House committee substitute to the 2nd edition makes the following changes.

Deletes proposed GS 95-9.2 (Employers to post notice of veterans' benefits). Instead amends GS 95-9, modifying and adding to the existing requirement of employers to post notice of state laws relating to the employment of adults and children and the regulation of hours and working conditions. Specifies that the statute applies to employers who have five or more employees (replacing a provision in existing law requiring the employer to post the notice in every room where five or more persons are employed). Requires the Commissioner of Labor to furnish digital forms of the required notice on its website or printed forms upon request (currently required to furnish printed forms upon request only). Allows offering, upon request, a traditional notice with printed labor laws and a veterans benefit QR code linking to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs resource website. Requires the digital form notice to have a QR code for labor laws linking to the Department of Labor's publications website and a QR code for veterans' benefits linking to the DMVA's resource website. Requires both DOL and DMVA (Departments) to promptly update the linked websites to reflect current State and federal benefit changes. Requires the digital form notice to include information about five listed services, including housing assistance and requests for military records. Directs DOL to consult with DMVA to create the veterans' benefits and services notice. Requires the Departments to make available a digital notice on its websites with specified language for voluntary use that includes a QR code linking to the DMVA resource page. 

House committee substitute to the 2nd edition makes the following changes.

Modifies the assumptions underlying the calculation of a member’s lump sum payment to the Annuity Savings Fund to purchase up to four years of creditable service under new GS 135-4.5(h) (Retirement System for Teachers and State Employees [TSERS]) and new GS 128-26.5(h) (Local Government Employees Retirement System [LGERS]). Now requires that the assumed annual postretirement allowance increases set by each system’s Board of Trustees upon the advice of the consulting actuary assume an anti-selection risk and consummate surcharge.  Changes the effective date of new GS 135-4.5(h) and GS 128-26.5(h) to January 1, 2027 (was, July 1, 2025).

Requires the State Treasurer (Treasurer) to seek a private letter ruling from the IRS to determine if the provisions of the act jeopardize TSERS’s and LGERS’s status by January 1 of the following calendar year of 120 days of the act becoming law, whichever is later.

Directs that if the Treasurer sought a private letter ruling on the impact of the act on LGERS/TSERS, and the Internal Revenue Service declines to make a private letter ruling or does not issue a response by 15 days prior to the effective date of this act, then the act is repealed.  Also repeals the act on the last day of the month following the month of receipt of the specified determinations by the State Treasurer if any of the following occur: (1) the Internal Revenue Service fails to make a favorable determination that this act does not jeopardize the status of TSERS and/or (2) the Internal Revenue Service fails to make a favorable determination that this act does not jeopardize the status of LGERS. Provides for notice by the Treasurer to the Revisor of Statutes, its employees, and on its website in the event of the act’s repeal.  

Authorizes the Treasurer to increase receipts from the retirement assets from LGERS/TSERS (as appropriate) or pay costs associated with administration directly from retirement assets to pay costs associated with the administration of the act.

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

Amends the proposed language in GS 105-153.5 by no longer requiring the member of the Army National Guard or Air National Guard who holds one of the specified ranks to reside in North Carolina.

Amends GS 105-113.128 by amending the allocation of the proceeds of the tax on interactive sports wagering operators by reducing amount distributed to the North Carolina Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund to 29% (was, 30%); that remaining 1% will be credited to the General Fund. Applies to net proceeds credited on or after July 1, 2025.

Makes conforming changes to the long title.

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

Further narrows the scope of the release in GS 14-415.14 (concerning applications for concealed carry handgun permits) to only authorize a response to a yes or no question as to whether the person or entity has medical records pertaining to the applicant (was, information that the applicant has been diagnosed by a medical professional with a mental illness). Requires that the response be provided to the sheriff within fifteen days within receipt of the release. Extends the timeline for providing a further response if the person’s answer is “yes” from fifteen to thirty days. Now requires the person to either provide any copies of responsive mental health medical records (was, grounds for yes response) or a statement that the medical records in their custody do not relate to a mental health diagnosis if they do not have such records in their custody. Clarifies that GS 14-415.14 does not require the disclosure of records not related to mental health to the sheriff (was, did not require the disclosure of any records). Makes conforming changes to GS 14-415.15(a) and GS 14-415.13 (application for a permit). Modifies the information that must be provided as part of the sheriff’s grounds for denial of a concealed carry handgun permit under GS 14-415.15(c) so that the sheriff has to identify any medical professional or facility who provided a copy of mental health record, along with their contact information (was, sheriff had to identify any person or entity).

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Removes changes to defined term ordinary pocket knife in GS 14-269 (offense of carrying concealed weapons).  Changes the scope of the new exemption for persons meeting the five conditions listed, from the entirety of GS 14-269, to just GS 14-269(a) (prohibiting carrying concealed listed knives and other weapons except for pistols or guns). Adds eight further conditions that must be met for the exemption to apply, including that the person: (1) is not a fugitive from justice; (2) is not an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; (3) has not been adjudicated as mentally defective and has not been committed to any mental institution at 16 years of age or older; (4) is not an alien, either illegally or unlawfully in the United States; (5) has not been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions; (6) having been a citizen of the United States, has not renounced their citizenship; (7) is not subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening their intimate partner or child, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child; and (8) has not been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Makes technical changes.

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Amends proposed new GS 131E-155.2 by specifying that individuals solely credential as emergency medial dispatchers are not considered emergency medical services personnel (was, emergency medical dispatchers in general).

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

Deletes proposed GS 105-153.8(d1), allowing taxpayers to sign up to become an organ donor through their income tax return form. Instead enacts GS 105-153.8A, directing that income tax forms must include a section allowing resident taxpayers to elect to become an organ donor pursuant to state law. Details requirements of the section, including title, checkbox options, explanations of the authorization and that the authorization is not required, and a description of the process for amending or revoking an election. Authorizes the Secretary of Revenue to request information from the resident taxpayer or spouse to facilitate their election.

Amends GS 105-259(b), authorizing the disclosure of tax information by State officers, employees, and agents in order to furnish the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with the information of an individual who has elected to become an organ and tissue donor under new GS 105-153.8A for the purpose of making an anatomical gift pursuant to state law.

Modifies the proposed changes to GS 130A-412.7, changing the statutory reference for making an anatomical gift by method of election on an income tax return to new GS 105-153.8A. Adds a provision that anatomical gifts made by this method cannot include a donation of the donor's body. Modifies proposed subsection (c3), making an election via an income tax return valid upon the filing of the return and until revocation in the manner prescribed by GS 130A-412.8 (was in a manner prescribed by the Secretary).

