SB 718, the "Fair Procurement and Ownership Reform Act," requires North Carolina's major electric utilities to use competitive bidding for all renewable energy sources (including solar, wind, and storage) without mandating utility ownership percentages, affecting utilities, developers, and customers. It eliminates previous rules like the 55% utility ownership requirement for solar projects, allowing third-party developers to compete equally, and reallocates shared solar capacity to 45% for large commercial customers, 25% for small commercial, and 15% each for government and residential users. Utilities must conduct these all-source procurements every two years, using standardized criteria focused on cost, reliability, emissions goals, and transparency, with public reports on bids and outcomes. The bill aims to promote fair competition, faster renewable deployment, and equitable access for all customer types while removing ownership barriers.
SB 716, the Fair Competition Study Act, requires North Carolina's Public Utilities Commission to study whether reforms to the state's energy market could improve competition, meet climate goals, and benefit consumers. The study will evaluate current energy costs and benefits, assess options like a regional energy-sharing system (energy imbalance market) or grid management organization (regional transmission organization), and analyze impacts on rates, environmental quality, economic opportunity, and vulnerable communities. It does not change existing laws but will inform future policy decisions, with a one-year deadline for the Commission to submit findings. The $350,000 study is funded through the state budget and will examine both North Carolina's system and potential regional coordination with South Carolina and the Southeast.
SB 739 appropriates $6 million in nonrecurring state funds for Hyde County to purchase property specifically for oyster farming. The bill directs this grant to be managed by Hyde County in collaboration with the North Carolina Marine Industrial Park Authority. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and solely provides funding for property acquisition - no policy changes or regulations are introduced. This is a straightforward funding measure targeting Hyde County's oyster farming sector.
SB 753, the NC Highway Patrol Retention Act, provides funding for pay raises for all North Carolina State Highway Patrol officers starting July 1, 2025. It appropriates $40.48 million annually from the General Fund to implement new salary schedules based on years of experience (e.g., $56,000 for new officers, $105,000 for 8+ years) and rank (e.g., $120,750 for Sergeant, $224,612 for Colonel). The bill directly affects all sworn Highway Patrol members by establishing fixed pay scales for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. The changes aim to improve retention through structured compensation increases without altering existing law enforcement duties or responsibilities.
SB 740 appropriates $250,000 from North Carolina's General Fund as a one-time grant to the Council for Children's Rights, Inc. for its operating expenses during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill directs the Office of State Budget and Management to provide this funding, which directly supports the organization's day-to-day operations. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not change existing laws or create new programs - only allocates specific funding for an established nonprofit.
SB 744, the Voucher School Accountability Act, requires nonpublic schools receiving North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship funds to meet new reporting and accountability standards. It mandates annual transparency on tuition fees (capped at 5% annual increases), staff background checks, standardized testing (including ACT for 11th graders), and financial audits for schools receiving over $250,000 in scholarship funds. Schools must also publish student progress data, maintain physical facilities for in-person instruction, and comply with state academic standards. These requirements directly affect participating nonpublic schools and the families using scholarship funds. The bill focuses on enforcing accountability through concrete reporting mechanisms, not changing scholarship eligibility.
SB 734 clarifies that specific man-made ditches - such as roadside ditches, culverts, and storm channels - are excluded from North Carolina's Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA). The bill defines "man-made ditches" in Section 1 and explicitly removes them from CAMA's coverage of estuarine waters, environmental concern areas, and public trust rights under Sections 2, 3, and 4. This means landowners and developers maintaining these ditches will no longer require CAMA permits for them. The bill focuses on clarifying existing law rather than creating new regulations. It directly affects activities involving minor drainage features in coastal zones.
SB 735 establishes the North Carolina Artificial Intelligence Innovation Trust Fund to provide grants and financial support for companies developing or deploying AI in key industries, as well as AI entrepreneurship programs through partnerships with research institutions. The fund prohibits spending on projects involving mass surveillance, discriminatory profiling, or deceptive digital content intended for fraud or electoral interference. Funds will come from state appropriations, interest, and other allowable contributions, with the Secretary of Commerce managing disbursements. The bill defines key terms like "covered model" to guide future regulatory frameworks but focuses on funding innovation rather than direct oversight.
SB 741 appropriates $5 million from North Carolina's General Fund to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation (a nonprofit) for constructing a new main library. The funds are designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and become effective July 1, 2025, directly supporting the library's physical expansion project.
SB 752 allows North Carolina schools to use epinephrine nasal spray in addition to auto-injectors for treating severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). The bill requires schools to stock at least two emergency epinephrine products (including nasal spray) in secure but accessible locations, train staff to recognize symptoms and administer treatment, and develop emergency action plans. It applies to all public, charter, and regional schools, directly affecting students with severe allergies and school staff trained to respond to emergencies. The policy change takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
SB 758 (Water and Sewer Allocation Reforms) prohibits local governments in North Carolina from imposing unauthorized conditions on water or sewer service for new residential housing projects (single-family or multifamily). It bans requirements like extra fees, design restrictions, or arbitrary scoring systems for allocating service, and mandates quarterly public reports on infrastructure capacity. Local governments receiving public funds must publish capacity data, develop annual expansion plans, and prioritize areas facing imminent shortages. The bill directly affects developers seeking service and local governments managing water/sewer systems, ensuring service allocation is based on available capacity - not arbitrary rules. Violations can trigger court-ordered compliance or fines up to $5,000 per day.
SB 750, "Restore the American Dream," aims to address North Carolina's affordable housing shortage by funding the Housing Trust Fund. The bill provides a one-time $30 million allocation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and establishes recurring revenue streams: 1.5% of property deed fees and 33% of real estate transfer tax proceeds will be directed to the fund. These funds will support affordable housing solutions - including home ownership, rentals, and supportive housing - for over 815,000 North Carolinians lacking access to affordable housing and 930,000 cost-burdened households. The bill seeks to reverse a 68% funding decline in the Housing Trust Fund over the past decade, ensuring sustainable resources for housing development.
