HB 451 requires North Carolina public schools to provide parents and legal guardians with an annual information packet about type 1 and type 2 diabetes at the start of each school year. The packet must include descriptions of diabetes types, risk factors, warning signs, screening processes, and recommendations to consult healthcare providers for diagnosis or treatment planning. Schools must also ensure staff are trained to support students with diabetes through individualized care plans. The law, effective July 1, 2025, includes $10,000 in state funds to help schools develop implementation guidance. It directly affects all parents/guardians of students in North Carolina public schools.
HB 496 requires North Carolina public schools to prioritize access for youth groups designated as "patriotic societies" under federal law, specifically naming the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA as examples. The bill mandates that schools permit these groups to give brief (10-minute) presentations about membership and civic education during non-instructional school time, without counting toward required instructional hours. It applies to all public school types (including charter and regional schools) and requires schools to develop policies ensuring this access, while clarifying that it does not require equal access for non-patriotic groups. The policy aims to encourage civic education by facilitating student engagement with these organizations.
HB 921, the ABC and Gaming Omnibus Bill, makes several key changes to North Carolina's alcohol laws. It allows ABC stores to open on Sundays with local government approval (subject to specific ordinances), clarifies rules for mobile bars to serve alcohol at events without requiring additional permits, and requires ABC stores to prominently display North Carolina-made spirits. The bill also permits businesses with mixed beverage permits to purchase spirits from any designated ABC store in the state and removes restrictions on draft line cleaning services for alcohol manufacturers. These changes primarily affect ABC stores, mobile bar businesses, local governments approving Sunday sales, and nonprofit organizations running 50/50 raffles.
This bill proposes adding a new section to the North Carolina Constitution to explicitly protect the right of people to farm and practice forestry. The amendment would declare activities such as growing crops, raising livestock, and harvesting timber as essential parts of the state's heritage that must be preserved for the public good. It clarifies that these rights are subject only to laws passed by the state legislature, meaning the change would not override existing regulations but rather affirm the practice of agriculture and forestry. Currently, the bill is in the process of being reviewed by state committees and would be voted on by eligible voters in a statewide election in November 2026.
This bill establishes the North Carolina Infrastructure Investment Commission to create a long-term, 20-year strategy for improving the state's critical systems like roads, water, and energy. The new commission will consist of ten appointed members led by the State Treasurer, who will develop a comprehensive investment plan focusing on maintenance, modernization, and resilience against severe weather. Once the plan is submitted to various legislative committees and the governor by March 2028, the commission will dissolve, and any funding decisions must still be approved by the General Assembly. The legislation also allocates $300,000 to cover the administrative costs of running the commission starting in fiscal year 2026-2027.
This bill, known as the Mike Clampitt 1st Responder Tax Fairness Act, aims to expand tax exemptions for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads in North Carolina. Specifically, it allows these independent groups, which have two or fewer paid employees and are already exempt from state income tax, to avoid paying a highway use tax on specific emergency vehicles like fire trucks, forest firefighting units, and other emergency service vehicles. The change applies to vehicles when a certificate of title is issued on or after July 1, 2026, ensuring these organizations can acquire necessary equipment without incurring this particular tax. By broadening the existing exemption, the legislation directly benefits volunteer responders who operate outside of local government units.
HB 381 amends state law concerning the approval of innovative on-site wastewater systems. This bill streamlines the approval process for manufacturers whose systems have been evaluated and approved by a nationally recognized certification body. It removes the previous requirement for these systems to have performed acceptably for at least two consecutive years under such a protocol. The Department is now directed to approve applications and issue innovative wastewater system approvals upon verifying the national certification and consistent design and installation plans.
This bill allows Madison County in North Carolina to sign agreements with sheriff's offices in three neighboring Tennessee counties for joint law enforcement work. These agreements would enable the sheriff's offices to cooperate on special operations and other crime-fighting activities across state lines. The bill also requires that any such agreement include a plan for sharing liability for damages and mandates an annual report to the state Department of Justice.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to North Carolina that would legally define human life as beginning at fertilization. If passed by voters in 2026, it would classify an unborn child as an individual person entitled to state protection from the moment of fertilization until natural death. The measure would also classify willful attempts to end a life at any stage as attempted murder or first-degree murder, while explicitly allowing individuals to use deadly force to defend their own lives or the lives of others. This change would fundamentally alter the state's legal framework regarding abortion and fetal rights by embedding these definitions directly into the constitution.
This Senate resolution formally initiates the process to confirm Nathaniel Denny as the Secretary of North Carolina's Department of Information Technology. The bill requires the Senate to review and vote on the Governor's nomination for this leadership position, as mandated by state law and the state constitution. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as a procedural step to evaluate the appointment before it becomes official.
This bill, known as the Students First Act, introduces three main changes to North Carolina's education system. First, it protects student privacy by explicitly classifying personally identifiable disciplinary records as confidential, preventing them from being released as public records. Second, it creates a work group to study and plan a transition to a weighted student funding model for K-12 public schools, aiming to increase flexibility and transparency in how schools receive state money. Finally, the bill establishes a pilot program for the 2027-2028 school year that would provide high school students with funds to participate in personalized learning and credit-bearing activities. The legislation also appropriates $300,000 to support the formation of the funding strategy work group.
The HALO Law creates a new criminal offense in North Carolina that prohibits people from approaching or staying within 25 feet of first responders who are performing their duties, after the responders have issued a verbal warning. This law protects law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, probation officers, and other specified workers from harassment, threats, or interference. Violating these rules is classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by fines or jail time, unless a more severe penalty already exists for the specific conduct. The legislation also allocates $25,000 to the Department of Public Safety to fund a marketing campaign aimed at informing the public about these new restrictions.