Amends GS 20-43.2, relating to internet access of organ donation records by organ procurement organizations, to allow personally identifiable information on a donor registry about a donor or prospective donor without express consent of the donor, prospective donor, or person that made the anatomical gift in order to determine the statistical and demographic makeup of individuals who have and have not authorized an anatomical gift so organ procurement organizations can advocate for donation.

Changes the act's effective date to January 1, 2027, applicable for tax returns beginning on or after January 1, 2027 (was, effective for tax returns for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026).

Directs the Department of Revenue to adopt implementing rules by January 1, 2027.

Changes the long title.

Contains whereas clauses.

Part I.

Subject to approval by voters at the November 2026 statewide general election, amends the North Carolina Constitution as follows.

Adds new Section 25 to Article II requiring the NCGA to establish a nonpartisan process to revise electoral districts for the NCGA and the US House of Representatives after the return of every decennial census. Requires that under this process: (1) the NCGA will have no role in revising electoral districts for the NCGA or US House of Representatives; (2) each member of the NC Senate and NC House of Representatives and the US House of Representatives must represent, as nearly as may be, an equal number of inhabitants; (3) each electoral district must consist of contiguous territory; (4) to the extent practicable and consistent with federal law, no county can be divided in the formation of an electoral district for the NC Senate or NC House; (5) when established, the electoral districts for the NC Senate and NC House remain unaltered until the return of another decennial census; and (6) electoral districts adopted pursuant to the process have the force and effect of acts of the NCGA.

Makes conforming changes to Sections 3 and 5 of Article II. Makes a conforming change to Section 22(5) of Article II by removing redistricting bills from those exempt from the Governor’s veto.

Sets out the language to be included on the ballot.

Part II.

Enacts new Article 26 to GS Chapter 163, Nomination and Election of Appellate, Superior, and District Court Judges, providing the following. 

New GS 163-350 provides for the applicability of Article 26 to the nomination and election of justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the Court of Appeals, and superior and district court justices (hereafter, justices and judges).

New GS 163-351 provides for a nonpartisan primary election method for the nomination of justices and judges when there are more than two candidates for a single office or the number of candidates for a group of offices exceeds twice the number of positions to be filled when the filing period closes. Provides for the canvass of the primary and determination of nominations in the primary and election winners. 

New GS 163-352 provides for the form for notice of candidacy, the withdrawal of candidacy, and the certification of the candidate as a registered voter. Requires justices and judges to file their notices of candidacy with the State Board of Elections (State Board) no earlier than noon on the first Monday in December and no later than noon on the third Friday in December preceding the election. Prohibits any person from filing a notice of candidacy for more than one office or group of offices governed by Article 26 or GS 163-106.2, including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, all State executive officers, superior and district court judges, US Congress members, and district attorneys. Requires designation of candidacy at the time of filing when there are two or more vacancies for the office of justice or judge; sets out requirements for seeing election for a specialized district judgeship. Requires a person filing notice of candidacy for superior court judge to be a resident, at the time of filing, of the district as it will exist at the time the person would take office; sets out the same requirement for the nomination of a person as a superior court judge.

New GS 163-353 establishes a filing fee of 1% of the annual salary of the office sought. Provides for fee refunds for the withdrawal of candidacy or upon death of the candidate, as specified.

New GS 163-354 provides for the filing of a written petition in lieu of payment of the filing fee, as specified.

New GS 163-355 provides for the certification of notices of candidacy by the State Board and subsequent notification of local boards of elections.

New GS 163-356 sets out the requirements for filling a vacancy occurring in a judicial district for superior court judge, which requires there to be an election for one or more terms in that district to fill the vacancy(ies), setting out special rules for nomination and election.

New GS 163-357 authorizes the State Board to extend the filing period for five days for any offices for which candidates have not filed that are to be filled under Article 26. Details the process to be followed when a candidate is disqualified or dies before the primary, a candidate is alive and fails to withdraw after close of filing, or a candidate dies, is qualified, or fails to qualify after the person is elected. 

New GS 163-358 provides for elections to fill a vacancy in an office that is created after the primary filing period opens but more than 60 days before the general election. Provides that the State Board must designate a special filing period of one week for candidates for that office. Provides for a second primary election if two or more qualified candidates file and the vacancy occurs more than 63 days before the date of the second primary for members of the General Assembly, and a general election if two or more qualified candidates file and the vacancy occurs more than 64 days before the date of the second primary which must be held on the same day as the general election for members of the General Assembly. 

New GS 163-359 permits any person who will become qualified by age or residence to register to vote in the general election for which the primary is held, even though not so qualified by the date of the primary, to register for the primary and general election prior to the primary and then to vote in the primary after being registered. Prohibits such persons from registering earlier than 60 days nor later than the last day for making application to register for primary elections pursuant to GS 163-82.6(d) prior to the primary. 

New GS 163-360 sets the primary date for the same date as established for primary elections under GS 163-1(b), which provides for primaries to be on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in May preceding each general election to be held in November.

New GS 163-361 provides for the form of official ballots. Requires official ballots to be printed by the county board of elections, as specified. Provides requirements for the distribution of official ballots.

New GS 163-362 provides for counting ballots in primaries and elections to be in the same manner for nonpartisan municipal elections under Article 24 of GS Chapter 163.

New GS 163-363 establishes that the conduct of elections are governed by Article 12 of GS Chapter 163 (Precincts and Voting Places), except as provided by Article 26.

Effective with respect to primaries and elections held on or after January 1, 2026.

Part II-A

Makes conforming changes to GS 18C-112(e)(1), GS 163-1(b), GS 163-22.3, GS 163-82.10B, GS 163-106.2(a), GS 163-106.3, GS 163-106.5, GS 163-107(a), GS 163-107.1, GS 163-108, GS 163-111(c)(1), GS 163-114, and GS 163-165.5. Makes additional clarifying changes and makes language gender neutral.

Amends GS 163-122 to exempt elections under new Article 26 of GS Chapter 163 from the provisions for unaffiliated candidates nominated by petition. Amends GS 163-123 to exempt nonpartisan judicial elections conducted under Subchapter IX from the statute's provisions concerning declaration of intent and petitions for write-in candidates in partisan elections.

Applies to primaries and elections held on or after January 1, 2026.

Part III.

Amends GS 120-304, extending the amount of time that a former legislator must wait before registering as a lobbyist to two years. Previously the waiting period was either the close of session or six months after leaving office, whichever was later. Extends the amount of time a public servant or former public servant must wait before registering as a lobbyist to two years after leaving office or end of employment (was, six months). Extends the amount of time an employee of any State agency must wait before registering to lobby the State agency that previously employed them to two years (was, six months). Effective October 1, 2025.

