REGULATORY REFORM ACT OF 2026. (NEW)

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View NCGA Bill Details2025-2026 Session
Senate Bill 445 (Public) Filed Monday, March 24, 2025
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FURTHER REGULATORY RELIEF TO THE CITIZENS OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Intro. by Jarvis.

Status: Placed On Cal For 08/04/2026 (House action) (Jul 27 2026)

SOG comments (1):

Long title change

House committee substitute to the 2nd edition changes the act's long title. Previous title was AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE AUTOMATIC ADOPTION OF ANY TEMPORARY WAIVER OR MODIFICATION ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OR THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE OR MEDICAID SERVICES UNDER SECTION 1135 OR 1812(F) OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT.

Bill History:

S 445

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Jul 27 2026 - View Summary

    Conference report makes the following changes to the 5th edition.

    Removes the following: Section 1 (repeal of the 2023 fisheries harvest reporting requirement), Section 7 (allowing students to complete surveys associated with nationally norm-referenced college admissions tests), Section 8 (allowable uses of PESA scholarship), Section 9.5 (Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund prioritization changes), Section 11 (developer choice for performance guarantees for driveway and encroachment projects), Section 16 (prohibiting local governments from requiring employers to bargain with labor organizations or set wages or benefits in consultation with a labor organization or similar entity), Section 17.5 (reduce continuing education hours for used motor vehicle dealer license renewal), and Section 19 (changes to the SBI’s subpoena authority). Renumbers the remaining provisions.

    Modifies existing content as follows.

    Section 23 (formerly Section 18).

    Changes the effective date of the section (which adds an approved firearm safety and training course) to October 1, 2026 (was, July 1, 2026).

    Section 41 (formerly Section 10).

    Further amends GS 160D-108.1 by removing the addition exceptions from when an established vested right precludes any development regulation by a local government which would change, alter, impair, prevent, diminish or otherwise delay the development or use of the property (was, except when (1) due to site conditions resulting from a natural disaster in an area with a declared disaster, the local government determines that under current site conditions the site no longer meets applicable safety, environmental, or engineering standards, or that preclusion of the development regulation would present a material risk to life, health, or property, or (2) upon adoption of a floodplain ordinance adopted to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program).  

    Section 43 (formerly Section 13).

    Amends the applicability of new GS 160D-703.1 (residential right of use in commercial districts) so that is now appliable to cities with a population of 50,000 or greater that are located in counties not in the coastal area, as that term is defined in GS 113A-103, with a population of 275,000 or greater (was cites with a population of 50,000 or greater located in counties with a population of 275,000 or greater).

    Section 44 (formerly Section 14).

    Amends the applicability of new GS 160D-917 (accessory dwelling units) so that it applies only to cities with a population of 50,000 or greater, that are not in the coastal area, as that term is defined in GS 113A-103 (was, population of 50,000 or greater, with no mention of coastal area). Changes the effective date of the statute to January 15, 2027 (was, October 1, 2026).

    Adds the following new content.

    Part I

    Section 4.

    Amends GS 47C-3-121 (applicable to condominiums) and GS 47F-3-121 (applicable to planned communities) by removing the exception to the prohibition on regulating or prohibiting the display of an American or North Carolina Flag no greater than 4x6 feet displayed in the appropriate manner, for restrictions that were written on the first page of the instrument or conveyance in the specified format and messaging. 

    Section 5.

    Amends GS 25-9-102, GS 143-143.9, and GS 143-145 by removing the current definition of manufactured home and now defining it as it is defined in the specified federal law. Amends GS 20-58.4A and GS 41-56 by replacing the term mobile home with manufactured home. Makes a technical change in GS 24-1.1E. Amends GS 47-20.6 and GS 41-56 by adding that manufactured home is defined as it is defined in the specified federal law. Amends GS 47H-1 by making a clarifying change. Amends GS 58-38-90 by adding a cross-reference to the definition of manufactured home. Effective October 1, 2026.

    Section 6.

    Amends GS 87-43.1 by exempting from Article 4, Electrical Contractors, of GS Chapter 87 a person temporarily attaching listed single 3-prong receptacles or power taps to existing temporary luminaries or lighting fixtures and plugging those luminaries or fixtures into exiting permanent receptacles, only when the three listed conditions apply, including that a valid electrical permit is obtained from the local authority having jurisdiction before the work. 

    Section 7.

    Amends GS 86B-32 by amending the exemption from Article 2, Barbers, of GS Chapter 86B, for a person whose duties are expressly confined to shampooing or blow drying of hair to no longer require that they be employed by a barbershop. Amends GS 88B-25 by amending the exemption from GS Chapter 88B for a person whose duties are expressly confined to shampooing or blow drying of hair to no longer require that they be employed in a cosmetic art shop and by removing the requirement that they comply with rules related to sanitary management of cosmetic art shops.

    Section 8.

    Enacts new GS 90-624.1 providing that a person providing only stretching services is not required to be licensed as a massage and bodywork therapist. Allows a massage and bodywork therapy establishment to employ or contract with one or more person to provide stretching services. Specifies that establishment’s license does not extend any authorization to practice massage and bodywork therapy to a person providing only stretching services at the establishment, and the person is not authorized to practice massage and bodywork therapy under the establishment’s license. Amends GS 90-632.16 concerning the prohibition of unlicensed massage and bodywork therapy at establishments by adding that the statute does not prohibit a massage and bodywork therapy establishment from employing or contracting with a person to provide only stretching services and specifies that for the purposes of the statute, a person providing only stretching services is not employed or contracted to provide massage and bodywork therapy. Amends GS 90-624 by adding that the Article does not prohibit or affect providing stretching services by a person providing only those services. Amends GS 90-622 by adding and defining the terms active stretching, active-assisted stretching, passive stretching, and stretching services.

    Section 9.

    Enacts new GS 160D-702.1 providing as follows. Prohibits a local government from adopting or enforcing a glazing requirement requiring glazing, transparency, windows, doors, storefront glass, faux windows, or other transparent or translucent facade materials to exceed 35% of the ground-floor facade area (was defined) of a commercial or mixed use building. Defines glazing requirement. Provides that for portions of a commercial or mixed-use building used primarily for non-storefront purposes, local governments are prohibited from adopting or enforcing a glazing requirement that requires glazing or transparency to exceed 20% of the ground-floor facade area; includes a list of eight items that are considered non-storefront uses. Specifies that these limitations apply only to glazing or transparency required by a local government; voluntary glazing is not limited by this statute and local governments may not condition development approvals on voluntary glazing in excess of the statutes’ limits. Sets out eight areas not impacted by this statute. Effective October 1, 2026, and voids any development regulation that is inconsistent with GS 160D-702.1 on or after that date to the extent of the inconsistency. Specifies that this does not affect the validity of a development approval issued, or an application for a development approval submitted before the October 1, 2026, effective date.

