements in GS Chapter 131E, Article 9.

Establishes a Competitive Speech and Debate Team Grant Pilot Program (Program) to allow public schools serving students in grades 9 through 12 in the state to form a speech and debate team and allow the team to participate in speech and debate competitions. Mandates that the program will begin the 2025-26 school year and conclude at the end of the 2028-29 school year. Allows eligible schools to apply to the Department of Public Instruction (Department) for a grant. Requires the Department to develop and publish application guidelines and criteria for the Program by August 1 of each year funds are made available. Mandates that applications be accepted until September 30 of each school year and requires applications to include a proposed budget for the team, at minimum. Requires the Department to award of grants by October 31 of each year and sets the amount for each award to be $10,000 maximum per team per school year and provides purposes for which the funds can be used and limitations. Requires teams receiving funding through the Program to participate in the Tarheel Forensic League and National Speech and Debate Association. Allows student participation on a team at the geographically closest school to their residence if the school they are enrolled in does not offer a speech and debate team, but the student must be responsible for transportation to and from the school where the team meets. Clarifies that schools can enforce other guidelines for student participation in extracurricular activities like academic performance requirements and can conduct a selection process for the team if an eligible student from another school can participate as if enrolled in that school. Details reporting requirements for the Department to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee and Fiscal Research Division.

Adds two members to the board of directors of the Tarheel Forensic League, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House and one by the President Pro Tempore of Senate, provides instructions for appointment, term lengths, limitations on appointment for membership. Prohibits compensation for appointed members and limits per diems and allowances as described.

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction per fiscal year for the 2025-26, 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29 fiscal years for the Department to establish and administer the Program.

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

Amends GS 131E-155 by amending the definition of the practical examination that individuals seeking credential as an emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, paramedic, emergency medical responder, emergency medical dispatcher, or emergency medical services instructor to require the test comply with National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam standards.

Amends the credentialing requirements for those individuals, found in GS 131E-159, by adding the following requirements. Beginning January 1, 2026, a person seeking credentialing or renewal of credentialing emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, and emergency medical services instructors must pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination for the level of certification desired. Requires a person with a state credential or other accepted credential not from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for their respective certification before January 1, 2026, to be certified under the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians by January 1, 2030. Also requires those individuals to undergo a criminal history records check.

Limits how long an individual currently credentialed as an emergency medical dispatcher who is currently residing in North Carolina or affiliated with an emergency medical dispatcher program approved by the Department of Health and Human Services offering service within North Carolina is eligible for credentialing as an emergency medical dispatcher without taking an exam to one year. Adds that if a person seeking credentialing holds a state-level certificate as an emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, paramedic, emergency medical responder, emergency medical dispatcher, or emergency medical services instructor in another state, the person must obtain a credential from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians within one year of the issuance of their credentialing in this state; after one year requires passage of the exam to continue to be credentialed.

Requires any person seeking credentialing as a specialty certification, including a flight paramedic, critical care paramedic, community paramedic, tactical paramedic, wilderness paramedic, designated infection control officer, or a medical transportation safety professional, to pass the appropriate exam from the International Board of Specialty Certification.

Requires credentialed persons to carry a certification card. Provides for obtaining replacement cards.

Requires the Medical Care Commission to adopt temporary rules to implement this act, which will remain in place until permanent rules are adopted.

Effective January 1, 2026.

Includes whereas clauses.

Subject to approval by voters at the general election on November 3rd, makes the following changes to the North Carolina Constitution. Amends Section 5 of Article III to specify that nothing in the section, Article, or Constitution gives the Governor emergency powers beyond those expressly granted by law passed by the NCGA. Requires emergency powers to be strictly construed and not used to infringe on or deny the rights of the people. Limits the duration of actions by the Governor exercising emergency powers to two weeks unless ratified by a joint resolution passed by a majority of the members of each house of the NCGA present and voting in an emergency session. Amends Section 11 of Article II by requiring the NCGA to go into an emergency session when the Governor declares a state of emergency that begins seven days after the effective date of the statewide state of emergency (excluding Sundays and holidays). Effective upon certification.