Part IV.

Enacts new GS 163-82.5A to require the SBOE to ensure that the following are available to the public on its website: (1) online application for voter registration, the content of which must be equivalent to the form provided by designated voter registration agencies; (2) online assistance to those applying to register to vote; (3) online completion and submission by applicants of the voter registration application, including the applicant's signature; and (4) online receipt of completed voter registration applications. Deems an application to be submitted to the election authority on the date it is received. Sets out requirements for an applicant's signature. Requires the website to generate an immediate electronic confirmation that the application has been received. Requires the SBOE to accept an online voter registration application and ensure that the individual is registered to vote in this State if: (1) the individual meets the same voter registration eligibility requirements applicable to individuals who register to vote by mail and (2) the individual provides a signature in the specified manner. Requires the SBOE to ensure that a registered voter may update their registration information online. 

Makes conforming changes to account for the online registration in GS 163-82.3, GS 163-82.6, and GS 163-82.10.

Requires the SBOE to establish appropriate technological security measures to protect against unauthorized access to information and requires ensuring that online voter registration is provided in a way that is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Above provisions are effective December 1, 2025.

Appropriates $215,000 in recurring funds for each year of the 2025-27 biennium and $90,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the State Auditor for SBOE to implement online voter registration. Effective July 1, 2025.

Part V.

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

Amends GS 163-82.19 to require, beginning January 1, 2026, the Division of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the SBOE, to develop and implement a method by which eligible individuals shall be automatically registered to vote. Requires a voter to affirmatively opt-out of voter registration if the applicant chooses to decline automatic registration. Instructs DMV officials taking driver's license applications to affirmatively inquire whether the applicant wishes to register to vote or update their registration, note the applicant's response, and register the applicant to vote if the applicant wishes. The applicant must attest to the information provided for voter registration. Confidentiality of voter information must be maintained by the SBOE. Now requires that if a person who is not eligible to vote becomes registered to vote under GS 163-82.19, then the presumption is that the person’s registration is deemed officially authorized and not attributed to any fault of the person. Specifies that GS 163-82.19 does not require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to determine eligibility for voter registration and voting.

The above provisions are effective January 1, 2026.

Amends GS 163-82.20 to require, beginning January 1, 2027, voter registration agencies (which include state offices that accept applications for public assistance or provide services for persons with disabilities or for unemployment benefits) to provide, in consultation with the SBOE, an application process for automatic voter registration with each recertification, renewal, or change of address relating to the service or assistance of the agency. Requires a voter to affirmatively opt-out of voter registration if the applicant choose to decline to register to vote. Specifies certain procedural requirements substantially similar to those provided for in GS 163-82.19, as amended. Clarifies that a voter registration agency providing home voter registrations for disabled individuals is not required to provide automatic voter registration at the person’s home. Requires electronic transmittal of applications to the appropriate board of elections. Provides that if a person who is not eligible to vote becomes registered to vote under GS 163-82.19, then the presumption is that the person’s registration is deemed officially authorized and not attributed to any fault of the person.

Amends GS 163-82.20A to require informing a person of automatic voter registration when they are restored to citizenship and all required filings are complete. Effective January 1, 2026.

Tasks SBOE with establishing and implementing an education and outreach campaign to inform voters of the voter registration procedures established by the act. Effective January 1, 2026.

Part VI.

Amends GS 143-318.14A to specify that reasonable public notice (might intend to require adequate public notice, as defined below) of all commission, committee, and standing subcommittee meetings must be given to all General Assembly members; members of the commission, committee, or subcommittee; and to the Legislative Services Office (was, only that reasonable public notice must be given without specifying the recipient of the notice). Requires that the notice be posted on General Assembly’s website by the Legislative Services Office.  Defines adequate public notice as written or electronic notice that is posted and mailed or e-mailed to those who requested notice at least 48 hours before the time of the meeting.  Requires that the notice include the time, date, location, and to the extent known, the agenda of the meeting. Requires that the agenda for a noticed meeting be readily available for public inspection no less than 24 hours in advance of the time of the meeting and prohibits changing the agenda except for items of an emergency nature, after the notice has been made available to the public. Requires that commission, committee, or standing subcommittee members receive the text of all bills, proposed committee substitutes, and amendments that will be considered during the scheduled meeting no later than 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Prohibits considering or acting on a bill, proposed committee substitute, or amendment that has not been made available to the members as required.

Requires the Legislative Services Officer (LSO) to ensure live audiovisual streaming of all floor proceedings and committee meetings held in the Legislative Complex, to include public participation and comment to the extent allowed by the technology, and access to the recorded live stream on a centralized website within 48 hours after all floor proceedings or committee meetings. Further tasks the LSO with making sure that the livestreams are properly recorded and saved.

Part VII.

Amends the procedure for absentee voting under GS 163-231 to only require one witness instead of two. Makes conforming changes including removing the provision allowing one notary to act as a witness instead of the two witnesses.  Makes conforming changes to GS 163-229. Amends GS 163-230.2 to allow a request form for an absentee ballot to be delivered to the county board of elections in person or by mail, email, or fax.

Part VIII.

Amends GS 163-129 by adding that the county board of election’s ability to demand and use any school or other State, county, or municipal building, or any other building, which is supported or maintained with tax revenues, also includes ensuring the use of voting places on college campuses. Also requires the State Board of Elections to make reasonable efforts to provide means for other college campuses to be used as voting places.

Part IX.

Amends GS 163-82.14 to require before the county board of elections removes from its voter registration record any person the Department of Health and Human Services has listed as deceased, that the county board confirm that the complete date of birth of the deceased person and the last four digits of the Social Security number are identical to the person to be removed from the voter registration records. Sets out alternative record matching when the last four digits of the social security number are not available. Allows the county board of elections to remove a person from its list if the registrant fails to respond after no less than 60 days (previously, no time frame was specified) to a confirmation mailing and does not vote or appear to vote in an election beginning on the date of the notice and ending on the day after the date of the second general election for the US House of Representatives that occurs after the date of the notice. Adds to the requirements for the confirmation notice that if a voter has provided the county board of elections with an email address, to allow the use of an email that (1) provides the confirmation mailing has been sent, (2) contains information on how the registrant may confirm the registrant's current address online, and (3) contains information on how the voter may continue to be eligible to vote if the registrant has moved outside the county. Allows, if no email is provided, contacting the voter via phone. Prohibits a county board of elections from removing a registrant from its list of registered voters solely based on the county board receiving a return mailing as "undeliverable" without taking steps to confirm the registrant's current address by other means.

Part X.

