North Carolina Bills

in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1184: Voucher School Transparency Act.

HB 1184, known as the Voucher School Transparency Act, requires nonpublic schools in North Carolina that receive Opportunity Scholarship funds to submit detailed annual reports to the State Board of Education. These schools must provide financial documentation, standardized test scores for students in grades three and higher, and specific data on graduation rates, teacher licensure, and student demographics. The bill also mandates that schools with at least 70 scholarship recipients or $100,000 in funding undergo annual financial audits, while smaller schools are audited every three years. Additionally, the legislation requires these institutions to conduct criminal background checks for staff, maintain physical facilities within the state, and share safety plans with local law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1188: Limits on Immigration Detention Facilities.

This North Carolina bill prohibits cities, counties, and local or state law enforcement agencies from entering contracts to detain noncitizens in locked immigration facilities for civil immigration cases. It also bans these agencies from maintaining facilities specifically designed to house individuals awaiting removal proceedings under federal authority. To support oversight, the Department of Public Safety must collect and report annual data on detainees, including demographics, legal status, and release or deportation details. The law includes funding for administrative costs and is set to take effect on December 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 974: Behavior Analysis Reforms.

This bill establishes a new professional category called "registered behavior technician" to support the practice of behavior analysis in North Carolina. Under the new rules, these technicians must work under the supervision of a licensed professional, with at least 10% of their work involving direct observation and direction from that supervisor. The legislation also sets specific limits on practice, requiring new technicians to complete 80 hours of supervised service before seeing patients one-on-one and restricting telehealth services to areas with low population density. Additionally, the bill prohibits licensed behavior analysts from seeing minors for more than 16 hours in a single week unless a parent or guardian is present. To implement these changes, the bill provides $50,000 in funding for the state board to create the necessary regulations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1211: Home Equity Investment Loan Act.

This bill, known as the Home Equity Investment Loan Act, brings home equity investment loans in North Carolina under the same regulations as traditional residential mortgages. It directly affects homeowners who use these financial products and the companies that offer them by requiring lenders to be properly licensed and authorized by the state. Key provisions mandate clear disclosures about potential foreclosure risks, payment formulas, and total costs, while also banning mandatory arbitration clauses that would prevent homeowners from suing in court. Additionally, the law ensures that homeowners retain the right to assert defenses against their lenders and requires companies to cover specific closing costs and attorney fees.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1216: John Rollins Scholarship Protection Act.

HB 1216, the John Rollins Scholarship Protection Act, prohibits public colleges and universities in North Carolina from reducing their own financial aid awards when a student receives a private scholarship. This change directly affects students at public institutions and the private donors who provide scholarships, ensuring that private funds are not offset by institutional aid. The bill also requires state governing boards to adopt enforcement policies and report annually on financial aid data, while appropriating over $740,000 in recurring funds starting in 2026 to increase financial aid availability for students.

Topics ✓ Education

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1035: Revise Math Graduation Requirements.

This North Carolina bill updates high school graduation requirements for mathematics by replacing a single sequence of four courses with four distinct pathways aligned to student goals. Students must complete NC Math 1, NC Math 2, and two additional math courses chosen from options like college preparatory, career and technical education, quantitative reasoning, or STEM. The law also mandates that each student's career development plan include these specific math pathways and requires the State Board of Education to finalize the course rules by July 2027. Implementation begins in the 2028-2029 school year for students entering ninth grade, with funding provided to the Department of Public Instruction for rollout.

Topics ✓ Education

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1058: Critical Funds for Mecklenburg County.

This bill directs state funding to several nonprofit organizations and entities in Mecklenburg County for specific projects during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allocates money to construct a new main library, complete a community health center, plan a highway interchange, support affordable housing, fund operational costs for a community center, and improve facilities at a nature museum. The funds are drawn from various state accounts, including the General Fund and the Highway Fund, and the legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1202: First Responder Training Track.

HB 1202 allocates $6.1 million in state funds to Forsyth Technical Community College to create a law enforcement driving training center in King, North Carolina. This facility will feature a driving pad, roadway, and instructional building designed to support basic law enforcement training and ongoing education for police officers. The project is a partnership between the college and the City of Winston-Salem, with funding designated for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 969: First Grade Reading Promise.

This bill allocates five million dollars to provide high-dosage early literacy tutoring based on the science of reading for first-grade students in North Carolina, with options for both in-person and virtual instruction. It clarifies that schools are permitted to use virtual tutoring programs and requires local school districts to report detailed reading proficiency data for first, second, and third-grade students on their websites. The reporting requirements include specific metrics on student performance, retention rates, and participation in reading camps to ensure public accountability. These changes take effect starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1190: Mindset Advantage Pilot Program.

This bill creates a pilot program in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools to help student-athletes improve their mental health and coping skills through structured wellness sessions. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, participating high schools must offer eight mandatory mindset sessions per year led by mental health professionals, with optional one-on-one support available. The program includes anonymous surveys to track student progress and requires a final report detailing how the funds were used and whether the initiative should be expanded. A one-time grant of $180,000 is provided to the Master's League Foundation to cover the costs of running the program, including staff, coordination, and a potential off-site facility.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 971: Statewide Year-Round School Study.

This bill directs the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to conduct a study on the feasibility and potential impacts of adopting a statewide year-round school calendar. The study will examine various factors, including student learning outcomes, summer learning loss, testing schedules, community college enrollment, tourism revenue, and building usage. The department must complete its analysis and submit a report with any proposed legislation to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by February 1, 2027. To fund this research, the bill appropriates $50,000 from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1207: Keeping NC Open for Business.

HB 1207 establishes a state grant program to help North Carolina municipalities prepare for and respond to winter snow and ice events. The bill allows local governments to receive up to 75% reimbursement for purchasing snow removal equipment, hiring private contractors, and covering operational costs like fuel and staffing, provided they also contract with private companies within the state. To ensure accountability and transparency, the program requires all funded vehicles to be equipped with cameras and GPS trackers, and participating municipalities must publish a real-time map showing their snow clearing progress. The legislation appropriates $20 million for initial equipment purchases, $10 million for ongoing operational costs, and $5 million to create a reserve of salt and brine for distribution to local areas in need.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Bill results