Amends GS 166A-19.20, concerning states of emergency, to set a statewide state of emergency to expire seven calendar days (was, 30) after issuance without concurrence of the Council of State. Requires a declaration of emergency to expire 14 calendar days (was, 60) after issuance when the Council of State concurs with the declaration, unless the NCGA extends the duration.

Identical to S 332, and filed on 3/19/25.

Section 1

Makes organizational changes to Article 37 of GS Chapter 90. Adds new Part 2, Health Care Practitioner Transparency Act, providing as follows.

Requires an advertisement for health care services (including medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and related occupations involving providing health care directly to patients) that names a health care practitioner to identify their license, certification, or registration; prohibits the advertisement from containing deceptive or misleading information. Prohibits a health care practitioner from making a deceptive or misleading representation about their license, certification, or registration. Prohibits unlicensed individuals from holding themselves out as a physician or any of the listed medical titles, with the intent to represent that they practice medicine.

Makes it a violation for a health care practitioner to (1) knowingly aid, assist, procure, employ, or advise an unlicensed individual or entity in practicing or engaging in acts outside of the scope of the health care practitioner's degree of licensure; (2) knowingly delegate or contract the performance of health care services to a health care practitioner that is unqualified to perform those health care services; and (3) fail to comply with any provision of this Article. Violators are guilty of unprofessional conduct and may be subject to disciplinary action. Exempts from the Article health care practitioners who work in non-patient settings and do not have direct patient health care interactions.

Section 2

Requires the 15 listed boards to adopt temporary rules to implement this act and requires the rules to remain in effect until permanent rules are adopted.

Section 3

Effective October 1, 2025.

Enacts new GS 90-21.19A (temporary civil authorization for injury or death in certain circumstances) that authorizes a patient or personal representative of a patient to bring an action for death or injuries alleged to have resulted from medical malpractice arising out of a health care provider's performance of or failure to perform professional services in a court of competent jurisdiction, if (1) the alleged death or injury arose on or after March 1, 2020, and (2) the alleged death or injury was not the direct result of the patient contracting COVID-19 (i.e., the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus). Sunsets one year after the act becomes law. Effective from March 1, 2020, until one year after the act becomes law, GS 90-21.19A revives any civil action for a claim of wrongful death under GS Chapter 28A or medical malpractice claim under Article 1B of GS Chapter 90, or any other appropriate civil action brought under the laws of this State, otherwise time-barred under GS 1-15 or GS 1-17 as it existed immediately before the enactment of GS 90-21.19A.

Effective when the act becomes law and applies to claims that arose on or after March 1, 2020, and one year after the act becomes law.

Amends Article 2 of Chapter 143B by adding new Part 30B. Creates the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Commission (Commission) within the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for historical, art, and cultural purposes. Sets the duties of the Commission to include an advisory role to the Secretary of the Department, responsibilities relating to promotion of public awareness of relevant programs/materials, support of elementary and secondary school education, creation of a statewide group dedicated to the overall mission, and creation of a preservation program to manage relevant cultural materials, with direction from the Secretary.

Establishes that the Commission will have nine members, serving staggered terms, and the first board will be selected on or before October 1, 2025. Requires the Governor to appoint four members, two serving three year terms, one serving a two year term, and one serving a one year term. At least one of these appointed members will be a member of the NC Historical Commission. Requires the General Assembly to appoint two members by the recommendation of the Senate President Pro Tempore, one serving a three year term and one serving a two year term. Requires the General Assembly to appoint two members by the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one serving a two year term and one serving a one year term. Requires the Secretary to appoint one member who will serve a three year term. Upon term expiration of these first members, each member is appointed for three years until a successor is appointed.

Addresses procedures for vacancies, stating positions will be filled the same way as original appointments except for unexpired appointments by the General Assembly, which will be filled according to GS 120-122. Addresses removal for neglect of duty, incompetence, or unprofessional conduct.