Amends GS 163-278.12 (special reporting of contributions and independent expenditures) and GS 163-278.12C (special reporting of electioneering communications) by adding the following. Requires that filers reporting donations of $1,000 or more under the aggregate (except for political committees that do not receive more than $6,400 or the amount set in GS 163-278.13, which sets out limitations on contributions, from any one person in an election) disclose the identity of the original source (as defined in the act) of the funds, the amounts of those donations, and any intermediaries who transferred the funds before they were contributed to the filer. Requires any person or entity making a donation of $1,000 or more, in the aggregate, in an election to a person or entity required to report donations under these requirements to inform that person or entity of the identity of the original sources of funds being transferred, the amounts of the persons' original funds being transferred, and the identity of any persons who previously transferred the original funds.

Amends GS 163-278.39 by adding the following requirement to those that must be met in order for any sponsor to sponsor an advertisement in the print media or on radio or television that constitutes an expenditure, independent expenditure, electioneering communication, or contribution that is required to be disclosed. Requires that an advertisement made by a sponsor other than a candidate, political party organization, an individual solely spending the individual's own personal funds received through wages, investment income, or bequests or a person solely spending money received through ordinary commercial transactions include the legend or include the specified statement naming the top three donors who helped pay for the message.

Part XI.

Amends GS 163-278.6 (applicable to Article 22A, Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns) by defining the term digital communication as any communication, for a fee, placed or promoted on a public-facing website, web application, or digital application, including a social network, advertising network, or search engine. Amends the definition of electioneering communication to include a digital communication that meets all of the already specified criteria. Also amends the definition of advertisement in GS 163-278.38Z (applicable to Part 1A, Disclosure Requirements for Media Advertisements), to include messaging through digital communication that constitutes a contribution or expenditure.

Amends GS 163-278.39 by making the statute’s requirements for political advertisements applicable to the sponsorship of an advertisement through digital communication. Establishes size and content requirements for digital communication advertisements. Makes conforming changes.

Amends GS 163-278.39C to make the statute’s disclosure requirements applicable to the sponsor of an advertisement though digital communication.

Enacts new GS 163-278.39D requiring that digital communication covered by GS 163-278.39(a) (setting out the requirements to be met for any sponsor to sponsor an advertisement in the print media or on radio or television that constitutes an expenditure, independent expenditure, electioneering communication, or contribution required to be disclosed) to submit that digital communication to the State Board of Elections along with the disclosure information required under G.S. 163-278.39. That information is to be on the State Board of Elections website and is deemed public record. Sets out information that must be included on the website.

Effective September 1, 2025.

Part XII.

Amends GS 163-278.39 by adding that a foreign national expending funds for political advertising that addresses a specific issue to influence State or local government policy, a State or local government officer, or an election must include a statement in the advertisement (1) that identifies the foreign national and (2) disclosing that the foreign national sponsored the advertising.

Part XIII.

Enacts GS 163-278.12B requiring a political committee that makes only independent expenditures to notify the Board of Elections of any: (1) contribution in excess of $1,000 received by the committee before an election but after the period covered by the last report due before that election and (2) any contribution or donation in excess of $1,000 made by the committee before an election but after the period covered by the last report due before that election. Sets out required timing of the notifications. Requires a person who receives such contribution or donation and transfers more than $1,000 of the funds to another person to disclose specified information on the contribution to that person when the transfer is made.

Part XIV.

Recodifies GS 163-278.69 as GS 163-278.129.

Enacts new Article 22I of GS Chapter 163 providing as follows, effective when the act becomes law, with distributions from the Fund beginning in the 2022 election year. States the purpose of Article 22J. Reestablishes the North Carolina Public Campaign Fund (Fund) as an alternative source of campaign financing for candidates who demonstrate public support and voluntarily accept strict fundraising and spending limits. Provides that the Article is available to candidates for justice of the Supreme Court and judges of the Court of Appeals in elections held in 2026 and thereafter. The Fund is to finance the election campaigns of certified candidates for office and to pay administrative and enforcement costs of the State Board of Elections (Board). 

The following are sources of money in the Fund: (1) designations made by taxpayers to the Public Campaign Fund, (2) Fund revenues distributed for an election that remain unspent or uncommitted at the time the recipient is no longer a certified candidate in the election, (3) money ordered returned to the Fund, (4) voluntary donations made directly to the Fund, and (5) money collected from the $50 surcharge on attorney membership fees (this provision is effective January 1, 2026, and applies to membership fees due for 2026).

Requires individuals choosing to receive campaign funds from the Fund to file a declaration of intent to participate as a candidate for a stated office. Sets out requirements for the timing of the filing and for an affirmation that only one political committee will handle all contributions, expenditures, and obligations for the candidate and that the candidate will comply with the contribution and expenditure limits and other requirements. Requires participating candidates seeking certification to receive campaign funds from the Fund to first obtain qualifying contributions from at least 350 registered voters, in a sum that at least equals the amount of minimum contributions, but does not exceed the specified amount of maximum qualifying contributions. Sets out the procedure under which the Board will certify candidates as meeting the necessary requirements. 

Sets out the following restrictions on contributions and expenditures with respect to participating and certified candidates:

(1) Beginning January 1 of the year before the election and before the filing of a declaration of intent, a candidate for office may accept in contributions up to $10,000 from sources and in amounts permitted by Article 22A and may expend up to $10,000 for any campaign purpose. Candidates exceeding these limits will be ineligible to file a declaration of intent or receive funds from the Fund.

(2) From the filing of a declaration of intent through the end of the qualifying period, a candidate may accept only qualifying contributions, contributions under $10 from North Carolina voters, and personal and family contributions. The total contributions the candidate may accept during this period must not exceed the defined maximum qualifying contributions for that candidate. In addition to these contributions, the candidate may expend during this period only the remaining money raised under (1), along with any possible matching funds. With named exceptions, multiple contributions from the same contributor to the same candidate must not exceed $500.

(3) After the qualifying period and through the date of the general election, the candidate must expend only the funds the candidate received from the Fund pursuant to GS 163-278.125(b)(4) (funds distributed in a contested general election in specified amounts for Supreme Court and Court of Appeals candidates) plus any funds remaining from the qualifying period and any possible matching funds.

(4) During the qualifying period, the candidate may contribute up to $1,000 of that candidate's own money to the campaign. Specifies that debt incurred by the candidate for a campaign expenditure counts toward that limit. Allows accepting contributions of $1,000 from each member of that candidate's family (spouse, parent, child, brother, and sister). Allows treating up to $500 of a contribution from the candidate's family member as a qualifying contribution if it meets specified requirements.