    Section 10.

    Amends GS 20-171.15 to allow persons under age 16 to operate all-terrain vehicles if they: (1) are at least eight years old, (2) participate in or have completed the specified safety course, (3) it has been determined by a course instructor that they cannot safely operate an all-terrain vehicle that complies with the Age Restriction Warning label and that the vehicle to be operated is appropriate for the person, (4) that the person meets requirements related to brake reach, leg length, grip reach, and handlebar control, (5) operates the all-terrain vehicle while supervised by the safety course instructor while participating in the course, or after the course, under supervision of a person age 18 or older, and (6) comply with all other requirements of the Part.  

    Amends GS 20-171.20 to allow an all-terrain vehicle safety certification issued to a person under age 16 to include a written rider-fit determination by the course instruction identifying the appropriate type or size of vehicle for the person.

    Section 11.

    Amends GS 130A-280 to exclude from Part 10, Public Swimming Pools, of GS Chapter 130A, private pools serving a single family dwelling used by a person providing swim instruction, regardless of whether their guests or the swim instructor gain use of the private pool through a sharing economy platform or pay a fee for its use. Makes conforming changes. Amends GS 130A-39 by including in the prohibition on a local board of health from adopting a rule concerning a private pool serving a single family dwelling otherwise exempt from regulation under GS 130A-280, rules concerning the recreational or instructional use of the exempt private pool.  

    Section 12-17.

    Creates exemptions to the statutory due dates for the annual reports that must be filed by corporations (new GS 55-16-22.3), LLCs (new GS 57D-2-26), and limited liability partnerships (new GS 59-84.6) under State law for those entities owned by deployed members of the Armed Forces, as follows.  For corporations and limited liability partnerships, specifies that a deployed member of the Armed Forces is a member of the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, or Space Force or a member of any reserve component, who is removed from his or her county of residence pursuant to an official order for a deployment period that ends on or after the ninetieth day preceding the due date of the annual report. For LLCs the deployment period is one that ends on or after the ninetieth day preceding the due date of the annual report. Deems an annual report timely filed for corporations and limited liability partnerships if it is filed by the requisite entity in which more than 50% of the ownership interest is owned by one or more deployed members and within 90 business days of the end of the deployment period. Imposes the same ownership requirements on LLCs owned by deployed members of the Armed Forces, but deems the date of timely filing April 15 of the year immediately following the end of the deployment period. Requires the corporation/LLC/limited liability partnership (collectively, the businesses) to electronically file a sworn affidavit of deployment with the Secretary of State prior to the start of the deployment. Provides for extensions if the deployment is extended; requires filing a sworn affidavit of extended deployment. Only allows for dissolution if the period of delinquency for the applicable ground is 180 days or more past the end of the deployment period indicated in the affidavit of deployment. Waives document fees and the filing fee for the report due after the end of deployment for the businesses. Makes conforming changes to GS 55-16-22 (annual report--corporations); GS 57D-2-24 (annual reports--LLCs); and GS 59-84.4 (annual reports--limited liability partnerships). Effective October 1, 2026. 

    Amends GS 132-1.2 making confidential information that reveals information contained in an affidavit of deployment or an affidavit of extended deployment under the statutes above. Effective October 1, 2026. 

    Effective when the act becomes law, requires the Secretary of State to make the notice of deployment forms available by October 1, 2026. 

    Section 17.5.

    Amends Section 5A.3 of SL 2026-41 as follows.

    Requires that North Carolina Division of Emergency Management (NCEM), rather than the Department of Transportation (DOT) develop a separate design category and standard for private bridges allowing lower design loads for residential and agricultural uses, and simpler abutments and foundations that maintain residential code compliance; allows consulting with DOT in developing this category and standard. Requires that the standard be based on recognized structural design and safety principles (was, maintain American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials load and safety criteria) and allow allows for alternative construction methods and foundation systems; requires it be appropriate for both private residential and agricultural bridge applications. Adds criteria that must be considered and applied. Adds a new provision requiring NCEM, for private bridge projects with an estimated construction cost of $500,000 or less, to allow qualified design-build delivery by a North Carolina licensed general contractor holding the highway classification. Prohibits NCEM from requiring the use of prescriptive standard bridge plans where a project-specific design, prepared and sealed by the licensed professional engineer, demonstrates compliance with the applicable loading and safety criteria. Makes conforming changes. Amends Section 2C.1 of SL 2025-2 to allow NCEM (was required) to consult with DOT in administering the Private Road and Bridge Repair and Replacement Program.

    Requires NCEM to develop the separate design category and standard within 60 days of the act’s effective date.

    Effective retroactively to July 1, 2026.

    Part II

    Section 24.

    Requires any school buildings constructed in Brunswick County on or after the date that the section becomes law to be at least 1 mile, measured in a straight line from property line to property line, from any existing sport shooting range. Defines school building and sport shooting range.

    Section 25.

    Adds new Article 11, Rural Recreational and Heritage Event Nuisance Immunity, in GS Chapter 99E, providing as follows. Specifies that a facility is not subject to any action brought by a surrounding property owner under any nuisance or taking cause of action arising from a rural recreational and heritage event at the facility if the following were true as of the date that the surrounding property owner purchased property in the area of the facility, or if the surrounding property owner owned that property before events were first conducted at the facility, as of the date that the surrounding property owner first constructed a building on that property: (1) the facility was lawfully established and complying with laws, ordinances, and permitting requirements applicable when the facility was established, and (2) one or more rural recreational and heritage events have been conducted at the facility within 24 months preceding the date on which the surrounding property owner purchased the property or constructed the building. Defines area of the facility as the area within a 3-mile radius of the perimeter of the property or a contiguous group of properties where a facility is located. Also defines facility, and rural recreational, and heritage event.

    Part III

    Section 28.

    Repeals GS 143B-279.19(17) which required the rates under GS 143-215.94C (commercial leaking petroleum underground storage tank cleanup fees) to be adjusted every four years in accordance with the Consumer Price Index computed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics during the prior two bienniums. 

    Reduces the annual operating fee under GS 143-215.94C (commercial leaking petroleum underground storage tank cleanup fees) from $498 to $420 and the late fee from $6 to $5 per day, per tank. Applies to fees imposed on or after October 1, 2026.

    Section 29.