The Governor selects the chair of the Commission, and the Commission selects a vice-chair and other officers. Commission members receive no salary, but will receive compensation for expenses incurred in their duties, according to GS 120-3.1, GS 138-5, and GS 138-6.

Appropriates $250,000 in recurring funds for each year of the 2025-27 biennium from the General Fund to the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, supporting the operations of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Commission, including a director, deputy director, and administrative services.

Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends GS 115C-546.11 to expand upon counties that are eligible for a grant from the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund, to also include a county that contains census tracts that are experiencing persistent poverty or are identified as having low to moderate income. Requires those counties that also have an adjusted market value of taxable real property of greater than $40 billion, to have a local match of 35%; all other eligible counties have the match requirements already set out in the statute.

Repeals SL 2017-57, Section 7.22, subsections (c), (d), and (e), concerning allocations of funds from the cooperative innovative high school supplemental allotment to a local school administrative unit located in development tier one, tier two, and tier three areas.

Requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), beginning with the 2025-26 fiscal year, to allocate in an equal amount per school on a recurring basis the cooperative innovative high school supplemental allotment to local school administrative units for each cooperative innovative high school located in the unit that (1) is approved by the State Board of Education and (2) received funds for the cooperative innovative high school supplemental allotment for the 2025-27 fiscal biennium.

Provides that beginning with the 2025-26 fiscal year and subsequent fiscal years thereafter, no State agency responsible for the allocation of State funds for education purposes to elementary and secondary public schools, community colleges, or the UNC constituent institutions will be directed to or can use the economic development tier designation for a county as the basis for the allocation of those state funds.

Repeals all laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this act.

Effective July 1, 2025.

Adds news Part 12, Academic Grant Programs, to Article 16 of GS Chapter 115C, providing as follows. Establishes the Educational and Competitive High School Robotics Grant Program (Program) to promote evidence-based, after-school programs for robotic education and competition for high school students, and to motivate students to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while building critical life and work-related skills. Requires the Program to operate in any year when funds are made available. Allows any robotics team to apply to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for a grant to develop an educational and competitive high school robotics program with a robotics partner; allows teams to be coordinated through a public school unit or a community organization (as defined). Sets out requirements for robotics partners. Requires DPI, by August of each year, to develop and publish criteria and guidelines for the application process and requires accepting applications until September 30. Sets out information that must be included in applications. Requires grants to be awarded by October 31st and allows funds to be used to: (1) establish a relationship with a robotics partner; (2) purchase robotics kits, parts, or supplies; (3) provide stipends for coaches; (4) make payments associated with participation in a robotics league or robotics competition; and (5) pay fees incurred as part of the administration of a robotics team. Requires DPI to report specified Program information to the specified NCGA committee and division by October 15th.

Appropriates $2.5 million in recurring funds for 2025-26 from the General Fund to DPI to establish and administer the Program. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends GS 115C-379 to allow excused absences from school for participation in school-sanctioned academic competitions, including Science Olympiad, 4-H, high school robotics, and speech and debate. Makes conforming changes.

Applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year.

Requires the State Board of Education (Board) to establish the Mental Health Crisis Unit Pilot Program (Program) to provide funds to establish at least one mental health crisis unit in each participating local school administrative unit. The Program begins in the 2025-26 school year and expires June 30, 2028. Requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to choose up to eight local school administrative units to participate in the Program and consider at least: (1) resources available to the local school administrative unit; (2) overall impact on students' mental health in the local school administrative unit if it was selected to participate; and (3) history in the local school administrative unit of sudden traumatic events. Participants receive $250,000 in each fiscal year in which funds are made available to establish and maintain at least one mental health crisis unit in the local school administrative unit, with the purpose of the unit providing mental health resources to students and staff and be on call during school operating hours to provide rapid response to mental health emergencies. Requires informing students and staff about any available mental health crisis unit and provide opportunities to learn about its purposes and function. Require the unit to rotate between schools. Requires DPI, in consultation with the Center for Safer Schools, to establish standards and guidelines for the development, operation, and staffing of mental health crisis units under the Program, including a requirement that each mental health crisis unit be composed of at least one nurse, social worker, and counselor. Requires an annual report on the Program from the Board to the specified NCGA committee.