(5) Requires a candidate and the candidate's committee to limit the use of all revenues permitted by this subsection to expenditures for campaign-related purposes only.

(6) Any contribution received by a participating or certified candidate that falls outside what is permitted must be returned to the donor as soon as practicable. Contributions intentionally made, solicited, or accepted in violation of this Article are subject to civil penalties.

(7) Requires a candidate to return to the Fund any amount distributed for an election that is unspent and uncommitted at the date of the election, or at the time the individual ceases to be a certified candidate, whichever occurs first.

Allows a decision to participate in the Fund to be revoked by the specified deadline. Allows candidates in elections under GS 163-358 (appears to intend GS 163-357, as enacted, filling vacancies in office created after primary filing period opens) to participate in the Fund and sets out requirements for such candidates.

Requires distributions from the Fund to be made within five business days after a certified candidate's name is approved to appear on the ballot in a contested general election, but no earlier than five business days after the primary. Sets out the amounts to be distributed from the fund in contested general elections. 

Sets out candidate reporting requirements with different requirements for noncertified and certified candidates. 

Directs that when any report or group of reports shows that "funds in opposition to a certified candidate or in support of an opponent to that  candidate" (as calculated under GS 163-278.127) exceed the trigger for matching funds as defined in GS 163-278.121(19), for the SBOE to immediately issue an additional amount equal to the reported excess within the limits set forth in the statute to that certified candidate. Provides for limits on total matching funds to qualified candidates before the date of the primary and the general election. Provides for expedited distributions of matching funds.  Directs that matching funds are not available for the following: (1) an expenditure that supports all candidates for the same office or opposes all candidates for the same office and (2) an electioneering communication that the SBOE ascertains is susceptible of no reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for all candidates for the same office or to vote against all candidates for the same office.

Violations of the Article can result in a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation or three times the amount of any financial transaction involved in the violation, whichever is greater. Also, for good cause shown, may require candidates to return distributed amounts to the Fund.

Amends GS 84-34 by requiring active members of the North Carolina State Bar to pay a $50 surcharge for the Fund. Effective January 1, 2026, and applies to membership fees due for 2026.

Reenacts GS 105-159.2 (designation of tax to the Fund) as it existed immediately before its repeal and makes conforming change to account for new Article 22I, effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Lists new campaign contribution limits for candidates for justice of the Supreme Court and judge of the Court of Appeals in GS 163-278.13, as follows: (1) prevents candidates from accepting, contributors from making to that candidate, a contribution in any election exceeding $1,000 except as otherwise provided by the statute and (2) authorizes a candidate and a family contributor (parent, child, brother, or sister) to make a contribution not exceeding $2,000.  Defines “candidate” to include a political committee authorized by the candidate for that candidate's election. Clarifies that GS 163-278.13 does not prevent a candidate or the spouse of that candidate from making a contribution or loan secured entirely by that individual's assets to that candidate's own campaign.

Makes conforming changes to GS 163-278.5 and SL 2013-381, Section 38.1(a).

Makes conforming repeals of SL 2013-360 Section 21.1(i), (j), and (l); and SL 2013-381, Section 38.1(l), (m), and (o).

Part XV.

Amends GS 13-1 by amending the triggers to the automatic restoration of the rights of citizenship to a person convicted of a crime, to now include: (1) the release from active punishment to a period of post-release supervision or parole of a person whose sentence was not suspended by the court (was, unconditional discharge of an inmate, probationer, or of a parolee by the State agency having jurisdiction over that person or of a defendant under a supervised sentence by the court); and (2) upon the suspension of an active sentence resulting in the imposition of an intermediate or community punishment. Makes conforming and clarifying changes to GS 13-2. Amends GS 163-82.14 concerning the State Board of Elections’ program to update the official lists of eligible voters, to require the Executive Director of the State Board of Elections to notify the appropriate county board of elections of any conviction(s), as specified, for which citizen rights have been forfeited and not yet restored. Provides that when a county receives one of these notices and the person’s name is removed from the voting records, if the person objects to the removal, then the notice the county board received is prima facie evidence for the preliminary hearing, not only that the person was convicted of a felony, but also that the registrant’s citizenship rights have not been restored.

Part XV-A.

Repeals SL 2023-140 (making various changes to State election law), Subpart III-A of SL 2024-57 (transferring control of the SBOE to the Auditor and making other elections changes).

Part XVI.

Makes it unlawful to try to evade the reporting and disclosure requirements of Parts X through XIII of the act by structuring, or attempting to structure, any solicitation, contribution, donation, expenditure, disbursement, or other transaction, punishable by at least the amount contributed or undisclosed, but not to exceed double the amount contributed or undisclosed.

Part XVII.

Includes a severability clause.

Part XVIII.

Provides that the act is effective on the date the act becomes law, unless otherwise provided.

 

Recognizes the existence of a backlog of drivers who are unable to renew drivers licenses in person. Establishes that Class C drivers licenses shall remain valid to establish driving privileges for up to two years after the license expiration date. Exempt from this extension are: (1) currently cancelled, revoked, or suspended licenses, and (2) Real ID licenses that have been valid for eight or more years. Set to expire December 31, 2027.

Substantively identical to H 532, filed 3/26/25.

Amends GS 153A-311 to clarify a board of county commissioners may define a county research and production service district for any service or function that a city or county is authorized to maintain “in its territorial jurisdiction.” Specifies that the concurrent resolutions creating a multi-county district in GS 153A-313 must provide the number of advisory committee members, at least 10, and that the resolutions may allow the appointments to be divided among the counties proportionate to the respective size of the district. Adds new subsection (a1) to GS 153A-314 (Extension of service districts), allowing multi-county districts to annex territory wholly within one county with a resolution adopted by the board of county commissioners for that county.

Allows a county to designate the developer of a research and development park established as a research and production service district as an agent that may contract to provide services, including streets, parks, schools, utilities, and transportation systems, within the district by amending GS 153A-315(a).

Adds new subsection (a1) to GS 153A-316.1 [Urban research service district (URSD)], which permits the creation of a multi-county district even if the portion of the district lying in any one of the counties does not by itself meet the standards required for a district.

Amends GS 153A-316.2(a) to clarify the appointments of URSD advisory committee members shall be set forth in the resolution creating the committee, and that for multi-county districts the concurrent resolutions may allow the appointments to be divided among the counties proportionate to the respective size of the URSD. Amends subsection (b) to provide that for multi-county districts described in GS 153A-316.1(a1), discussed above, the board of commissioners for each county may make one additional appointment to the advisory committee.

Adds new subsection (a1) to GS 153A-316.3 (Extension of URSD), allowing multi-county districts to annex territory wholly within one county with a resolution adopted by the board of county commissioners for that county.