    Enacts new Gs 143-215.1D, providing as follows. Requires the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC) the Commission for Public Health, to each recognize and honor a DEQ  permit and DHHS permit for a combined wastewater treatment facility (a treatment facility, the effluent from which is discharged, in whole or in part, through a  DEQ permit and, in whole or in part, through a DHHS permit). Prohibits neither Department nor Commission from disregarding, excluding, or declining to credit capacity authorized under a permit issued by the other department, including a DHHS permit, when determining the total permitted treatment and disposal capacity of a wastewater treatment facility. Requires, when requested by the owner or operator of a combined wastewater treatment facility that is discharging under a DHHS or DEQ permit, or an owner or operator of a wastewater treatment facility that seeks to discharge under a DHHS permit, a permit issued under GS 143-215.1 (Control of sources of water pollution; permits required), or both, DHHS must authorize a combined permitted capacity equal to the sum of the capacities approved under a DHHS permit or GS 143-215.1, less the combined permitted capacity attributable to shared treatment and conveyance components for both systems that may limit the combined system capacity to less than the total capacity authorized for the two systems. Sets out requirements for the permits related to the division of regulatory authority, delineation of jurisdiction, prohibition on encroachment, severability of permits and conditions, and construction of the statute. Requires the issuance of permits, certificates of coverage, and authorizations for the extension of a sewer system to a combined wastewater treatment facility to be on the basis of the combined permitted capacity of that facility. Requires the Departments to enter into a memorandum of agreement establishing procedures for the reciprocal recognition of capacity and for the issuance of permits. Allows the Commissions to adopt rules to implement this statute.

    Section 29.

    Amends GS 130A-336.1 (Alternative process for wastewater system approvals) by adding the following. Requires that capacity authorized by a permit issued under this statute, and under a DHHS permit as described under GS 143-215.1D(a)(3), be recognized and credited as provided in GS 143-215.1D (described above). Requires DHHS and the Commission for Public Health to recognize and honor the treatment and discharge capacity authorized for a wastewater treatment facility under a permit issued by the DEQ.

    Makes a subsurface wastewater dispersal system receive effluent with a design daily flow greater than or equal to 25,000 gallons per day proposed to be constructed subject to specified requirements related to department review, compliance review determination, continuing oversight, review of previously issued permits and authorizations, and recognition of capacity.

    Requires the memorandum of agreement between DEQ and DHHS to be executed by October 31, 2026.

    Effective October 31, 2026.

    Section 30.

    Adds new Part 3, “Guaranteed Energy Savings Contracts,” to GS Chapter 143, Article 3B. Provides citations for provisions recodified in new Part 3: GS 143-64.18 (was, GS 143-64.17B), GS 143-64.18D (was, GS 143-64.17D), GS 143-64.18E (was, GS 143-64.17E), GS 143-64.18F (was, GS 143-64.17F), GS 143-64.18J (was, GS 143-64.17G), and GS 143-64.18K (was, GS 143-64.17H).

    As part of new Part 3, enacts GS 143-64.18A requiring a governmental unit to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) before entering a guaranteed energy savings contract. Provides notice requirements for RFQs. Provides minimum content requirements of RFQ.

    Requires the governmental unit to select the qualified provider that best meets the needs of the governmental unit based on an evaluation of: (1) demonstrated competence of the provider; (2) provider’s past performance on energy saving projects; (3) technical feasibility of the proposal; (4) the life cycle cost analysis; (5) certification by a licensed professional engineer that proposed measurement and verification protocol is capable of measuring actual savings; (6) the total project cost with a side-by-side comparison if multiple financing options are available; (7) for state governmental units, inclusion of a contract provision that requires an impartial third-party to conduct the annual measurement and verification review and include the third-party’s compensation in the total cost; and (8) any other criteria stated in the RFQ.

    Requires the governmental unit to evaluate RFQ responses and develop a shortlist of the most highly qualified respondents. Permits the unit to proceed with the evaluation and selection without resoliciation, if only one response is received from a qualified provider and the unit makes a written determination that resoliciation is unlikely to increase competition. For state governmental units, if only one response is received, the State Energy Office must concur with the determination. Requires a qualified reviewer to review the shortlist and provide the unit with a written evaluation. Provides minimum requirements for that evaluation. Then, the unit must rank the shortlisted respondents, select the highest-ranked qualified provider, and negotiate the terms of the contract. If negotiations are unsuccessful, the unit can proceed to the next-ranked provider.

    Requires the qualified provider to: (1) submit, prepare, and make available for public inspection a report that summarizes the estimated costs of installation, maintenance, repairs, and debt service, in addition to estimates of the amounts of energy or operating costs’ reduction, and includes a life-cycle cost analysis and (2) conduct an investment grade audit that includes a life cycle cost analysis of each energy conservation measure in the final proposal, unless the local governmental unit waives the audit requirement, permitted for a contract with a total cost below $250,000. If the audit results are not within 10% (state units) or 15% (local units) of both the guaranteed savings in the proposal and total proposal amount, either the governmental unit or the qualified provider may terminate the project with no additional obligation to the other party. If the governmental unit terminates the project after an audit is conducted and results are within the applicable variance, the unit must reimburse the qualified provider the reasonable cost incurred in conducting the audit, and the results of the audit must become the property of the unit.

    Requires the qualified reviewer to review the qualified provider’s final proposal, cost-benefit analysis, and other relevant documents prior to the governmental unit entering a contract. Details process and requirements for the State Energy Office’s completion of such review for state units. Prohibits a unit from entering a contract until the State Energy Office has determined the proposal complies with Article 3B. Clarifies that nothing in GS 143-64.18A limits governmental unit authority as provided in GS Chapter 143, Article 3D.

    Amends recodified GS 143-64.18B by (1) adding new subsection (c1) requiring a qualified provider to pay a non-refundable administrative fee of $1,000 to the State Energy Office to be applied to the costs of reviewing contracts and administering the program, within 30 days of entering a guaranteed energy savings contract. Prohibits provider from charging or seeking reimbursement of the administrative fee cost from the governmental unit and prohibits provider from including the cost in the total cost of the contract; (2) amending subsection (d), which provides what costs are included in the total cost, by adding capital funding to the list of funds to be subtracted out of the listed costs provided; (3) removes subsection (f) related to the investment grade audit qualified providers must complete.

    Section 31-33.

    Makes conforming changes to GS 115C-47, GS 115D-20, GS 133-4.1, GS 143-129.4, GS 143-135.37, GS 160A-20, GS 143-64.12, GS 142-61, GS 142-63, GS 159-151, GS 143-64.17K, GS 142-63, and GS 143-64.17L.