Appropriates $2 million in recurring funds for 2025-26 from the General Fund to DPI to implement the Program.

Effective July 1, 2025.

Identical to S 268, and filed 3/12/25.

Adds terms tangible net worth and working capital to the definitions provisions of the NC Professional Employer Organization Act (Act) under GS 58-89A-5. Modifies the term audited GAAP financial statement so it is just referred to as an audited financial statement.

Broadens the entities that may be licensed as professional employer organization groups under GS 58-89A-35 to include persons (currently, limited to professional employer organizations) that are controlled by the same parent, entity or persons. Allows such groups to satisfy their reporting and financial requirements on a consolidated or combined basis (currently, just consolidated). Clarifies that the conditions pertaining to financial obligations must be met before the group is considered a professional employer organization group. Makes technical changes.

Expands persons required to file an additional surety bond under the described conditions set forth in GS 58-89A-50 to include licensees. Makes clarifying and conforming changes.

Repeals GS 58-89A-60(g) (listing certain conditions pertaining to the controlling person upon which the Insurance Commissioner [Commissioner] may deny licensure to an applicant under the Act).

Amends GS 58-89A-60 (licensure applications), as amended by the act, as follows. Expands required information pertaining to applicant managers to be submitted to the Commissioner to now include listing of directors, the educational background of all listed persons and their management and business experience. Removes requirement that Commissioner engage in rulemaking to require additional information beyond the statute, but specifies that any additional information required must be reasonable. Extends the date for completion of the applicant's audited financial statement to be submitted to the Commissioner to one that has been prepared no more than 120 days before the date of the application (currently, 90 days before the date of the application). Requires an applicant to have a tangible net worth of at least $50,000. Makes technical, conforming, and clarifying changes. Removes requirement that the audited financial statement be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and then audited by an independent CPA as described. Now, just requires preparation of the audited financial statement by an independent CPA as described. Provides for additional documentation that must be submitted with an applicant’s combined or consolidated audited financial statement.

Allows applicants that do not have at least 12 months of operating history to meet the financial requirements by filing with the Commissioner financial statements that have been reviewed by an independent CPA and prepared not later than 90 days before the date of the application (currently, not requirement for such applicants to use an independent CPA or 90-day timeframe). Authorizes the Commissioner to accept the audited financial statement of the applicant’s parent company if the submitted information allows the Commissioner to determine the financial condition and financial responsibility of the applicant. Authorizes the Commissioner to accept the audited financial statement of an applicant's parent company and consider the financial condition and financial responsibility of the parent in lieu of the applicant if three listed conditions are met, including that the information in the audited financial statement and other documents meet the statutory requirements and enable the Commissioner to determine the financial condition and financial responsibility of the parent and the applicant. Expands persons required to submit to fingerprinting and a criminal background check to include changes in officers, directors, and other controlling persons of professional employer organization groups licensed under the Act (currently, change to a controlling party of a professional employer organization).

Lists six circumstances under which the Commissioner may deny licensure, including that a controlling person of the applicant has been convicted of a felony, that the applicant has not provided evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner of financial responsibility, and that the applicant is not current with respect to all of its obligations for payroll, payroll-related taxes, workers' compensation insurance, and employee benefits and the applicant has failed to satisfy the Commissioner as to the reasons why. Removes provision authorizing denial of an application for any reason for which a license may be suspended or terminated under GS 58-89A-155. Makes conforming and technical changes.

Repeal subsections (a1), (c1), and (c2) of GS 58-89A-65. 