Amends GS 153A-316.5(a) to allow a county or counties to designate the developer of a development park where the URSD is located as an agent to provide services, including streets, parks, schools, utilities, and transportation systems, within the URSD.

Clarifies in GS 153A-317(a) that only services that counties and cities are authorized by law to provide may be provided within a district. Increases the limit on additional property taxes in subsection (b) to 20 cents per $100 and removes previous language providing a range between 10 cents and 20 cents.

Amends GS 153A-317.1(a) to add “counties and” to the restriction that only services authorized to be provided by counties and cities may be provided in the URSD. Amends subsection (c) to clarify that projects benefiting the URSD may be included in the calculation of debt service payments based on taxes levied by the county, and that a capital project does not have to be located wholly within the URSD to be considered benefitting the URSD.

Adds “such as a greenway, to the extent it supports a means of public conveyance,” to the definition of “Public Transportation” in GS 153A-149(c)(27).

Adds new GS 163-165.6A, to prohibit the use of ranked choice voting in any election, primary, referendum, or appointment. Defines “ranked choice voting” as “a method that allows a voter the option to rank candidates for office in the voter’s order of preference.”

Amends GS 163-166.4 to expressly allow political canvassing in the area adjoining, rather than adjacent to, the buffer zone around a voting place. Requires the county board of elections to include in the information about each voting place details concerning the area adjoining the buffer zone in which political activity is permitted. Explicitly adds canvassing to the activities allowed in the area adjoining the buffer. 

Amends GS 163-166.40(b) to change the earliest permitted start date for the early voting period from the third Thursday before an election to the second Thursday.

Amends GS 163-230.1(g) to always require, as part of the “reasonable impediment” document concerning voter identification, the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number and, as one of the three additional data points to be provided by the voter, the voter’s date of birth.

Amends GS 163-230.2 to require the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number as part of the request form for an absentee ballot.

Applies to elections held on or after the date the bill becomes law.

Amends GS 14-208.7 by adding the following new subsections:

(1)   Subsection (e). Except as provided in subsection (f), mandates that each person required to register under GS 14-208.7 pay an annual fee equal to 1.25% of the current federal poverty level guidelines for a one-person household published by the US Department of Health and Human Services to support local responsibilities required by Article 27A. Designates sheriff to whom a registrant returns their verification each year to collect the fee. Clarifies that failure to pay will not impact a registrant’s ability to otherwise comply with the requirements of this Part (Sex Offender and Public Registration Program). Permits the county to seek collection of unpaid annual fees as a claimant agency under GS Chapter 105A. Requires the sheriff's office that collected the fee to retain the proceeds to supplement local funds provided to the sheriff’s office. Prohibits any registrant from being required to pay the fee more than once in a calendar year.

(2)   Subsection (f). Requires each sheriff to determine if the annual fee required by subsection (e) will be collected within that sheriff's county by January 1 of each year. Once that decision is made, it will be the decision for the county for the remainder of that calendar year even if the person holding the sheriff's office changes. If no determination is made, the sheriff must collect the annual fee.

(3)   Subsection (g). If a registrant request is made, the sheriff required to collect the annual fee, or their designee, must determine if the registrant is indigent and, if so, may waive all or part of the fee. Details procedural requirements for the determination and documentation required by the sheriff’s office. Requires a registrant to make this request each calendar year they would like this review and requires a new determination and record by the sheriff, or designee, upon each request.

(4)   Subsection (h). Makes clear that any registrant who is either incarcerated or under the supervision of the Department of Adult Correction, Division of Community Supervision and Reentry, at the time the annual fee would otherwise be collected, must be deemed indigent by the sheriff, or designee, and must not be assessed the annual fee. Requires this determination be made each year, recorded in writing, and retained by the sheriff’s office with the registrant’s records. 

Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends various sections of GS Chapter 74F, governing the licensure of locksmiths, as follows.

Amends GS 74F-3 to no longer limit locksmith services requiring licensure to services to buildings containing medical records, pharmaceutical records, educational records, criminal records, voting records, tax records, legal records, or personnel records. Makes the Chapter applicable to corporations, companies, firms, associations, or sole proprietorships that provides locksmith services to the public. Requires a licensed locksmith that owns one of the listed entities which provides locksmith services to obtain a locksmith business license. Requires annual renewal of locksmith business licenses. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the definition of locksmith under GS 74F-4 conditioning the practice of locksmith services upon a locksmith owning or being an employee or agent of a locksmith business. Defines locksmith business.

Amends GS 74F-7, adding to the qualifications for licensure. Requires applications for locksmiths and businesses licenses be made on forms provided by the Locksmith Licensing Board (Board) along with required fees. Establishes required content for locksmith business license applications, including an EIN from the IRS, and requires applications be filed by the owner, a partner, an LLC member, or an officer, as applicable to the business entity. Requires the owner, a partner, the president, vice-president, or chairman, or a member of the locksmith business, as applicable, be an active licensed locksmith.

Amends GS 74F-7.1 adding completion of 16 hours of Board-approved technical locksmith training to the qualifications for apprentices. Makes changes to refer to apprentice licenses rather than designations. Requires applications be made on forms provided by the Board. Requires apprentices to display their badge card (no longer required to be colored) when engaging in locksmith services. Allows for a one-time renewal of the apprentice license. Adds a new requirement for apprentices to give the Board written notice within 15 days of termination of employment with their supervising licensed locksmith. Increases the number of apprentices a licensed locksmith may have at one time from two to three. Establishes a 15-day period within which the licensed locksmith is required to contact the Board upon termination of supervision of an apprentice.

Sets the cap for a business license fee at $100 under GS 74F-9.

Amends GS 74F-15, expanding the Board's disciplinary authority listed to include denying or refusing issuance of a license or designation. Modifies the disciplinary grounds to include violation of the Chapter or any rules promulgated by the Board (was, willful violation of the Chapter's provisions only). Grants the board new authority to place on probation, refuse to issue or renew, suspend, or revoke a locksmith business license when an owner, partner, manager, member, operator, officer, licensee, apprentice, or other individual under the direct control and supervision of a licensed locksmith working for the locksmith business violates any provision of the Article or any rule of the Board.

Amends the definition of "direct control and supervision" under GS 74F-16(1) as it applies to the exemption of employees of licensees from the Chapter, to require that the licensed locksmith remain present at all times an employee is engaged in the practice of locksmith services for the exemption to apply. Expands the exemption for persons or businesses providing listed services who do not represent themselves as a locksmith to include emergency roadside assistance services if the services are provided in the normal course of business; excludes production of new or duplicate keys for customers. Includes auto parts stores in the exemption provided for merchants, retail stores, and hardware stores, subject to the four existing qualifications for their exemption.