    Require DEQ adopt rules to implement these provisions.

    Section 34.

    Amends GS 74-49, which defines terms as they are used in Article 7 (The Mining Act of 1971) of GS Chapter 74, by excluding from the definition of mining activities undertaken at any time within the mine permit boundaries for the production and harvesting of timber and timber products and conducted according to standards defined by the Forest Practice Guidelines Related to Water Quality, as adopted by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (specifies that this exemption does not apply to any undisturbed property). 

    Amends GS 74-50 by amending the timing by which requests must be made for public hearings on proposed new or modified mining operations that add land to the permitted area, so that requests must be made within 30 days of the later of the issuance of the notice or receipt of the application (was, within 30 days of issuance of the notice). Provides that if at any time the bond or other security, or any part thereof, lapses for any reason excluding cancellation of the bond by the surety (was any reason other than a release by the Department), and the lapsed bond or security is not replaced by the operator within 30 days after notice of the lapse, the permit to which the lapsed bond or security pertains shall be automatically revoked. Requires that if the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is noticed of pending cancellation of the operator’s bond by the surety and the bond is replaced within 45 days of receiving notice, then the permit to which the bond applies is automatically revoked. Prohibits DEQ from extending or altering public comment periods and time frames for conducting public hearings under Article 7. Specifies that when there is a public hearing under GS 74-51(c) (when significant public interest exists in an application for a new mining permit or for a modification of a mining permit to add land to the permitted area), the 60-day technical review period does not end until the later of 30 days following the hearing or the original 60-day technical review period. 

    Amends GS 74-51 by removing the specified time limitations for deciding on mining permits, leaving the requirement that they be granted or denied as expeditiously as possible. Prohibits refusing to accept an application for, nor refusing to issue, a new, modified, or transferred mining permit only because of the applicant’s failure to obtain another permit, authorization, or certification required for the same project (specifies that such failure does not include denial based on the standards for approval of the permit, authorization, or certification provided by law). Requires DEQ to act on a permit application as quickly as possible. Allows conducting any necessary inquiry or investigation before acting on the application and allows requiring an application to submit additional information. Deems an application approved without modification if DEQ fails to act on an application for a new, modified, or transferred mining permit as required by the statute after the applicant submits all of the information required by DEQ. Requires reviewing an application for completeness within ten working days and then sets out additional deadlines for the start of the technical review period depending on completeness. Requires DEQ to develop an application package checklist. Requires an application to be approved when, during the 60-day technical review period, DEQ determines that the application meets the standards for issuance of a new, modified, or transferred mining permit. Sets out steps that must be taken when, during the 60-day technical review period, DEQ determines that additional information is needed to process the application. Allows a permit to be denied if the applicant failed to pay the application processing fee within 30 days of DEQ receiving the application. Automatically denies a permit if the operator fails to deposit the required bond or security within 60 days after DEQ mails a notice of the required bond to the operator. 

    Applies to permit applications filed on or after October 1, 2026. 

    Section 35.

    Amends proposed GS 130A-295.2 by exempting an owner or operation of a permitted Small or Large Type 1, or 2 compost facility from financial assurance requirements. Effective December 1, 2026.

    Section 36.

    Amends GS 143-215.94BB by amending the definition of offshore waters to refer to the Gulf of America instead of the Gulf of Mexico.

    Section 39.

    Requires EMC to implement the New Stormwater MDC Rule, (15A NCAC 02H .1050, MDC for All Stormwater Control Measures) as follows. Where an applicant requests approval of a new stormwater control technology and associated Minimum Design Criteria, the Division is required to act on that request within 90 days of receipt, including the standards for siting, site preparation, design, construction, maintenance, and research studies. If the Division fails to approve or deny the request within the 90-day period, the request is deemed approved and the standards submitted by the applicant are adopted as the Minimum Design Criteria. Requires the EMC to amend the Rule consistent with this provision.

    Section 40.

    Repeals Section 2 of SL 2026-39 which modified the authority of certain local governments to require stormwater control for redeveloped property.

    Part IV

    Section 41.

    Amends GS 160D-108, concerning development permit choice and vested rights, by adding to the conditions under which the 24-hour discontinuance period that follows the expiration of the vesting for an uncompleted development project that has been discontinued for no less than 24 consecutive months is automatically tolled so that it is tolled during the duration of an emergency declaration for which the defined emergency area includes the property. Makes conforming and organizational changes. 

    Section 45.

    Requires the Building Code Council and the Residential Code Council (Council) and local governments enforcing the North Carolina State Building Code collection, and amendments to the Code, to adhere to the following as it relates to the R402 (provisions and tables within Section 402, Building Thermal Envelope, North Carolina-–Residential Provisions, of the North Carolina Energy Conversation Code) rules within the North Carolina Energy Conservation Code. Provides that when Table R402.1.2, Insulation and Fenestration Requirements by Component, requires wood frame wall R-Values, installing air-impermeable spray foam insulation as cavity insulation, which meets R13 in climate zones 3 and 4, and R-15 insulation in climate zone 5, without installation of additional continuous insulation, will be deemed to satisfy the R-value requirements for the wood frame wall in the appropriate climate zone, so long as the building envelope obtains an ACH50 blower door test result of less than or equal to 3.0. Requires the Council to adopt rules to amend the R402 Rules to be consistent with this provision. 

    Section 46.

    Specifies that there is no requirement that that building thermal envelope meets or exceeds the levels of efficiency and Solar Heat Gain Coefficients in tables R406.2.1 and R406.2.2, which must be deleted from the R406 Rules (as defined). Requires that the minimum standards associated with compliance must be the ANSI RESNET ICC Standard 301-2022. Requires the Building Code Council and the Residential Code Council to adopt rules to amend R406 Rules consistent with this provision.

    Section 47.

    Amends GS 87-21 as follows. Exempts a person who installs or connects a sanitary sewer line serving a manufactured home from the provisions pertaining to plumbers and contractors set forth in Article 2 of GS Chapter 87 if the five listed conditions are met, including, length and diameter requirements of the sewer line and the work remains subject to all required pem1its and inspections, and the sewer line is not covered, backfilled, or otherwise concealed until it has been inspected and approved by the authority having jurisdiction. Exempts a person who installs or connects a water line serving a manufactured home that does not exceed 100 linear feet between an existing water meter and point of connection from the provisions pertaining to plumbers and contractors set forth in Article 2 of GS Chapter 87 if the four listed conditions are met.

    Section 48.

