SB 418 authorizes North Carolina's Commissioner of Insurance to establish and operate a state-run health benefits exchange, creating a marketplace for residents to shop for health insurance plans compliant with federal law. The bill gives the Commissioner authority to set rules, apply for federal funding, and form advisory committees to manage the exchange, with $100,000 appropriated for 2025-2026 to launch it. This directly affects North Carolinians seeking health insurance, providing an alternative to the federal marketplace. The exchange must align with the federal Affordable Care Act, and the bill explicitly prohibits state agencies from pursuing a federal "Partnership" model without legislative approval.
SB 363 makes two key changes to North Carolina retirement systems. First, it extends the temporary entry period for charter schools seeking to join the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System, allowing up to two additional years beyond the initial one-year provisional period, and requires financial reviews before full participation. Second, it shifts authority from the State Treasurer to the Board of Trustees to decide whether to restore benefits forfeited due to criminal convictions, requiring individuals to repay contributions with 6.5% annual interest in a lump sum upon reversal. These changes apply to charter schools and retirement system members affected by forfeiture rules under multiple retirement systems. The bill focuses on administrative clarity and procedural updates without altering benefit eligibility or funding.
HB 591, the G.U.A.R.D. Act, allows residents of nursing homes and adult care facilities in North Carolina to install and use their own electronic monitoring devices (like cameras or audio recorders) in their rooms at their own expense. The bill requires facilities to provide power, mounting space, and not deny admission or discharge based on a resident's request for monitoring. Recordings from these devices can be used as evidence in court, and facilities face fines or jail time for violating the law. The act directly affects residents and their families by giving them greater control over monitoring their living environment while protecting facility obligations.
SB 514, the "Social Media Algorithmic Control in Information Technology Act," requires social media platforms with over 1 million monthly U.S. users to obtain clear, separate consent from North Carolina minors (under 18) before using their personal data for advertising or algorithmic recommendations. The bill mandates accessible opt-in mechanisms - replacing default settings - to let users control how their data is processed, while banning the use of minors' data for targeted ads or content algorithms. It defines prohibited data uses broadly to include browsing history, location, and biometric information, and designates violations as unfair business practices under North Carolina law. The law directly affects major social media platforms operating in North Carolina, imposing new data privacy obligations without specifying enforcement details.
HB 609 allows licensed farms in North Carolina to sell unpasteurized milk and raw milk products directly to consumers under strict safety conditions. It requires farms to obtain a Department of Agriculture license, pass annual inspections for disease (tuberculosis/brucellosis), meet water safety standards, and undergo regular testing for bacteria and pathogens in milk. Sales can only occur at the farm of origin or a small farm stand (max 1,000 sq ft), with mandatory labeling stating "Raw milk: not pasteurized and may contain organisms injurious to your health." The bill does not permit raw milk sales in restaurants or general retail settings, and all requirements must be met before the law takes effect on January 1, 2026.
HB 440, "Healthy Food Healthy Bodies," reclassifies foods containing vaccine material as drugs under North Carolina law and bans nine specific food additives. It directly affects food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors in North Carolina by requiring products containing substances like brominated vegetable oil, artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5/6), and certain preservatives to comply with new regulations. Key provisions include prohibiting these additives in human food products and imposing civil penalties of up to $5,000 for first violations (increasing to $10,000 for subsequent offenses), with the law set to take effect January 1, 2027. The bill does not address general food labeling or nutritional content but focuses on reclassifying specific items and banning listed additives.
SB 578 establishes the North Carolina CARDINAL Corps Program to place recent high school graduates (within two years of graduation or GED) and veterans (within two years of military deployment) into paid fellowships in critical sectors like disaster relief, education, public safety, farming, and military family support. Organizations such as schools, local governments, and nonprofits can host fellows, receiving reimbursement of up to $30,200 per fellow annually for salary, training, and program costs, with a 1:1 matching fund requirement from the host. Fellows serve nine-month terms with a $5,000 completion award, and the program requires annual reports on fund usage and participant outcomes. The bill appropriates $1.485 million for implementation starting July 1, 2025, aiming to grow to 1,000 annual participants.
This bill appropriates $6.25 million in one-time funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and $1 million annually from 2025-2027 to the North Carolina Coastal Federation. The funds will directly support three coastal programs: a $1 million education center on Bogue Sound (matching private funds), a $5 million Living Shoreline Protection Program, and a $250,000 oyster shell recycling initiative. An additional $1 million yearly will fund a permanent program to remove abandoned vessels. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, with all funding directed to the Coastal Federation for specific environmental and community projects.
SB 501 appropriates $11 million in one-time state funds for the Town of Edenton's downtown development project, officially named the TEAPOT Project. The bill directs these funds toward building renovations and additional downtown development initiatives within Edenton. The funds are allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and become effective July 1, 2025. This legislation directly affects the Town of Edenton by providing financial resources for specific local infrastructure improvements.
SB 500 appropriates $14 million in one-time state funds for Pamlico County to build a new facility housing the County's Department of Health and Social Services. This replaces a former building abandoned due to moisture and mold issues, using county-owned property. The funding covers engineering and construction costs, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects Pamlico County residents who access health and social services through this office.
SB 533 raises North Carolina's minimum age to purchase tobacco products, including smart vapes and other vapor products, from 18 to 21 years old. It requires retailers to display clear age restriction signs, verify customer age through ID for in-person sales, and use third-party age verification for online orders. The bill also prohibits tobacco sales via vending machines except in 21+ establishments and mandates employee training on age restrictions. Additionally, it directs lottery gaming revenues to fund gambling addiction education and treatment programs. The bill directly affects retailers, vendors, and anyone under 21 seeking these products.
SB 502 appropriates $3.3 million from the state General Fund to the Town of Cape Carteret for a single-purpose project: constructing a new facility to serve as the town hall, police headquarters, and emergency operations center. The funding is a one-time, directed grant for capital needs, directly affecting Cape Carteret's local government operations. The bill does not create new policies or regulations but allocates specific state funds for a defined physical project. It becomes effective July 1, 2025.