Amends GS 74F-17 authorizing a court to award attorneys' fees and costs to the Board in a successful action for an injunction for violations of the Chapter.

Effective October 1, 2025.

Authorizes the Board to adopt implementing rules.

Amends Article 9C of GS Chapter 143 as follows.

Adds and defines private commercial inspection in GS 143-151.8, applicable to Article 9C governing the NC Code Officials Qualification Board (Board), defining the term as inspection by a private commercial inspection of the manner, workmanship, and materials for the construction of commercial buildings and structures for compliance with the NC Building Code (Code), excluding sections pertaining to boilers and elevators. Defines private commercial inspection firm as a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, sole proprietorship, or other legal business entity registered pursuant to this Article that employs or contracts with one or more licensed private commercial inspectors to engage in the practice of private commercial inspection. Also adds and defines private commercial inspector.

Adds the following to the powers of the Board under GS 143-151.12: (1) certification of individuals as private commercial inspectors and registration of private commercial inspectors and private commercial inspection firms; (2) establishing minimum standards and level of education and experience for private commercial inspector instructors; (3) conducting and encouraging research by public and private agencies be designed to improve education and training in private commercial inspection; (4) consulting and cooperating with local government entities, State and other governmental agencies, and educational institutions on the development of private inspector schools, training, programs, and courses of instruction; (5) ensuring the minimum standards for education of private commercial inspectors includes specific instruction on the duties and responsibilities imposed by law on such inspectors; and (6) establishing criteria to be used by the Office of State Fire Marshal (Office) to verify that private commercial inspectors meet the standards of the profession. Removes the requiring the establishment of a marketplace pool of qualified Code enforcement officials available for the specified purposes.

Adds new subsections to GS 143-151.14 (comity) authorizing the Board to grant a standard private commercial inspector certificate for a particular type of position and level for individuals holding certification as the equivalent of a private commercial inspector in good standing by a similar out-of-state board or by the International Code Council, without requiring an exam. Provides for a three-year certificate.

Enacts GS 143-151.14A to require certification to engage in private commercial inspection. Provides for a standard private commercial inspector certificate. Upon successfully passing an examination, provides for issuance of a certificate to building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or fire inspectors, with the certificate limiting the scope of practice to the specific inspection area and level. Allows for qualification for more than one standard certificate. Provides for Levels II and III of certificates and coordinating authorities to be provided by Board rules. Requires Level II standard certificates be issued to applicants who hold certification as a Code-enforcement official or architectural license. Only allow issuance of a Level III certificate to those individuals if they pass the exam. Exempts architects sitting for the Level III exam from any required prerequisite exam classes. 

Enacts GS 143-151.14B to authorize the Board to establish professional development requirements for private commercial inspectors as a condition of certificate renewal or reactivation. Prohibits requiring more than six credit hours per 12 month renewal period. Requires the Board to develop a continuing education program for licensed architects and engineers issued a standard private commercial inspector certificate. Authorizes the Board to require certified individuals to complete professional development courses. Details specific authorities for professional development requirements for reactivation of a standard certificate. Provides for extensions to meet the requirements for good cause shown. Authorizes the Board to adopt implementing rules that govern seven specified areas, including the ability to carry forward course credit and the procedures for compliance and sanctions for noncompliance.

Amends GS 143-151.15, deeming certificates valid as long as the person certified is employed by a registered private commercial inspection firm or self-employed as a private commercial inspector. Makes provisions applicable to returning and reissuing certificates of Code-enforcement officials applicable to standard private commercial inspector certificates.

Amends GS 143-151.16 by setting out the caps on fees for certification, and for renewal applications, for a qualified Code-enforcement official, or private commercial inspector. Allows a person, firm, corporation, or other entity intending to hire or contract with an individual for the purpose of performing private commercial inspections to pay the certification or recertification fee on behalf of that individual, regardless of whether that individual is already certified as a private commercial inspector or is seeking initial certification.

Expands GS 143-151.17 to prohibit a private commercial inspector from inspecting any property in which the inspector, or a person with whom the inspector has a close familial (as defined), business, or other associational relationship, has ownership or direct financial interest. Extends the Board's investigative powers to actions of qualified private commercial inspectors and applicants, as well as the Board's disciplinary authority under the statute.

Expands GS 143-151.18, and GS 143-151.19, making the provisions governing Article violations and penalties, and Article administration applicable to Code-enforcement officials applicable to private commercial inspectors. Further amends GS 143-151.19 to require posting the list of currently certified Code-enforcement officials and private commercial inspectors on the Board’s website where it is publicly accessible.

Enacts GS 143-151.19A to require certification and registration with the Board to engage in private commercial inspection. Prohibits a private commercial inspection firm from engaging in private commercial inspection unless that firm is registered and employs or contracts with one or more private commercial inspectors certified under GS 143-151.14A. requires submission of an application that includes five categories of information, including a statement as to the applicant’s experience level I each of the areas in which the applicant plans to conduct or offer inspections. Provides for a registration number upon review of the plan and the person's qualifications, or written notice of the Board's basis for denial and the opportunity to resubmit the application. Allows for review of denied resubmitted applications. Requires the Board to maintain a list of registrations and to post this information on the Office’s website. Allows for amendments to registration by private commercial inspectors or inspection firms to the Board at any time. Requires the Board to establish a fee schedule for registrations, not to exceed $20 per applicant.

Makes changes throughout the above amended statutes to update statutory cross-references.

Amends GS Chapter 160D as follows.

Amends GS 160D-402 to require local governments to return fees to permit holders upon inspections performed by a private commercial inspector or private commercial inspection firm.

Amends GS 160D-403 to exclude from the inspector authorities provided in subsection (e) work for which a holder has elected to use private commercial inspections for inspection of commercial buildings and structures for compliance with the Code. Prohibits local governments from conducting final inspections of work or activity on commercial buildings or structures for projects under GS 160D-1105.1, as enacted, regarding inspection reports of commercial buildings or structures by a private commercial inspector.

Adds private commercial inspection, private commercial inspection firm, and private commercial inspector to the defined terms of Article 11, Building Enforcement, defined by statutory cross-reference.

Amends GS 160D-1102, to prohibit local governments from adopting or enforcing any ordinance prohibiting private commercial inspections by private commercial inspectors or private commercial inspection firms, and prohibits the Office from doing the same when the Office has intervened pursuant to subsection (b), upon failure of the local government to provide inspection services as required by law.