    Amends GS 160D-1110.1 as follows. Amends the at-risk building foundation permit so that it also authorizes an applicant to proceed with any associated trade permit necessary to support the authorized foundation construction. Makes conforming changes.

    Section 49.

    Enacts new GS 160D-402.1 requiring local governments to prominently display their current fee schedules on their website. Requires the website to be updated to reflect any changes to fees, rates, or methods used to develop fees and rates within 30 days of adopting an ordinance that makes the changes. Requires local governments to report annually on fee schedules, fee collections, and compliance with this statute to the Local Government Commission, which must publish and display on its website a statewide report of local governments' current fee schedules. Requires local governments to give the fee schedule and a fee estimate to an applicant before a development approval; requires that the information be provided within 10 days of an application being completed. Also sets the deadline for providing an updated estimate when the project materially changes. Prohibits requiring the fee to be paid before providing an estimate. Requires local governments to give applicants a written, final, binding fee statement when a development approval is issued and prohibits the final fee from exceeding the most recent estimate, unless the local government adopts a new fee schedule by ordinance. Allows applicants to pursue a civil action to compel a local government to comply with this statute. 

    Specifies that this section does not limit or affect the power or authority of a local government to impose fees consistent with its statutory authority or constitutional requirements. Also specifies that this section does not require the disclosure of confidential information. 

    Section 50.

    Amends GS 150B-21.1 to allow an agency to adopt a temporary rule when it finds that adherence to the notice and hearing requirements of GS 150B-21.2 would be contrary to the public interest and that the immediate adoption of the rule is required by the need for the Residential Code Council to adopt rules amending the 2018 and 2024 North Carolina Residential Code, if the temporary rule is adopted on or after the date the Residential Code Council becomes fully constituted in accordance with the membership requirements of GS 143-136.1. Expires two years after the Residential Code Council becomes fully constituted.

    Section 52.

    Amends GS 62-110 so that the conditions that apply to billing for water and sewer service for leased premises that are contiguous dwelling units built before 1989 also apply to a mobile home located within a mobile home park sited before 1989. Amends those conditions by no longer prohibiting a lessor from using a ratio utility billing system or other allocation billing system that does not rely on individually submetered hot water usage to determine the allocation of water and sewer costs.


  • Summary date: Jun 3 2026 - View Summary

    House amendment to the 4th edition makes the following changes.

    Removes the proposed changes to GS 115C-76.65 (parental rights to opt-in to protected information surveys).

    Amends proposed GS 115C-174.23(c) by no longer allowing parents to opt out of a survey included as part of the administration of the nationally norm-referenced college admissions test, and instead only allows students who have parental consent to complete the surveys.

    Amends the proposed changes to GS 115C-546.10 by modifying the priorities for awarding grants to counties from the Needs-Based Pubic School Capital Fund so that it funds projects for a local school administrative unit that has not received grant funds under the governing Article of GS Chapter 115C (was, grant funds under the Article four a county) in the previous three years.

    Amends the changes to GS 160D-108.1 as follows. Removes the addition of the requirement that development conducted under a site-specific vesting plan must comply with any building, fire, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes applicable to the development and in effect at the time the plan was approved. Provides that an established vested right precludes any development regulation (was, land development regulation) by a local government which would change, alter, impair, prevent, diminish or otherwise delay the development or use of the property except under the specified conditions. Expands upon those conditions to also include: (1) due to site conditions resulting from a natural disaster in an area with a declared disaster, the local government determines that under current site conditions the site no longer meets applicable safety, environmental, or engineering standards, or that preclusion of the development regulation would present a material risk to life, health, or property, or (2) upon adoption of a floodplain ordinance adopted to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program. Reinstitute the deleted (f)(2) and amends it to provide that the establishment of a vested right under the statute precludes (was, does not preclude) the application of overlay zoning or other development regulations imposing additional requirements but that do not affect the allowable type or intensity of use, or ordinances or regulations that are general in nature and apply to all property subject to development regulation by a local government. Makes additional clarifying changes.

    Amends proposed new GS 160D-703.1 to require local government zoning regulations to allow for the specified uses as a use of right on property undergoing redevelopment in all areas zoned for nonagricultural commercial, business, or light industrial (was, industrial) use; also adds an exception for properties that are on or adjacent to sites with known contamination that have not been remediated.

    Amends GS 160D-617 to prohibit a local government, when permitting accessory dwelling units, from setting a maximum accessory dwelling unit size of less than 800 square feet or greater than 1000 square feet (was, maximum accessory dwelling unit size of less than 800 square feet).


  • Summary date: Jun 2 2026 - View Summary

    House committee substitute to the 3rd edition makes the following changes. 

    Removes Section 2 that would have amended SL 2025-74 by extending the deadline for the North Carolina Collaboratory’s study on the statutory process for approving surface water transfers so that the report was due to the 2028 General Assembly (was, 2027), by January 15, 2028. Removes section titled Section 3 that would have extended the moratorium on issuing certificates allowing a significant new surface water transfer or a significant increase in an existing surface water transfer so that it ended August 1, 2028, instead of March 1, 2027.

    Section 5.

    Removes address information requirement from the marking requirements for supply tank or containers with a total capacity of greater than five gallons under GS 119-58. Allows persons other than the supplier or owner of a system to fill or refill a properly inspected system (was, inspected and certified system) in a qualified emergency. Requires that the emergency supplier make a good faith effort to contact the current supplier and obtain consent before attempting to do so.

    Section 10.

    Requires, in GS 160D-108.1 (vested rights – site specific vesting plans) that development conducted pursuant to a site-specific vesting plan comply with any building, fire, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes applicable to the development and in effect at the time the plan was approved.

    Makes technical change to the title of Section 12.

    Section 13.

    Now recodifies the provisions creating a residential right of use in commercial districts in GS 160D-703(a1) to new GS 160D-703.1, rewritten as follows. Applies only to cities with a population of 50,000 or greater that are located in counties with a population of 275,000 or greater. Defines redevelopment as the demolition and reconstruction of, or rehabilitation and improvement of, an existing structure or structures on a parcel, or the clearing and new construction on a parcel that contains or previously contained an impervious surface, building, or other structure associated with a prior use. It does not include the construction of a new primary structure on a vacant parcel that has never been developed. Requires a local government zoning regulation to allow the three following things as a use by right on property undergoing redevelopment in the areas zoned for nonagricultural commercial, business, of industrial use: (1) the siting of buildings and structures subject to the NC Residential Code (RC); (2) the siting of multifamily housing structures with more than four residential dwelling units; and (3) buildings and structures containing both residential dwelling units and nonresidential uses, provided that only the residential component of any such building or structure is a use by right, regardless of whether the nonresidential component requires a permit, special use authorization, or other approval. Prevents a zoning regulation from establishing a maximum building height of less than 60 feet.

