HB 92, titled the "NC Digital Assets Investments Act," authorizes the North Carolina State Treasurer to invest various state funds in qualifying digital assets. This includes funds from the General Fund, Highway Fund, and numerous retirement and special funds. The bill specifies that eligible digital assets must be exchange-traded products with an average market capitalization of at least $750 billion over the preceding 12 months. Additionally, investments in digital assets cannot exceed 10% of a fund's balance, and the State Treasurer must use a defined "secure custody solution" if managing these assets internally.
HB 637 grants flexibility to Pitt County Schools regarding salary supplements for advanced teaching roles. It allows the $10,000 supplement for an adult leadership teacher to be shared with other teachers. This sharing is permitted when those teachers are collaborating in a "community of practice" to address an instructional issue within schools participating in the R3 Program Community of Practice model. This bill applies exclusively to Pitt County Schools and becomes effective for the 2025-2026 school year.
HB 797, titled "Residential Property Wholesaling Protection," clarifies that residential property wholesaling and related transactions are considered real estate brokerage activity, requiring those involved to be licensed. The bill grants homeowners a non-waivable right to cancel purchase contracts related to residential property wholesaling until midnight of the 30th day after execution or until deed conveyance. It also mandates that these contracts include specific disclosures about this cancellation right, printed in at least 14-point font. Failure to provide this right to cancel is deemed an unfair or deceptive trade practice.
HB 614, titled "The Michael Mitchke F.I.N.E. Law," mandates that an autopsy be performed in any case where human remains are discovered following a fire incident. This bill modifies current law by adding a new requirement for the Chief Medical Examiner or designated pathologists to conduct an autopsy in these specific circumstances. The change aims to ensure a thorough examination of remains found in fire-related incidents. This law directly affects the duties of medical examiners and applies to cases arising on or after October 1, 2025.
HB 279 addresses how vacancies are filled on the Haywood County Board of Commissioners. The bill states its purpose is to ensure these vacancies are filled in accordance with G.S. 153A-27, which typically involves appointment by the remaining board members. To achieve this, the bill amends G.S. 153A-27.1(h) to
HB 261 establishes new sentence enhancements for individuals convicted of certain crimes. It increases the severity of a felony sentence (excluding Class A) if the person was unlawfully in the United States and had prior immigration issues, raising the felony by one or two classes. The bill also enhances sentences for felonies (excluding Class A) and misdemeanors committed while conspiring with others to benefit or promote criminal activity. For these offenses, the sentence is increased by one class, or a Class A1 misdemeanor becomes a Class I felony. These enhancements apply if the specific conditions are proven beyond a reasonable doubt during trial.
House Bill 801 authorizes the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) to study "paper towns" in North Carolina. A "paper town" is defined as a town that exists but fails to provide adequate services to its residents as required by law. The study will assess if towns incorporated since 1995 are delivering proposed services and if their current services justify continued incorporation, including taxation and zoning powers. The LRC will also consider actions like suspending or revoking charters for non-compliant towns and recommend changes to future incorporation criteria. A final report, including any proposed legislation, is due to the 2026 General Assembly.
HB 140 authorizes the addition of the Gullah Geechee Greenway/Blueway Heritage Trail to North Carolina's State Trails System. This bill adds a 21-mile multiuse trail in Brunswick County, designed for pedestrian and bicycle use, which connects various historical sites significant to Gullah Geechee culture. It directs the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to support and promote the trail's establishment and allows the State to acquire necessary land through donations or existing funds, waiving the usual appropriation requirement for new additions.
House Bill 717 proposes changes to the North Carolina Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Act, affecting PEOs operating in the state. It updates definitions for financial terms like "tangible net worth" and "working capital," and clarifies licensing requirements for PEO groups, allowing consolidated financial reporting while mandating inter-group payment guarantees. The bill modifies PEO license application requirements, extending the timeframe for audited financial statements to 120 days and requiring applicants to demonstrate positive working capital and a minimum tangible net worth of $50,000. Additionally, it adjusts surety bond requirements for PEOs with negative working capital and allows the Commissioner to accept parent company financial statements if certain conditions, including a guaranty for obligations, are met.
HB 575, known as "The Hunter Robinson Act," revises North Carolina's laws governing post-release supervision for criminal offenders. The bill modifies how the "maximum imposed term" is calculated for prisoners serving consecutive sentences by adjusting the months deducted based on felony class. It also changes when prisoners become eligible for post-release supervision and extends the required length of the supervision period for most felony categories. These changes generally result in longer post-release supervision terms for affected offenders. The act applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.
HB 439 modifies North Carolina law concerning the concealed carry of bladed weapons, directly affecting individuals who wish to carry certain knives. The bill redefines an "ordinary pocket knife" as a folding knife with a blade up to 6 inches, which remains exempt from concealed carry restrictions. It also establishes new conditions allowing the concealed carry of other bladed weapons, such as bowie knives or daggers. To do so, an individual must be at least 18 years old, carry valid identification, have no felony convictions, and not carry the knife in locations where concealed handguns are prohibited.
House Bill 605 amends North Carolina law by establishing new definitions related to advanced recycling processes. It defines "mass balance attribution" as an auditable accounting method, requiring a third-party certification system, to track feedstocks used in recycled products. The bill also defines "recycled products" as those made from recyclable materials through chemical recycling processes using this attribution method. This legislation clarifies terminology for manufacturers and entities involved in advanced recycling, while noting that such products remain subject to existing environmental regulations.
