SB 517 requires hospitals and clinics participating in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program (which provides discounted drugs to safety-net providers) to charge patients no more than the actual cost they paid for those drugs. It also mandates annual public reporting by these "covered entities" starting in 2026, including details on 340B drug costs, payments received from insurers/patients, charity care expenses, and contracts with pharmacies. The bill specifies that covered entities must disclose how many prescriptions used 340B drugs, whether they passed discounts to low-income patients, and financial details about pharmacy partnerships. All submitted reports will be posted online by the state health department for public access. This law directly affects North Carolina hospitals and clinics enrolled in the federal 340B Program.
SB 481 defines key terms for "advanced recycling" in North Carolina, specifically targeting manufacturers using chemical recycling processes. It establishes "mass balance attribution" (a trackable system for counting recycled materials) and "recycled products" (products made via this method), while requiring "third-party certification" for these processes. Crucially, the bill clarifies that products labeled as "recycled" under these definitions still must comply with all existing air, water, and hazardous waste laws. This bill directly affects chemical recycling manufacturers and the regulatory framework governing their products, without creating new environmental requirements. The definitions aim to standardize how recycled content is measured and reported under current environmental statutes.
SB 491 requires debt settlement companies in North Carolina to obtain a state license before offering services to consumers. It sets application requirements including a $2,000 nonrefundable fee, criminal background checks, financial disclosures, and proof of compliance with specific operational standards. The law exempts banks, lawyers, credit unions, and nonprofit organizations meeting federal tax-exempt criteria from licensing. It also clarifies that assisting consumers in enrolling in free federal student loan programs does not count as debt settlement under this law.
This bill exempts UL-certified sign manufacturers from North Carolina's general contractor licensing requirements when installing signs, awnings, or related architectural features. It requires building permit applicants claiming this exemption to provide UL certification documentation and a sworn affidavit verifying their certification. Building inspectors must submit this documentation to the licensing board for verification, and permits may be revoked if certification is invalid. The exemption applies solely to sign manufacturing work, not other construction activities.
SB 550, the Coaches Care Act, requires all middle and high school coaches and athletic directors in North Carolina to complete approved youth mental health first aid training by July 1, 2026. The training teaches coaches to recognize mental health challenges, assist youth experiencing them, and connect them to professional resources. Schools must maintain records of coach certification, and local governments must deny public facility access to youth sports organizations whose coaches lack this certification. The State Board of Education will approve specific training programs, initially including the National Council for Mental Wellbeing's courses, and publish them annually. This law directly affects all public school coaches and youth sports organizations using county or city facilities.
SB 547 modifies the ballot language for a specific county sales tax referendum in North Carolina. It clarifies that revenue from the one-quarter percent sales tax can be used for "any public purpose," removing ambiguity about fund usage. The bill directly affects voters in counties holding referendums under this tax provision, ensuring the ballot question clearly states how funds may be spent. This change applies to future referendums held on or after the law takes effect. The bill does not alter the tax rate or its collection method, only the wording presented to voters.
SB 557 requires most North Carolina state agencies and entities using state funds to stop using the existing "development tier" system (which categorizes counties by economic distress) for programs like farmland preservation, housing tax credits, and wastewater funding by July 1, 2027. It directly affects agencies including Agriculture, Environmental Quality, Health and Human Services, Housing Finance Agency, Transportation, and Revenue. Each agency must develop new, program-specific criteria by July 1, 2026, and report their plans to relevant legislative committees. The bill does not change the underlying tier definitions but mandates replacing their use across multiple state programs with tailored alternatives.
SB 531 requires North Carolina's mental health agencies (LME/LME/MCO) to reimburse private treatment facilities for inpatient care provided to patients under court-ordered mental health treatment when care extends beyond 30 days. This directly affects private facilities that provide extended mental health care for individuals committed by court order. The bill mandates that state agencies cover these costs, shifting financial responsibility from private providers to the state. It applies to treatments beginning on or after the law's effective date.
HB 236 designates the Freedom Flag (created by the Freedom Flag Foundation) as North Carolina's official symbol for remembering the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It authorizes the display of this flag alongside the U.S. and North Carolina flags on all public buildings, institutions, and county courthouses every September 11. The bill does not create new government programs or costs but formally recognizes this flag for annual remembrance. It directly affects public spaces across the state by establishing a specific flag display protocol for a designated date. The measure is purely symbolic and procedural, with no substantive policy changes beyond the annual flag display.
HB 16 requires the North Carolina General Assembly to display the national motto "In God We Trust" directly above and behind the dais for the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, aligning with the U.S. House of Representatives' display. The bill mandates the Legislative Services Officer to implement this, first using private gifts or donations for costs, and if none are provided within 90 days, using state funds. It becomes effective July 1, 2025. This is a procedural bill affecting legislative chamber decor, not a substantive policy change.
SB 552 authorizes $309.5 million from the State Capital Fund to build a new automated warehouse for North Carolina's Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Commission, requiring repayment of at least $20.67 million annually starting in 2025. It establishes new "service business permits" for establishments selling alcohol on-site, restricting what beverages they can serve based on local permit availability (e.g., malt beverages only in areas without wine permits). The bill mandates a $50 application fee for these permits and requires all permit holders (including restaurants and mobile bars) to submit recycling plans for beverage containers or apply for a one-year waiver through the Environmental Quality Division. Annual registration fees of $400 (for most permits) or $50 (for service permits) are also added, with failure to pay resulting in permit revocation.
SB 487 requires that every spending item in North Carolina's Current Operations Appropriations Act must be sponsored by a specific legislator, with the sponsor's name included directly in the appropriation text. This applies only to funding measures within the annual operating budget bill, not to other types of legislation. The bill mandates that appropriations become legally invalid if they lack a named sponsor, aiming to clarify accountability for each spending decision. It does not change how funding is allocated or impact public services directly, but affects how budget language is drafted and approved.