Expands persons required to annually certify compliance with the licensure requirements of the Act in GS 58-89A-70 to include officers and directors of the licensee. Modifies the evidence of financial responsibility that must be included with each licensee’s annual filing with the Commissioner so that it now means an audited financial statement of the licensee or its parent company if allowed by the Commissioner on a form as described. Adds requirement for annual submission of an attestation, executed by the chief financial officer and the chief executive officer of the licensee, that the licensee is current with respect to all of its obligations for payroll, payroll-related taxes, workers' compensation insurance, and employee benefits, as described. Limits other information required by the Commission to reasonable information. Makes technical changes.

Now also requires that an applicant for de minimis registration as a limited professional employer under GS 58-89A-75 not be domiciled in the State. Clarifies the ways an applicant can advertise other than through any media outlet physically located in the State. No longer accepts persons only registered as professional employer organization in another State as eligible for de minimis registration. Makes organizational changes.

Applies to applications for licensure issuance or renewal submitted on or after the act becomes law. 

Identical to S 269, and filed on 3/12/25.

Makes the following changes to Article 48 (concerning the Postassessment Insurance Guaranty Association [Association]) of GS Chapter 58.

Clarifies, in GS 58-48-10 (scope of Article), that coverages like warranties or service contracts that are set forth in a cybersecurity insurance policy are covered by the Article. Clarifies that the defined term covered claim includes claim obligations that arose through the issuance of an insurance policy by a member insurer, which are later allocated, transferred, merged into, novated, assumed by, or otherwise made the sole responsibility of a member or nonmember insurer if the four described conditions are met. Adds defined term cybersecurity insurance.

Modifies the Association’s powers/duties under GS 58-48-35 as follows. Limits the Association’s obligations to $500,000 in paying all first and third-party claims under a policy or endorsement providing cybersecurity insurance coverage arising out of a single insured event, as described. Removes Association’s right to review settlements and other described documents to determine the extent to which those documents may be properly contested as part of its authority to pay and deny covered claims. Authorizes the Association to: (1) appoint, substitute, and direct legal counsel for the defense of covered claims and appoint and direct other service providers for covered services and (2) establish priority of payment. Grants the Association the right to review and contest settlements, releases, compromises, waivers, and judgments to which the insolvent insurer or its insureds were parties prior to the entry of the order of liquidation, subject to the four described conditions.

Modifies the net worth requirement under GS 58-48-50 (effect of paid claims) so that the Association can only recover the described covered claim against an insured whose net worth exceeds $50 million in the year before the insured becomes insolvent so long as the insured’s net worth on that date is deemed to include the aggregate net worth of the insured and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates as calculated on a consolidated  basis.

Removes provisions pertaining to reopening of default provisions under GS 58-48-65, and makes conforming changes to statute's title.

Part I.

Amends GS 7A-304 concerning costs and fees in criminal actions, as follows. Requires in every criminal case where the defendant is convicted or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or when costs are assessed against the prosecuting witness, that the court determine the defendant's ability to pay any costs assessed and weigh that determination when assessing and collecting the costs listed in the statute (previously, the costs were assessed automatically without considering ability to pay). Removes the prohibition on the court waiving or remitting all or part of any court fines or costs without providing notice and opportunity to be heard by all government entities directly affected; makes conforming deletions. Decreases from $200 to $100 the cost assessed for support of the General Court of Justice by a defendant who fails to appear to answer the charge as scheduled, unless within 20 days after the scheduled appearance, the person either appears in court to answer the charge or disposes of the charge under GS 7A-146. Amends the costs for the following services that are charged under specified circumstances by specifying that instead of charging $600, the amount charged must reflect the costs actually incurred for the services, not to exceed $600: (1) services of the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory facilities; (2) services of any crime laboratory facility; (3) services of any private hospital performing toxicological testing under contract with a prosecutorial district; (4) services of the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory facilities; (5) services of any crime laboratory facility; (6) services of an expert witness employed by the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory who completes a chemical analysis, a forensic analysis, or a digital forensics analysis and provides testimony about that analysis in a defendant's trial; (7) services of an expert witness employed by a crime laboratory who completes a chemical analysis, a forensic analysis, or a digital forensics analysis and provides testimony about that analysis in a defendant's trial; and (8) services of an expert witness employed by a private hospital performing toxicological testing under contract with a prosecutorial district who completes a chemical analysis and provides testimony about that analysis in a defendant's trial. Deletes an outdated reporting requirement. No longer requires defendants paying costs using an installment plan to pay a $20 setup fee. Adds that the court must consider the following minimum factors when determining whether a defendant can use an installment plan to pay court costs: (1) defendant's monthly income in relation to the relevant federal poverty guidelines for the defendant's household size; (2) whether the defendant receives public assistance; (3) the defendant's living arrangements and ability to afford or procure housing; (4) whether the defendant resides in a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility; and (5) any limits on the defendant's ability to secure employment.

