House Bill 105 (HB 105) changes the election process for the Gaston County Board of Education. This bill shifts the elections from a non-partisan basis to a partisan basis, requiring candidates to run with a declared political party affiliation. Board members will be nominated and elected during general elections in even-numbered years, following the same procedures as other county officers. The bill also updates residency requirements for district seats and revises the process for filling vacancies on the board. These changes will not affect the terms of members elected in 2022 or 2024, with some vacancy provisions taking effect in December 2026.
HB 136 changes the municipal election process for the Town of Faith. It shifts regular elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years, aligning them with general elections. The bill also extends the terms of office for members of the Board of Aldermen from two years to four years. Consequently, no municipal elections will be held in the Town of Faith in 2025, and the terms of current aldermen will be extended by one year. Beginning in 2026, five aldermen will be elected every four years to serve four-year terms.
House Bill 32 revises the schedule for regular municipal elections in the Town of China Grove, shifting them from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. This change directly impacts the town's residents and elected officials, including the Mayor and Aldermen. To facilitate this transition, the terms of current Aldermen and the Mayor will be extended by one year, resulting in no municipal elections being held in 2025. The new even-year election cycle will commence in 2026 and continue biennially thereafter, maintaining staggered terms for Aldermen.
HB 271 alters how municipal elections are conducted in several towns and cities in Cabarrus County. The bill changes regular municipal elections in the City of Concord, Town of Harrisburg, City of Kannapolis, Town of Midland, and Town of Mount Pleasant from a nonpartisan to a partisan basis. For the City of Concord, it also specifies that only voters residing in a particular district can vote for that district's City Council member, rather than the entire city voting for all members. These changes will apply to elections held in 2025 and thereafter.
HB 698 transfers the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons from the Department of Public Safety to the State Highway Patrol. This bill consolidates all the Center's existing functions, powers, and duties under the direction of the State Highway Patrol. The Commander of the State Highway Patrol will now oversee the Center's operations, including its role as a central repository for missing persons information and the AMBER Alert System. This change primarily affects the administrative structure responsible for managing missing persons cases and related alerts at the state level.
House Bill 859 proposes to prohibit counties and cities in North Carolina from establishing or enforcing guaranteed income programs. This directly affects local governments by restricting their ability to implement certain types of financial aid programs for their residents. The bill defines a "guaranteed income program" as one that issues unconditional cash payments to individuals on a regular basis for any purpose. However, it clarifies that programs requiring recipients to seek reemployment, perform work, or attend training are not included in this prohibition. This restriction would apply unless such programs are specifically authorized by other general or local laws.
House Bill 754 aims to protect disabled and older adults from financial exploitation. It empowers financial institutions to take action when they reasonably suspect such exploitation by updating relevant laws. Financial institutions are required to report suspected cases to law enforcement and social services, and they can contact designated "trusted contacts." The bill also allows these institutions to temporarily delay or refuse suspicious transactions for up to 30 days and grants them immunity from liability for these good-faith actions.
HB 886 requires all public schools in North Carolina to install Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) and train school personnel on their use and on CPR. The State Board of Education must develop rules for AED placement, maintenance, and coordination with emergency services, with at least one AED per school, ideally in an athletic area. Local school boards, charter schools, and regional schools are then required to create policies aligning with these state rules. The bill appropriates $4.1 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to help public school units purchase AEDs and train staff.
HB 415 modifies North Carolina high school mathematics graduation requirements, primarily affecting students and the State Board of Education. It requires completion of NC Math 1 and 2, plus two additional math courses aligned with a student's postsecondary plans, and eliminates the end-of-course test for NC Math 3. The bill establishes an "Extended Math" pathway, dividing NC Math 1 and 2 content into four courses for students needing more time and support. Students scoring below proficient on certain math assessments will be enrolled in these extended courses, which are set to begin in the 2025-2026 school year.
HB 997 requires members of the North Carolina General Assembly to certify whether they have reviewed the U.S. Constitution and the North Carolina Constitution. This certification must be submitted to the Principal Clerk of their respective house before they take their oath of office. The review of the Constitutions must have occurred within the two years prior to taking the oath. This act is scheduled to become effective on January 1, 2027.
House Bill 597 designates the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) as the official state raptor of North Carolina. This bill amends Chapter 145 of the General Statutes to formally adopt the osprey as a state symbol.
The Coach Safely Act (HB 602) establishes an annual training requirement for individuals serving as athletics personnel or coaches for youth sports organizations using state or local government properties. These organizations must provide a free, Department of Health and Human Services-approved youth sports injury education course. The course must cover topics such as concussions, emergency preparedness, CPR, and heat-related injuries. This bill aims to enhance safety for youth athletes aged 18 and younger by ensuring their coaches are trained in injury prevention and response, and provides a defense against liability claims for trained personnel who follow course guidelines.