    Section 14.

    Makes technical change to reference to RC in GS 160D-917 (accessory dwelling units). Limits the applicability of the statute to cities with a population of 50,000 or greater. After an accessory dwelling unit has been permitted for construction on a parcel, specifies that the parcel may not be further subdivided such that the accessory dwelling unit would be located on a different parcel than the primary single-family detached dwelling. Makes conforming change to definition of accessory dwelling unit.

    Section 18.

    Expands the certification authorities who can certify any of the firearms safety and training course under GS 14-415.12 to include US LawShield.

    Adds the following new content.

    Section 9.5.

    Modifies the priorities for awarding grants to counties from the Needs-Based Pubic School Capital Fund in GS 115C-546.10 so that it funds projects for a local school administrative unit that has not received grant funds under the governing Article of GS Chapter 115C in the previous three years. Removes priority for counties that have not received a grant under the article in the previous three years.

    Section 10.5.

    Expands the scope of GS 160D-1106, which requires local governments to accept and approve, without further responsibility to inspect, a design or other proposal for the matters listed to also include home power installations. Defines home power installation (an electric generating or energy storage system, standby system, or associated equipment, connected at 600 volts or less, intended to provide electrical power to a building or structure subject to the North Carolina Residential Code that requires a building permit or other approval) and responsible code council. Clarifies that the inspection certification contains information pertaining to field inspection (was, just inspections) and a description of the component, element, or home power installation covered by the certification. Makes conforming changes and technical changes. Allows inspections under GS 143-143.2 (electric wiring of houses, buildings, and structures) that have to conform to the NC State Building Code (BC) to allow an inspection made of the wiring of a home power installation to be conducted in accordance with GS 110D-1106. Effective July 1, 2027.

    Directs the Residential Code Council (RCC) to develop a home power installation work certification and make it available on the Office of the State Fire Marshal's website by July 1, 2027. Authorizes the RCC to adopt or amend rules to implement the section to become effective on July 1, 2027.

    Section 17.5.

    Reduces the continuing education hour requirement for used motor vehicle dealers from one six-hour course to one four-hour course in GS 20-288.

    Section 21.

    Applicable to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2026, increases the following fines for reckless littering under GS 14-399 as follows:

    • When the amount does not exceed ten pounds and is not for commercial purposes from fines ranging $500 to $1,000 to fines ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 and for second offenses, from fines ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 to fines ranging from $3,000 to $5,000.
    • When amount is higher than 10 pounds but less than 500 pounds from fines ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 to fines ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
    • When the amount exceeds 500 pounds or in any quantity for commercial purposes from a fine of $5,000 to a fine ranging from $10,000 to $15,000.

    Section 22.

    Adds the following finding to the telephone solicitations provisions of GS Chapter 75 in GS 75-100: a telephone number is the property of a telephone subscriber, subject to the terms and conditions of the subscriber's contract with a telephone carrier. Defines telephone solicitation in GS 75-101 to include legal agents of the individual business or other legal entity that meets the definition. Prevents, in GS 75-102(i), telephone solicitors from using any other alteration to the origin of the telephone solicitation that displays in a way to give the perception that the call originated from any other origin except the actual origin of the telephone solicitation. Makes a conforming change. Adds new GS 75-104.1, that prevents a telephone carrier from knowingly and intentionally acting to transmit, sell, or otherwise provide the numbers of telephone subscribers to any entity the telephone carrier knows: (1) will use the number to violate provisions of this Article, (2) has previously used telephone subscriber information to violate provisions of this Article, or (3) has previously provided the information to another entity that has violated provisions of this Article. Clarifies that telephone carriers are not to be held liable for a telemarketer’s violation of GS 75-102(i). Allows for a telephone subscriber who has received a phone call in knowing violation of GS 75-102(i) to bring an action to recover $10,000 for each call placed under GS 75-105. Applies to phone calls made on or after December 1, 2026.

    Makes conforming organizational changes.


  • Summary date: May 20 2026 - View Summary

    House committee substitute to the 2nd edition removes the content of the previous edition and replaces it with the following. Makes conforming changes to the act’s titles.

    Part I.

    Section 1

    Repeals GS 113-170.3(d) (which required reporting the recreation harvest of Red Drum, Flounder, Spotted Seatrout, Striped Bass, and Weakfish), (e) (which required a commercial fishing license engaged in a commercial fishing operation who harvests any fish in coastal or joint fishing waters to report that harvest), (f) (which set out punishments for violations of these reporting requirements), and (g) (which required the Department of Environmental Quality and the Wildlife Resources Commission to report on the implementation and response to the fishery reporting requirements). Changes the catchline of GS 113-170.3 by removing reference to mandatory reporting for certain fisheries.

    Section 2

    Amend SL 2025-74 by extending the deadline for the North Carolina Collaboratory’s study on the statutory process for approving surface water transfers so that the report is now due to the 2028 General Assembly (was, 2027), by January 15, 2028. Also extends the moratorium on issuing certificates allowing a significant new surface water transfer or a significant increase in an existing surface water transfer so that it ends August 1, 2028, instead of March 1, 2027. Makes a clarifying change.

    Section 3

    Amends GS 103-6 to change Arbor Week from the week containing March 15 to the week containing November 15.

    Section 4

    Amends GS 14-151(a)(4), which makes it illegal to willfully, with intent to injure or defraud, to turn on or off, make any connection or reconnections, or enlarge the orifice of mixers, or to interfere with the valves, stopcocks, wires, or other appliances of gas, electric, and water without permission, by adding that water pipes means water pipes, fire hydrants, flushing assemblies, blow-offs, sampling stations, and all other appurtenances connected to a water distribution system, whether above or below ground. Also amends (e) to make a person found in a civil action to have violated (a)(4) by the connection or reconnection with any water pipe to be liable to the water supplier an amount that is the greater of triple the amount of loss and damages or $10,000, plus attorneys’ fees. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2026.