Repeals GS 7A-350, which required the Administrative Office of the Courts to keep records of and report on criminal court cost waivers to the specified NCGA committees.

Part II.

Amends GS 15A-1364(a), which provides that when a defendant who has been required to pay a fine or costs defaults in payment or in any installment, the court may require the defendant to appear and show cause why he should not be imprisoned or may rely upon a conditional show cause order. Adds that the court must consider the following minimum factors: (1) defendant's monthly income in relation to the relevant federal poverty guidelines for the defendant's household size; (2) whether the defendant receives public assistance; (3) the defendant's living arrangements and ability to afford or procure housing; (4) whether the defendant resides in a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility; and (5) any limits on the defendant's ability to secure employment. Adds that (a) does not apply to a defendant who has received an active sentence in the same case in which the defendant has defaulted on the payment.

Amends GS 15A-1365, which allows the judge to order that the judgment be docketed when a defendant has defaulted in payment of a fine or costs. Provides that the clerk may not issue an execution on the docketed judgement if the fine or costs were imposed for an offense other than trafficking in controlled substances or conspiring to traffic in controlled substances and the defendant is serving an active sentence (was, the defendant elects to serve the suspended sentence, if any, or serve a term of 30 days, if no suspended sentence was imposed).

Part III.

Enacts new GS 20-24.3, prohibiting the Division of Motor Vehicles (Division) from revoking the drivers license of a person charged with an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony if revocation is solely due to failure to appear after proper notice when the case was called for a trial or hearing, and/or failure to pay a fine, penalty, or court costs ordered by the court.

Makes conforming repeals of (1) GS 20-24.1, which requires the Division to revoke the driver's license of a person upon receipt of notice from a court that the person was charged with a motor vehicle offense and either failed to appear after proper notice when the case was called for a trial or hearing; or failed to pay a court-ordered fine, penalty, or court costs, and (2) GS 20-24.2, which requires a court to report to the Division the name of any person charged with a motor vehicle offense under the Chapter who fails to appear to answer the charge as scheduled or fails to pay a fine, penalty, or costs within 40 days of the date specified in the court's judgment. Makes conforming changes to GS 15A-1116; GS 20-13.2; GS 20-19(k); GS 20-28.1; GS 20-217(g2); GS 50-13.12; and GS 110-142.2(f).

Further amends GS 20-217(g2), regarding the required withholding of the registration renewal of a motor vehicle registered to a person who fails to pay any fine or costs imposed pursuant to the statute for failing to stop for properly marked and designated school buses in certain instances. Directs the Division to continue to withhold the registration renewal until the clerk of superior court notifies the Division that the person has satisfied each of the four specified conditions applicable to the person’s case, including (1) disposing of the charge in which the person failed to appear when the case was last called for trial or hearing; (2) demonstrating to the court that the person is not the person charged with the offense; (3) paying the penalty, fine, or costs ordered by the court; and/or (4) demonstrating to the court that the person’s failure to pay the penalty, fine, or costs was not willful and that the person is making a good-faith effort to pay or that the penalty, fine, or costs should be remitted.

