HB 756 appropriates $100,000 in one-time state funds to the Harmony Empowerment Life Center, a nonprofit organization, to expand its "Never Limit An Athlete's Mind" program. The program directly supports minorities and their families in Wake, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Union, and Anson counties by improving mental health resources and preparing them for future opportunities. The bill provides a directed grant through the Office of State Budget and Management for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This funding enables the nonprofit to extend its existing services to additional counties without creating new statewide policies.
HB 757 appropriates $31,000 from North Carolina's General Fund to Joyful Soul Treasures, Inc., a nonprofit organization, for its "Safe Haven for Safe Sex" project. The grant specifically supports sexual health education and awareness programs targeting adolescents aged 13-18, focusing on providing essential knowledge and reducing stigma. This funding directly enables the nonprofit to implement this youth-focused initiative. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.
SB 145 proposes authorizing Mecklenburg County to levy an additional 0.5% sales tax for transportation funding, subject to voter approval. The bill requires that these funds supplement, not replace, existing transportation budgets and must be used exclusively for financing, building, operating, and maintaining public transportation systems within the county. It specifies that tax revenue must be distributed to Mecklenburg County and its public transportation authorities on a per capita basis, with strict rules against using funds for non-transportation purposes. The measure is currently pending in committee and would require a county referendum before implementation.
SB 63 establishes a nine-member Board of Motor Vehicles to oversee North Carolina's Division of Motor Vehicles, replacing the current structure where the Commissioner is appointed by the Transportation Secretary. The Board will appoint the Motor Vehicles Commissioner and include members from the Transportation Secretary, Information Technology Secretary, Highway Patrol, and appointments by the Governor and General Assembly. The bill also mandates a study by the Department of Transportation to evaluate creating a separate Motor Vehicle Authority (replacing the current Division), including feasibility, required legal changes, a timeline, and implementation steps. The study must be completed and reported to the General Assembly by January 1, 2026, but does not create the Authority itself.
SB 728 requires permits for utility-scale battery storage systems (1+ megawatt capacity) in North Carolina, affecting companies building or operating these facilities. The bill mandates that owners submit emergency response plans, decommissioning plans, and proof of financial responsibility to the Department of Environmental Quality before installation. It requires systems to be properly decommissioned within one year of shutdown, including recycling components like batteries and cables, restoring the site to pre-installation conditions, and covering all associated costs. Owners must also coordinate with local emergency officials and detail disposal methods for hazardous waste under the plan.
SB 505 clarifies definitions and creates procedures for addressing abandoned or derelict vessels in North Carolina waters and on public/private land. It defines "abandoned vessels" as those left unattended for 30+ days without permission or intent to reclaim, and "derelict vessels" as those in disrepair posing safety or environmental risks. The bill gives the Commission authority to remove such vessels after posting notices, with owners having 10 days to respond before removal. It also sets time limits (30 days on land, 10 days in water) for vessel anchoring without permission and exempts historic shipwrecks under state custody. This directly affects boat owners, property owners, and state agencies responsible for waterway safety.
SB 584 authorizes counties to use specific sales tax revenue to fund local public transportation systems - including buses, light rail, bike lanes, and transit facilities - while requiring these funds to supplement (not replace) existing transportation budgets. It defines "public transportation system" broadly to include infrastructure like bus lanes, shared-ride services, and integrated fare systems. The bill also creates a new metropolitan public transportation authority for counties with over 1 million residents that border another state and operate light rail systems, giving them regional planning powers under specific rules. This authority would manage funding and coordination for transportation projects within its jurisdiction.
HB 764 creates new criminal offenses for causing death or serious injury through reckless boating in North Carolina. It defines "Death by Reckless Boating" and "Serious Injury by Reckless Boating" as unintentionally harming others while operating a vessel recklessly (but not impaired), with "Aggravated" versions applying to those with prior reckless boating convictions within seven years. Penalties range from a Class A1 misdemeanor for basic death cases to a Class F felony for aggravated death incidents. The bill also prevents double prosecution for the same incident under both this law and manslaughter statutes. This directly affects boat operators whose reckless actions cause harm, establishing specific legal consequences for those offenses.
HB 784 prohibits the manufacture, transfer, and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons (like AR-15s) and large-capacity ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds in North Carolina, effective December 1, 2025. The bill defines specific firearms and features (e.g., folding stocks, pistol grips) that classify weapons as "assault weapons," while setting a 10-round limit for magazines. Exceptions include existing owners of such weapons before the law’s effective date, law enforcement, antique firearms, and weapons that cannot accept large magazines. Violations are punishable as a Class E felony.
HB 783 appropriates $100,000 from North Carolina's General Fund for Sidekicks Academy, Inc. to support its Durham Public Schools program. The funds will cover $90,000 for student training gear, safety equipment, tournaments, and staff salaries, plus $10,000 for field trips to Taekwondo tournaments, museums, and college events. The program directly serves marginalized students by combining martial arts training, character development, and community support to create a safe learning environment. This is a funding measure with no policy changes, solely providing financial support to an existing community program.
HB 786, the "Working Families Act," reduces child care costs for low-income families by lowering parent copayments from 10% to 7% of income (effective 2025), reinstates a refundable state child tax credit with income-based payments (effective 2025), and phases up North Carolina’s minimum wage to $15/hour by 2030 with annual inflation adjustments. It also increases income limits for property tax relief, creates a homebuyers’ assistance program for public servants (like firefighters and EMTs) as first-time buyers, and establishes a paid family leave insurance program funded through an employer grant program. The bill directly affects working families, hourly workers, public-sector employees, and households using subsidized child care or property tax relief. Key mechanisms include phased wage increases, income-tiered tax credits, and targeted housing support, all designed to reduce financial strain on low-to-moderate-income households.
HB 760 requires tattoo artists in North Carolina to complete annual bloodborne pathogen training compliant with OSHA standards (29 C.F.R. § 1910.1030) to obtain or renew their state tattooing permits. This applies directly to all tattoo artists seeking permits from the Department of Health and Human Services, excluding licensed physicians and their supervised staff who perform tattooing as part of medical practice. The bill mandates that permit applications (both new and renewal) must include proof of this training, which the Department will verify before issuing or renewing permits. The requirement becomes effective October 1, 2025, for all permit applications received on or after that date.