Enacts GS 160D-1103.1 to prohibit private commercial inspections except by qualified private commercial inspectors pursuant to Article 9C of GS Chapter 143, as amended.

Makes conforming changes to GS 160D-1104 to exclude from the scope of local government duties and responsibilities timely inspections made by private commercial inspectors and certificates of compliance with the Code issued or denied by a private commercial inspector.

Amends GS 160D-1105, authorizing local governments to contract with a certified and registered private commercial inspector or with a registered private commercial inspection firm to conduct inspections under Article 11. Additionally authorizes a permit holder to contract with a private commercial inspector or private commercial inspection firm to conduct private commercial inspections of commercial buildings and structures for compliance with the Code. Specifies that a Code Enforcement official employed by a local government but who also holds a private inspector certificate cannot be prohibited from engaging in private commercial inspection outside the local government’s jurisdiction.

Enacts GS 160D-1105.1 to require local governments and the State Fire Marshal to accept and approve, without any further responsibility to inspect, a signed inspection report evidencing the inspection of a commercial building or structure by a private commercial inspector that meets seven criteria, in the event the Office has intervened pursuant to GS 160D-1102(b) due to the local government's failure to make required inspections. Criteria include that (1) the private commercial inspection is limited in scope to compliance with the Code; (2) proof of compliance with financial responsibility requirements; and (3) execution of a written contract between the permit holder and the private commercial inspector that contains six specified terms. Upon issuing an inspection report receipt, relieves the local government, State Fire Marshal, its inspection departments, and its inspectors of liability and responsibilities with respect to the inspection. Requires the inspection report to comply with the form developed by the Board, which must include six specified types of information.

Enacts GS 160D-1105.2, specifying that the Article does not prevent a local government, before issuing a certificate of occupancy, from conducting acceptance testing or approving any fire prevention systems for which a private commercial inspector has issued a certificate of compliance.

Enacts GS 160D-1105.3 to establish bond requirements of building permit applicants intending to use a private commercial inspector or private commercial inspection firm. Provides for the permit holder to request the local government resume project inspections at any time, which allows local governments to claim against the payment bond inspection costs or otherwise seek payment from the permit holder.

Enacts GS 160D-1105.5 to direct the Board to develop specified uniform forms for use by private commercial inspections. Limits information local government can require to information provided on these forms.

Makes conforming changes to GS 160D-1109, regarding violations of inspection department members for failure to perform duties.

Amends GS 160D-1110 requiring permit applicants to attach an addendum to permit applications or amendments noticing intent to use a private commercial inspector or private commercial inspection firm on the project, with specified required content. Specifies information that must be in the notice. Makes the project still subject to the same local government permit fee schedule. Allows building permit holders using the local inspection department for project inspections, upon three days notice to the local inspection department, to use a private commercial inspector to conduct the inspection due on the project and to issue a project inspection report. Specifies that each use of a private commercial inspector on a project under GS 160D-1110 requires separate notice to the local government inspection department. Provides for local governments to not interfere with permitted projects being inspected by private commercial inspectors, except for the final fire inspection to be conducted by the local government and inspections necessary to determine compliance with applicable local law.

Amends GS 160D-1112 to require building permits to be amended to designate the use of or changed in the designated private commercial inspector or private commercial inspection firm.

Amends GS 160D-1116 to include private commercial inspectors in the duties of inspectors regarding final inspections and the issuance of certificates of compliance. Requires certificates issued by private commercial inspectors to be in the form developed by the Board. Requires a private commercial inspector to give a local government 30 days' notice of the date the inspector anticipates issuing a certificate of compliance, as specified, and provide a copy of an issued certificate of compliance to the local government, as specified, with receipt required to be acknowledged by the local government. Provides that only a local government may issue a temporary certificate of occupancy. Prohibits withholding a certificate of occupancy for which a certificate of compliance has been issued by a private commercial inspector. Provides for the local government and Fire Marshal’s reliance upon a certificate of compliance issued by a private commercial inspector and resulting indemnity. Expands the Class 1 misdemeanor for violating subsections (a) and (b) to now cover violations of the statute, as amended.

Amends GS 160D-1110.1 to allow a local government to use and contract with a licensed professional engineer or licensed architect certified under GS 143-151.13(f) or a certified and registered private commercial inspect, so long as the review does not exceed the specified time.

Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends GS 160D-403 by requiring local governments to ensure development approval processes run concurrently with other applications or processes from approvals notwithstanding that related development approvals for the project have not yet been obtained.

Repeals GS 143-139.4, concerning certain building inspections by the State. Amends GS 160D-402 by removing the provision require the local government to return the fee to the permit holder when the inspection is performed by a marketplace pool Code-enforcement official. Effective July 1, 2026.

Allows the Office to adopt temporary implementing rules within 90 days of the act becoming law, but specifies that no rules can become effective until July 1, 2026.

Titles the act the "Food Refrigeration Expansion for Safe Home-processing (FRESH) Act." Directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Department) to expand its Home Processor Program (HPP) to authorize the production and sale by program participants of refrigerated or frozen food products, and bakery products with cream or cream cheese fillings, including cheesecakes. Allows the Department to adopt temporary rules to implement the act, which will remain in effect until permanent rules are adopted. Directs that HPP remains subject to applicable food safety laws and inspections under State law. 

Enacts new GS 115C-81.58 requiring the standard course of study to requires that courses from elementary school through high school include age-appropriate units on the impact of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on American history. Requires the inclusion of at least the following: (1) early contributions of Asian immigrants as farmers, miners, fishermen, factory workers, and laborers who helped build the transcontinental railroad; (2) challenges and struggles that Asian immigrants have endured and persevered throughout US history; (3) role of Asian Americans in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s; (4) role of Asian Americans as the fastest growing minority group in the US; and (5) contribution of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in government, arts and sciences, and economic, cultural, social, and political developments in NC and the US. Applies to courses taught beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

Directs the Legislative Services Officer (LSO), in conjunction with the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee (JLTOC), to issue a request for proposals (RFP) and select a consultant to study alternative methods for highway funding that would supplement or replace the current system that relies predominantly on the gas tax, including the two listed funding alternatives. Requires the LSO and JLTOC to issue the RFP by November 1, 2025, and select a consultant by January 1, 2026. Provides for a report by the consultant on the study’s findings to the chairs of the specified NCGA committees and division by no later than May 1, 2026. Of the funds appropriated from the Highway Fund to the Department of Transportation (DOT), directs DOT to transfer $125,000 to the General Assembly to select a consultant to fulfill the purposes of the act. Allows funds to remain available until the conclusion of the study, with any unused funds reverting to the Highway Fund. Effective July 1, 2025.