HB 736 allows North Carolina pharmacists to perform simple tests (like for flu, COVID-19, or strep throat) and provide treatment for those conditions using approved medications, within specific guidelines. It requires health insurance plans to cover these pharmacist-provided services if they would cover the same service from a doctor or nurse, and ensures pharmacists aren't excluded from provider networks solely because they are pharmacists. Pharmacists cannot treat conditions with controlled substances (Schedules I-IV) and must follow statewide protocols for patient referrals. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, expanding pharmacist roles to improve access to basic care.
HB 742, the "North Carolina Healthy Schools Act of 2025," requires all public schools to adopt green cleaning policies using environmentally sensitive cleaning products when cost-effective. Public school units (including charter, regional, and local districts) must follow guidelines established by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), which will create annual standards for eco-friendly products and distribute them to schools. Schools unable to adopt the policy due to increased costs must provide annual written notifications to DPI instead. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year, with nonpublic schools having 50+ students encouraged - but not required - to follow similar practices.
HB 735 amends North Carolina's transportation funding rules to clarify state support for rail projects. It sets a 10% cap on state funds for commuter and light rail projects - limiting spending to either 10% of a regional funding allocation or 10% of the project's estimated cost. The bill also creates a new eligibility category for public transit services spanning four or more counties and serving over three municipalities. Additionally, it specifies that the state will not cover costs exceeding these funding limits, requiring project agreements to include these restrictions. The changes apply directly to regional transit authorities and developers seeking state funding for rail infrastructure.
This bill provides $5 million in state funds to the City of Greensboro for planning water and wastewater infrastructure improvements at Piedmont Triad International Airport. The grant, administered through the Department of Environmental Quality, will cover preliminary work to extend services to economic development sites at the airport. It directly supports Greensboro's efforts to expand infrastructure needed for new business growth in that area. The funds are designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and take effect July 1, 2025.
HB 751 requires large electric utilities (serving at least 150,000 North Carolina customers by 2025) that already offer seasonal or intermittent energy rates in part of their service area to file a rate case by September 2025. This would extend those same seasonal rates to all eligible customers statewide, rather than offering different rates in different regions. The bill applies specifically to utilities with existing seasonal rate schedules, mandating a uniform statewide approach for those services. It does not change the rates themselves, only requires the utility to expand an existing rate structure to all customers it serves.
HB 355 directs North Carolina's Legislative Research Commission (LRC) to study challenges facing rural fire departments, focusing on volunteer recruitment, funding, equipment needs, interdepartmental cooperation, firefighter well-being, and public education. The LRC must examine specific issues like financial incentives for volunteers, equitable resource distribution, mutual aid agreements, and community fire safety programs. It requires regional public hearings and a 90-day comment period before submitting interim and final reports to the 2025 and 2027 General Assemblies. This bill does not change current law but sets up a review process to inform future legislative action.
HB 723 establishes the North Carolina Technology Coalitions Strategic Support Fund, allocating $10.5 million to support regional technology coalitions focused on sectors like AI, semiconductors, and cybersecurity. The fund provides grants to eligible organizations (including nonprofits, local governments, and academic institutions) operating within North Carolina to strengthen regional economic growth through coalition collaboration. Key provisions include funding for workforce training, market analysis, and matching funds to leverage private or federal investment, while requiring grantees to maintain operations in-state and avoid duplicate funding. The fund becomes effective July 1, 2025, with administration managed by the Department of Commerce’s Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
This Senate Simple Resolution (SR 260) formally asks the North Carolina Senate to consider confirming Dr. Devdutta Sangvai for appointment as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It follows state law requiring Senate confirmation for the Governor's appointment of a department head. The resolution triggers the Senate's formal review process for this specific nomination, which is pending under North Carolina's constitutional requirements. The bill itself does not change policy or create new rules - it solely addresses the procedural step of confirming a gubernatorial appointment.
This Senate Resolution (SR 224) seeks confirmation of Gabriel J. Esparza as Secretary of the Department of Administration, following Governor's appointment. It directs the North Carolina Senate to formally consider and vote on his appointment, as required by state law (G.S. 143B-9(a) and Constitution Article III, Section 5(8)). The resolution does not create new policy but follows standard procedure for confirming executive appointments. It directly affects the Senate (as the body required to provide consent) and Gabriel Esparza (as the appointee seeking confirmation).
HB 710 establishes a three-year pilot program to fund mental health crisis units in North Carolina public schools. It allocates $2 million total (up to $250,000 annually per district) to select up to eight school districts starting in 2025-2026, prioritizing those with high student mental health needs or trauma history. Each participating district must staff units with at least a school nurse, social worker, and licensed counselor to provide crisis intervention during school hours and rotate across schools. The program requires annual reports on participating districts and student mental health impacts, ending June 30, 2028.
HB 722 requires North Carolina courts to first assess a defendant's ability to pay before imposing criminal court costs and fees. It modifies rules for collecting specific costs like failure-to-appear fees ($200), crime lab services ($600 max), and digital forensics fees, requiring judges to determine affordability before assessment. The bill also mandates that courts provide 15 days' notice to government entities (like crime labs or prosecutors) before waiving or reducing fees, ensuring affected parties can object. This directly affects defendants convicted in criminal cases and government entities that collect or rely on these fees.
HB 141, the Joe John Remembrance Act, removes an additional fee for special license plates designated for fire department and rescue squad members in North Carolina. The bill amends state law to formally eliminate the "additional fee" listed for these plates (which was already set to $0 in the current fee schedule), meaning eligible firefighters and rescue personnel will pay only the standard registration fee when obtaining or renewing these special plates. This change applies to plates issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025. The bill does not create new benefits but codifies an existing fee structure for these specific special plates.