    Section 5

    Amend GS 119-58 by limiting the application of the requirements for identifying liquified petroleum gas supply tanks or containers to those that have a total capacity greater than five gallons. Expands upon the identifying information that must be provided to also include the address and contact information of the person supplying liquified petroleum gas to the system, as well as the name of the tank or container owner. Expands upon the actions that must be taken by a new supplier requested by a consumer to also include performing a leak test. Allows a person other than the supplier or the owner of the system to fill or refill a properly inspected and certified system with liquefied petroleum gas when a qualifying emergency is in effect if the six listed condition are met, including: (1) the consumer demonstrates that they have less than a 20% supply reaming for use as the primary energy for eating or cooking; (2) the consumer makes a good faith effort to procure delivery of liquefied petroleum gas from the current supplier or owner; (3) the current supplier or owner is unable to make a scheduled fill or refill within three business days of the good faith procurement effort; and (4) the emergency supplier provides no more than 20% of the capacity of the tank or container in liquified petroleum gas as part of the emergency refill. Makes conforming changes.

    Amends GS 119-54 by defining emergency supplier as a Class A dealer that provides liquified petroleum gas to a consumer during a qualified emergency. Defines a qualified emergency as: (1) a state of emergency as declared by the Governor, NCGA, or governing body of a municipality or county, (2) a state of emergency declared by the President, (3) when severe weather or similar circumstances exist that may result in a person being place in imminent danger of death or injury due to lack of heat caused by a lack of liquified petroleum gas, or (4) when a wavier from deliver limitation affecting the delivery of liquified petroleum gas has been lawfully ordered.

    Amends GS 119-59 to make violations of GS 119-58(b) concerning labeling requirements, prohibiting a person other than the supplier or system owner from disconnecting, interrupting or filling the system without the supplier’s consent, and requiring new suppliers who are requested by the consumer to take specified actions, a Class A1 misdemeanor (was, Class 1 misdemeanor). Also allows accessing a civil penalty for these violations of up to $1,000 for a first violation, up to $2,000 for a second violation, and up to $3,000 for a third or subsequent violation.

    Amends GS 119-60 to exempt a person acting as an emergency supplier from liability for any civil damages resulting from any act of commission or omission on his part in the course of rendering assistance unless the acts or omissions amount to willful or wanton negligence or intentional wrongdoing.

    Requires that the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) only issue warnings for the failure of a supplier under GS 119-58(b) to either attach a tag, label, or other marking to a tank or container that includes the address and contact information for the person supplying the gas to the system and that identifies whether it is owned by the supplier, or to conduct a leak test. Expires December 1, 2027.

    Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2026.

    Section 6

    Amends GS 143-215.94V by adding that for noncommercial petroleum underground storage tanks where the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) has received to the information necessary to determine the degree of risk to human health and the environment that is posed by a discharge or release from a petroleum underground storage and to identify the most cost‑effective cleanup that addresses imminent threats to human health and the environment, the EMC, must within five years of receiving that information, (1) determine the level of risk of the discharge, and cleanup or other measures to be required, and (2) notify the owner, operator, or landowner of that determination. Provides that in order for a discharge to be determined to be low-risk from a noncommercial tan, if the EMC does not notify the owner, operator, or landowner in the required time, then the EMC is prohibited from requiring cleanup, further cleanup, or further action unless the EMC later determines that the release or discharge poses an unacceptable level of risk or a potentially unacceptable level of risk to human health or environment, in which case the EMC must produce written findings of fact.

    Applies to discharges occurring before, on, or after the date that act becomes law as follows: (1) for discharges from noncommercial tanks occurring five or more years prior to the effective date of this act for which the EMC has not previously notified an owner, operator, or landowner of its determination as to the level of risk of the discharge, and actions required in response to the discharge, the EMC has one year from the effective date of this act to notify the owner, operator, or landowner accordingly; and (2) for all other discharges occurring before the effective date of this act for which the EMC has not previously notified an owner, operator, or landowner of its determination as to the level of risk of the discharge, and actions required in response to the discharge, the EMC has five years from the effective date of this act to notify the owner, operator, or landowner accordingly.

    Part II.

    Section 7

    Moves GS 115C-174.22 from Part 4 of Article 10A of GS Chapter 115C into Part 5. Also amends Part 5 by adding new GS 115C-174.23 which requires the State Board of Education (State Board), to the extent funds are made available, to use a competitive bid process to adopt one nationally norm-reference college admissions text and to make the test available to public school units to administer to all students in the 11th grade unless the student has completed a comparable test and scored at or above the set level. Requires administering an alternate to the nationally norm-referenced college admissions test or an alterative precursor test to the nationally norm-referenced college admissions test to a student who meets the specified criteria concerning specified delays and course of study that may not lead to college admission. Allows students to complete any surveys included as part of administering the test; requires giving notice of the collecting of information in the surveys to parents and allows parents to opt their student out of a survey. Requires the State Board to ensure that parents have the necessary information to make informed decisions on the test, precursor test, and any associated surveys. Requires the State Board to include alternate assessment and nationally norm-referenced college admissions test assessment results for students with disabilities in public school unit accountability reports. Makes conforming and organizational changes to GS 115C-76.65, conforming changes to GS 115C-174.11 (which previously required the State Board to use a competitive bid process to adopt one nationally norm-referenced college admissions test), and GS 115C-174.22.

    Repeals Part 4 of Article 10A of GS Chapter 115C, Student Diagnostic Tests, which previously consisted of only GS 115C-174.22, which is now in Part 5.

    Applies to administrations of the nationally norm-referenced college admissions test under GS 115C-174.23, beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

    Section 8

    Amends GS 115C-595 to allow using scholarship funds from the State Education Assistance Authority (Authority) that have been deposited into a personal education student account for a student with disabilities enrolled in a Part 1 (Private Church Schools and Schools of Religious Charter) or 2 (Qualified Nonpublic Schools) nonpublic school to be used for education-related support services provided by a one-to-one classroom aide (as now defined in GS 115C-591). Sets out documentation requirements and prohibits the one-to-one classroom aide from providing services to other students during the instructional day. The funds cannot be used for services provided by a one-to-one aid who is a parent, guardian, legal custodian, sibling, or grandparent of the student, or who is an employee or independent contractor of the school where the student is enrolled. Applies beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

    Section 9

    Repeals: (1) Section 7(b) of SL 2017-189, which required that any rules required by the act, which concerned the Educator Preparation Program, be adopted by February 1, 2018; (2) Section 7(f) of SL 2017-189, which prohibited the State Board from assigning an accountability status to any EPP during the specified past school years, only allowed assigning the accountability statuses of "warned" and "probation" during the specified past school years, and allowed assigning the accountability status of "revoked" beginning with the 2023-2024 school year; and (3) Section 4 of SL 2019-149, which required the State Board to adopt the rule required by GS 115C-269.45(c1), and make the required report by October 1, 2019, and required the State Board to apply the rule beginning with data collected from the 2018-2019 academic year for the purposes of the annual report.