Further amends GS 50-13.12, which governs forfeiture of licensing privileges for failure to pay child support or for failure to comply with a subpoena issued pursuant to child support or paternity establishment proceedings. Clarifies that reinstatement of a drivers license under the statute is conditioned upon payment of the applicable restoration fees in addition to the specified requirements.

Similarly, further amends GS 110-142.2, which governs suspension and revocation of occupational, professional, or business licenses of obligors who are delinquent in court-ordered child support, or who are not in compliance with subpoenas issued pursuant to child support or paternity establishment proceedings. Clarifies that reinstatement of a drivers license under the statute is conditioned upon payment of the applicable restoration fees in addition to the specified requirements.

Effective October 1, 2025.

Part IV.

Amends GS 143B-1483 to explicitly provide that a judge can waive the $250 fee required for participation in the community service program for good cause.

Part V.

Eliminates the court costs set forth for seat belt infractions in GS 20-135.2A; maintains the civil penalty for the infraction. Applies to costs and fees assessed on or after October 1, 2025.

Part VI.

Amends GS 15A-1343 to require a court to exempt a person from paying the $40 per month fee for supervised probation when probation is extended for the sole purpose of complying with monetary obligations. Makes conforming changes. Applies to supervision fees incurred in the calendar month of the date the act becomes law and all subsequent supervision fees incurred in the same term of supervised probation.

Identical to S 288, and filed on 3/13/25.

Appropriates $150,000 for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for a directed grant to the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice for the development of the Pauli Murray Center Green. Effective July 1, 2025.

Appropriates $61.3 million from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for 2025-26 to provide directed grants to

• the Town of Lucama for water infrastructure;
• the Town of Stantonsburg for water and sewer projects;
• Wilson County
• for allocation to the County's volunteer fire departments,
• for school construction,
• for the construction of a new courthouse,
• for the Sheriff's Office Training Center,
• to provide Narcan for the Wilson County schools and libraries, and
• for the Wilson Ride Program;
• the Wilson Housing Authority; and
• the Town of Sharpsburg for the construction of a new Police Department.

Effective July 1, 2025.

Identical to S 716, and filed on 3/25/25.

Contains whereas clauses.

Directs the Public Utilities Commission to conduct a study assessing (1) the costs and benefits of the current energy market in the state, (2) possible reforms to the Southeastern Energy Exchange Market, (3) the feasibility and costs/benefits of an energy imbalance market or regional transmission organization along with South Carolina, or in the Southeastern United States, and (4) what legal and procedural requirements would be required for establishing a market with South Carolina or an organization with a larger geographic grid. Provides relevant definitions for the terms used in the study.

Requires the Commission to initiate the study within 90 days of the effective date of the act, and to submit a written report to the Joint Legislative Energy Policy Commission within one year of the effective date. Allows the Commission to contract for professional and consultant services, and directs the Commission to seek federal funding to the extent available. Provides broader direction on the analysis for each of the four categories for the study.

Appropriates $350,000 from the General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to the Public Utilities Commission to conduct the study.

Appropriates $9,818,000 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for 2025-26 to provide a directed grant to the City of Greensboro to construct a new fire station to serve the north side of the Piedmont Triad International Airport and to relocate, enhance, and operate the Police Department's Real Time Intelligence Center. Effective July 1, 2025.

Appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for 2025-26 for a directed grant to Harmony Empowerment Life Center for "Never Limit an Athlete's Mind" program as title indicates. Effective July 1, 2025.

Appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for 2025-26 to provide a directed grant to the Agency for Families in Distress, Inc., a nonprofit organization, to address the growing mental health crisis in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, and North Carolina. Effective July 1, 2025.

Includes whereas clauses.

Appropriates $1,873,863 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child and Family Well-Being, for 2025-26 to expand access to Teen Mental Health First Aid training in North Carolina.

Effective July 1, 2025.

Includes whereas clauses.

Enacts GS 103-19 as title indicates.