North Carolina Bills

in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1187: Save Our Beaches.

This bill, titled "Save Our Beaches," stops a specific rule that would have allowed the use of wheat straw bales for sand fencing in North Carolina's ocean hazard areas. By disapproving this rule, the legislation ensures that beach restoration projects in these zones cannot rely on this particular type of temporary barrier. The change directly affects coastal management agencies and contractors who might have planned to use wheat straw bales for erosion control. Ultimately, the bill leaves the decision of which materials are permitted for sand fencing to existing regulations rather than the new wheat straw provision.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1183: Defend NC.

HB 1183, titled 'Defend NC,' prohibits North Carolina law enforcement agencies and officers from assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in arrests or serving removal warrants. The bill also directs state agencies to explore alternatives for health and education funding lost due to federal cuts and mandates a study to potentially create a new state health research institute. Additionally, it temporarily exempts certain tariff-affected goods from sales tax in 2026 and includes general statements of intent to protect Medicaid eligibility and uphold federal promises to North Carolinians.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1061: Protect Moms Who Serve.

This North Carolina bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study health challenges faced by women serving in the military. The study will examine how to improve maternity care coordination, access to community resources, and mental health support for pregnant and postpartum veterans, while also looking at ways to reduce maternal mortality and address racial disparities. To complete this research, the state has allocated $100,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, and the final report with recommendations is due by April 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1015: Child Care Omnibus.

This North Carolina bill aims to improve access to affordable child care by increasing subsidy rates and providing financial support to providers. Starting in October 2026, the state will raise payment rates for licensed centers and homes to match the 75th percentile of market rates, with a specific provision to maintain higher local rates in counties with very few children if the statewide rate would be too low. The legislation appropriates $110 million in recurring funds to implement these rate increases and reinstitutes a $50 million stabilization grant program to help providers with compensation. Additionally, the bill allocates $50 million for matching grants to counties and private employers for physical improvements and capacity expansion, and $60 million for a two-year pilot program that offers subsidies to help child care workers afford care for their own children. To qualify for the worker assistance pilot, providers must be full-time employees earning below 85% of the state median income, and the program requires a 25% match from the employer while prioritizing areas with the highest unmet demand for care.

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1030: Community Scale Weatherization + Health.

SB 1030 expands North Carolina's Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income families by requiring health and safety improvements, such as better indoor air quality measures, alongside standard energy efficiency upgrades. The bill authorizes community-scale projects that target multiple homes in neighborhoods facing shared environmental or economic challenges, allowing local agencies and utilities to submit proposals for these initiatives. To fund these changes, the legislation appropriates $10 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with rules established to prioritize projects that maximize energy savings and address housing vulnerabilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1209: Strengthen Education by Embedded New Teacher Support.

HB 1209 appropriates $1 million in recurring state funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to expand the North Carolina New Teacher Support Program. The money is directed to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors to provide embedded instructional coaching and professional development for beginning teachers within local school districts. Key provisions include partnering with teacher training programs to extend support after graduation, aligning coaching with evidence-based practices, and prioritizing high-need rural areas to help retain new educators. This legislation aims to create a more coherent system for teacher development by connecting pre-service training with ongoing in-district support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1028: NC Airport Security Continuity.

This bill creates a special fund within the state's Highway Fund to provide financial relief to airport workers in North Carolina who lose pay due to federal funding lapses. The program offers interest-free loans to eligible airports, which then distribute funds to Transportation Security Officers and Air Traffic Controllers who have not been paid for at least 14 consecutive days. These loans are designed to be automatically repaid when the federal government issues back pay to the affected workers. The state has appropriated $25 million for this purpose, and the Department of Transportation will oversee the fund's administration and reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 981: AI in Ed Task Force and Standards.

This North Carolina bill creates a temporary Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force to study how AI tools are used in schools and to develop rules for their regulation. The task force will include representatives from the state government, universities, and private businesses, and it must submit its findings by March 2028. Separately, the legislation requires the State Board of Education to create standards for teaching AI concepts to students from kindergarten through grade 12, covering topics like how AI works, ethical use, and critical thinking. To support these efforts, the bill appropriates $250,000 to provide professional development for teachers and administrators.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1070: Restore the American Dream.

This bill aims to expand affordable housing in North Carolina by providing both immediate funding and a new revenue stream for the state's Housing Trust Fund. It allocates $30 million in one-time funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and establishes a permanent fee on real estate transfer documents, directing a portion of those proceeds to the fund. The legislation directly affects North Carolina residents by increasing resources available to create and preserve safe, affordable housing options, while also impacting real estate transactions through a new tax mechanism. By addressing a significant shortage of affordable units, the bill seeks to support families and stabilize the local economy through improved housing access.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 979: Increase Insurance Rate Transparency.

This bill requires insurance companies to provide clearer notices to homeowners and renters when their premiums exceed standard state-approved rates. It mandates that insurers explain the specific reasons for higher charges and suggest steps policyholders can take to lower their costs, while also banning the use of credit scores to set rates for these types of home and auto insurance. Additionally, the legislation directs the Department of Insurance to publish detailed annual reports on pricing data, claim outcomes, and demographic information to increase market transparency. The bill also allocates funds to the department to run a public awareness campaign about how insurance rates are determined.

in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1205: Orthodontic Treatment In-Person Exam Requirement.

HB 1205 requires that anyone selling orthodontic devices or designing custom treatments in North Carolina must first obtain an in-person evaluation from a licensed dentist. This evaluation must include a physical exam, a review of diagnostic imaging to check for dental issues, a consultation on treatment options and risks, and a review of the patient's medical history. The bill also mandates that dentists keep these records for at least seven years and prohibits forcing patients to choose specific device types as a condition of the exam. Additionally, the law allows dentists to request and receive relevant patient records from providers who previously offered these services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 976: Reduce Healthcare Costs and Protect Patients.

This bill aims to lower healthcare expenses and shield patients from unexpected financial burdens by establishing new rules for insurance plans and medical billing. It directly affects individuals with health insurance, hospitals, and insurance companies operating in North Carolina. Key provisions include capping annual out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000, prohibiting surprise billing for nonemergency care at in-network facilities, and delaying the reporting of unpaid medical bills to credit agencies until 180 days past due. Additionally, the legislation requires hospitals to publicly report negotiated prices for common medical procedures and mandates that emergency ground ambulance services be covered under standard health benefit packages.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results