    Requires the State Board, by October 15, 2026, in consultation with the specified entities, to report to the specified NCGA committee on recommendations for an educator preparation program accountability model.

    Part III.

    Section 10

    Amend GS 160-108.1 to provide that a vested right for a site-specific vesting plan remains vested for five (was, two) years. Allows a local government to provide for rights to be vested for a period exceeding five years (was, two years) but not exceeding eight (was, five) years when warranted in light of all relevant circumstances. Provides that a vested right precludes any land development regulation (was, any zoning action) by a local government that would change, alter, impair, prevent, diminish, or otherwise delay the development or use of the property as set forth in the approved site-specific vesting plan, except in the listed circumstances. Makes conforming changes.

    Section 11

    Amends GS 136-93 by amending the requirements for a bond for driveway and road encroachment projects to allow a performance guarantee instead of a bond. Specifies that the form of the performance guarantee may consist of a bond, irrevocable letter of credit, parent guaranty, or other instrument that provides equivalent security to a surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit at the election of the applicant.

    Section 12

    Amends GS 160D-602, applicable to Winston-Salem only, to allow its governing board to delegate or assign, by ordinance, the authority for the rezoning of property to a designated planning board. Requires providing a right of appeal end review before the governing board.

    Section 13

    Amends GS 160D-703 by adding the requirement that a local government zoning regulation allow siting buildings and structures subject to the NC Residential Code and multifamily housing with more than four dwelling units, in areas zoned for non-agricultural commercial, business, or industrial use. Requires a maximum height restriction of no less than 60 feet.

    Section 14

    Enacts new GS 160D-917 requiring local governments to allow at least one accessory dwelling that conforms to the North Carolina Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings for each single-family detached dwelling in areas zoned for residential use that allow for development of single-family detached dwellings. Defines accessory dwelling unit as an attached or detached residential structure that is used in connection with, or that is an accessory to, a primary single-family detached dwelling and that has less total square footage than the primary single-family detached dwelling. Allows the accessory dwelling unit to be built or sited concurrently or after the primary detached dwelling has been constructed or sited. Prohibits a local government from taking six specified actions when permitting accessory dwelling units, including requiring placement in a conditional zoning district, establishing minimum parking requirements or parking restrictions, or setting a maximum unit size of less than 800 square feet. Sets out what a local government can do concerning setbacks, and unit location requirements and size. Specifies that the statute does not apply to: (1) the validity or enforceability of private covenants or other contractual agreements among property owners related to dwelling type restrictions; (2) properties located in a historic preservation district established pursuant to Part 4 of this Article; (3) properties designated as a National Historic Landmark by the US Department of Interior; or (4) an accessory dwelling unit that is not connected to water, well and septic, and sewer. Applies to applications for accessory dwelling unit permits submitted on or after October 1, 2026.

    Specifies that a local government that has enacted an ordinance meeting the requirements of this section and GS 160D-917, is not required to adopt a new ordinance.

    Requires local governments to adopt development regulations to implement the provisions in this section by July 1, 2027; if they fail to do so, accessory dwelling units will be allowed in that local government without any limitations.

    Section 15

    Amends GS 150B-34 to require in contested cases before an administrative law judge that the judge apply traditional de novo review to the interpretation of State rules and regulations. Allows the judge to be informed by (was, must give due regard to) the demonstrated knowledge and expertise of the agency with respect to acts and inferences within the specialized knowledge of the agency.

    Amends GS 150B-51 by adding that a court conducts its review of a final decision in a contested case may be informed by the agency’s interpretation of its own rules or regulations but must apply traditional de novo review to the interpretation of State rules and regulations.

    Section 16

    Makes it illegal for a local government to withhold a license, permit, zoning approval, financial incentives, or any other type of assistance from an employer for its refusal to negotiate or sign an agreement with a labor organization except as required by law.

    Section 17

    Amends GS 160D-912.1, which concerns on-premises advertising, by adding that the statute does not apply to an ordinance regulating on-premises advertising signs that was lawfully adopted by a local government and: (1) included an amortization period of 10 or more years during which nonconforming signs were allowed to remain in place before it was required to be removed or brought into compliance, and (2) the date of compliance under the amortization period expired on or before July 1, 2024.

    Part IV.

    Section 18

    Amends GS 14-415.12 to include courses certified or sponsored by the North Carlina Concealed Carry Association among those that meet the requirements for the firearms safety and training course for the issuance of a concealed handgun permit. Makes conforming changes. Applies to permit applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026.

    Section 19

    Amends GS 15A-298 as follows. Under current law, the Director of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) or their designee may issue an administrative subpoena to a communications common carrier or an electronic communications service provider to compel the production of business records if the records: (1) disclose information concerning local or long distance tool records or subscriber information and (2) are material to an active criminal investigation. Amends the statute to no longer limit the subpoena to when the records disclose information concerning local or long distance toll records or subscriber information. Allows using the subpoena to compel production of business records or other information pertaining to a subscriber or customer of such service, exclusive of the contents of the communications when they are material to an active criminal investigation. Sets out information that must be disclosed to the SBI in response to the subpoena. Authorizes the SBI to disseminate any information it acquires under the subpoena to any federal, State, tribal, or local law enforcement agency in furtherance of a criminal investigation. Prohibits the carrier or service provider from notifying subscribers or customers of the subpoena.

    Section 20

    Allows municipalities and cities to contract with third-parties for conducting criminal history record checks under GS 153A-94.2 and GS 160A-164.2. Such contracts must terminate on or before the later of December 1, 2026, or when the SBI require for proposal is awarded. Requires the third-party vendors to comply with any restrictions or requirements set by law governing fingerprints and other information collected by the SBI for a criminal record check.

    Part V.

    Section 21

    Includes a severability clause.


  • Summary date: Apr 17 2025 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following provisions.

    Removes provisions from GS 131E-84 (waiver of rules and increase in bed capacity during an emergency under the Hospital Licensure Act), that would have struck language from the statute referring to compliance with temporary rule waivers by the named federal agencies as one the grounds authorizing the Division of Health Service Regulation (Division) to temporarily waive the described rules or increase hospital bed capacity. Clarifies, in GS 131E-84(a2), that only those portions of the corresponding rule adopted by the NC Medical Care Commission (Commission) pertaining to hospitals is automatically waived if the federal counterpart is temporarily waived (was, all rules automatically waived). Removes language requiring any further modifications or waivers by the Division, while a temporary waiver or modification is in place, to reduce regulatory requirements on hospitals be in a manner consistent with federal law. 


  • Summary date: Mar 24 2025 - View Summary

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