SB 590, the Coastal Plain Resilience and Economic Prospects Act, appropriates over $2 billion in nonrecurring funds and additional recurring funds to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for environmental programs. The bill allocates $2 billion specifically for grants to public water and wastewater systems, along with funding for coastal resilience projects, flood risk reduction, dam safety studies, Superfund cleanups, and addressing contaminants like PFAS through dedicated staff positions. It also provides recurring funds for marine patrols, air quality monitoring, and technical assistance for businesses. The funding supports communities and infrastructure across North Carolina, with the bill becoming effective July 1, 2025.
SB 512 designates "Raise Up" by North Carolina rapper Petey Pablo as the state's official hip hop song. The bill, which references the song's cultural significance and Petey Pablo's North Carolina roots, makes no policy changes but formally adopts the track through a symbolic designation. It affects no individuals or entities, as it is purely ceremonial. The legislation requires no implementation or funding, serving only as a cultural acknowledgment.
SB 551 establishes North Carolina's Broadband Assistance Program to help low-income families afford internet service. It provides free broadband for families at or below 100% of the federal poverty level and a $15 monthly credit for families earning between 100-135% of the poverty level who also participate in programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or housing assistance. The program, funded by $250 million in state funds, requires annual income verification and direct payments to internet providers. The Department of Commerce must report quarterly on program participation, outreach, and recommendations starting in 2025.
SB 510 exempts menstrual products like tampons, sanitary napkins, panty liners, and menstrual cups from North Carolina's sales tax. The bill amends state tax law (G.S. 105-164.13) to specifically include these products in the list of tax-exempt items, effective October 1, 2025. It directly affects all consumers purchasing these products in North Carolina, removing a sales tax burden. The change applies to all retailers selling these items in the state, with no additional requirements or mechanisms beyond the tax code update. This is a straightforward policy change focusing on reducing costs for menstrual product buyers.
SB 486 appropriates $30,000 annually from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Aging for the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature program during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. This funding directly supports the program, which engages older adults in state legislative processes. The bill provides recurring annual funding without changing program eligibility or services. It becomes effective July 1, 2025. (This is a procedural funding bill, not a policy change.)
SB 591 updates North Carolina's animal fighting laws by prohibiting minors under 18 from attending cockfighting or dogfighting events and banning the possession of animals or equipment with intent to use them in such fights. It specifically defines "animal fighting paraphernalia" (like fighting pits, gaffs, or training tools) and makes possessing such items with the intent to facilitate fights a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill directly affects anyone attending these events (with minors prohibited), owning or training animals for fighting, or possessing related equipment. Key mechanisms include criminalizing minor attendance, expanding felony charges for animal possession, and creating new misdemeanor penalties for paraphernalia. The law takes effect December 1, 2025.
SB 598 modifies North Carolina's criteria for identifying low-performing schools. It requires schools with an overall performance grade of D or F *and* a growth score of "met expected growth" or "not met expected growth" to be designated as low-performing. The bill also mandates that schools notify parents and guardians in writing within 30 days of this designation, explaining the performance grades and growth scores. This change applies to school designations based on 2025-2026 data. The bill focuses on clarifying identification standards and improving parental communication about school performance.
SB 544 requires the North Carolina State Auditor to conduct regular audits of crisis pregnancy centers that receive state funding. This directly affects crisis pregnancy centers (which typically offer pregnancy-related support services but do not provide abortion care) that accept state money. The bill amends state law to add this audit responsibility to the Auditor’s duties, ensuring financial oversight of these centers. The law would take effect upon enactment but is still pending in the legislative process.
SB 617, the Accessing Certified Professional Midwives Act, establishes a licensing requirement for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in North Carolina who must hold national certification from the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). The bill creates the North Carolina Council of Certified Professional Midwives, composed of seven members (four CPMs, one physician, and two community consumers), to administer licensing, set practice rules, and review standards. It directly affects CPMs seeking to legally practice midwifery, requiring them to obtain a state license while exempting existing nurse midwives, physicians, and emergency childbirth assistance. The law defines key terms like antepartal, intrapartal, and postpartal care to clarify scope of practice under the new licensing framework.
SB 553, titled "Save More Tatas Act," requires health insurance plans in North Carolina to cover diagnostic breast cancer imaging (such as ultrasounds and MRIs) with the same cost-sharing (like copays and deductibles) as routine mammograms, directly affecting women needing these services. It updates mammogram coverage rules to include annual screenings for high-risk individuals (e.g., those with a family history of breast cancer or dense breast tissue) and mandates that facilities meet accreditation standards. The bill also appropriates $3.6 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support mammography services in rural areas and for the State Health Plan. This legislation aims to improve access to breast cancer diagnostic care without increasing patient out-of-pocket costs.
SB 612 requires all new school buses purchased by North Carolina school districts to be electric starting in the 2026-2027 school year, with the goal of converting the entire school bus fleet to electric by the end of the 2049-2050 school year. It also creates a grant program to help small counties purchase electric "activity buses" (used for field trips and events) by covering up to 50% of the cost. The bill appropriates $350 million for general school bus conversions and $50 million specifically for the activity bus grant program, beginning in 2026-2027. This directly affects all school districts, with additional financial support targeted at smaller counties eligible for supplemental funding.
SB 604 defines a "school resource officer" (SRO) as a law enforcement officer assigned to schools for at least 20 hours weekly for safety, security, and related duties. It mandates that all SROs complete initial and ongoing training on mental health, students with disabilities, racial equity, and crisis intervention by 2026. The bill also requires school administrators or social workers to sign SRO-initiated complaints alleging student misconduct before they can be filed in juvenile court. This affects SROs, school staff, and the juvenile court process for school-related complaints, effective January 1, 2026.
