SB 565 appropriates $150,000 annually from the state General Fund for Pinetops' police staffing needs during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, and $100,000 one-time for equipment in 2025-2026. The funds are directed as grants to Pinetops' police department to address staffing and equipment requirements. This bill directly affects the Town of Pinetops' police operations through state-funded support. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing laws or policies.
SB 540 increases funding for small county school systems in North Carolina by revising their supplemental allotment schedule. It provides higher base funding amounts based on student enrollment (e.g., counties with 0-1,300 students receive $1.82 million annually instead of prior rates), directly affecting small school districts with under 3,300 students. The bill appropriates $20,961,180 in recurring funds from the General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to implement these changes. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, ensuring increased per-student funding for eligible small county school systems.
SB 520 appropriates $545,588 from North Carolina's General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund a pedestrian hybrid beacon and crosswalk at Pineville Town Hall, specifically at the intersection of Hwy 51 and Main St. The grant is directed to the Town of Pineville to improve pedestrian safety and enhance walkability in the downtown area. This bill provides a one-time funding allocation for a specific infrastructure project, not a new policy or law. The funds will cover construction costs for the safety device and crosswalk, with the project scheduled to begin after the bill's effective date of July 1, 2025.
SB 364 changes retirement rules for retired Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) and Assistant Public Defenders (APDs) in North Carolina. It reduces the required separation period from state employment before returning to work from six months to 30 days. This means retired ADAs and APDs can rejoin state positions after a 30-day break, rather than waiting six months like other state retirees. The bill directly affects these specific retired legal professionals who wish to return to state service.
SB 594, the Care Center Cost Support Act, increases child care subsidy rates for licensed centers and homes rated 3-5 stars to the 75th percentile of North Carolina's 2023 market study, effective October 2025. It establishes a minimum rate floor for providers and allows counties with very small child populations to use local rates if statewide rates would hinder access. The bill appropriates $110 million annually from 2025-2027 to fund these rate increases, directly supporting low-income families using subsidized care and child care providers serving them. The changes aim to align subsidies with current market costs while ensuring access in all counties.
SB 589, titled the "Economic Empowerment for Tier One Counties Act," allocates $400 million in one-time funding to provide grants to North Carolina's Tier One counties (as defined by state law) for locally driven economic development projects. The bill directs funds toward initiatives focused on self-sufficiency, infrastructure, education, or workforce development, with each county eligible for up to $10 million in grants. Counties must submit detailed proposals outlining how funds will support these areas, and the Department of Commerce reviews and approves all applications before disbursement. Both the Department and recipient counties must submit annual reports tracking fund usage and outcomes until all grants are expended.
SB 590, the Coastal Plain Resilience and Economic Prospects Act, appropriates over $2 billion in nonrecurring funds and additional recurring funds to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for environmental programs. The bill allocates $2 billion specifically for grants to public water and wastewater systems, along with funding for coastal resilience projects, flood risk reduction, dam safety studies, Superfund cleanups, and addressing contaminants like PFAS through dedicated staff positions. It also provides recurring funds for marine patrols, air quality monitoring, and technical assistance for businesses. The funding supports communities and infrastructure across North Carolina, with the bill becoming effective July 1, 2025.
SB 486 appropriates $30,000 annually from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Aging for the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature program during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. This funding directly supports the program, which engages older adults in state legislative processes. The bill provides recurring annual funding without changing program eligibility or services. It becomes effective July 1, 2025. (This is a procedural funding bill, not a policy change.)
SB 538, the Family Empowerment Act, expands child care assistance to families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level, prioritizing single parents and workers in nontraditional hours. It creates tax credits for businesses offering paid parental leave (up to $2,500 per employee) and grants for small businesses to offset leave costs, while establishing state-funded financial counseling and home-visiting programs for low-income families. The bill requires child care costs to not exceed 7% of family income and mandates flexible work policies for employers, with "Family-Friendly Workplace" certification. Funded by $75 million annually from 2025-2027, it targets working families, employers, and child care providers across North Carolina.
SB 596 appropriates $169 million from the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund to North Carolina Central University for critical campus repairs. The funds are allocated as $100 million for HVAC, fire safety, and building code upgrades; $9 million for roof and structural repairs; and $60 million for replacing aging electrical, water, and steam infrastructure. These repairs directly address immediate safety risks and system failures affecting the university's campus operations and facilities. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, with funding designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
SB 541, the Train Infrastructure Acceleration Act, allocates $1 million in additional state funding for each of seven specific train routes in North Carolina to support engineering studies and feasibility work. The bill directly affects the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), which must use these funds for projects like the Asheville-Salisbury line and the Charlotte-Washington, D.C. corridor, alongside existing routes. Key provisions include requiring annual reports on fund usage and progress by December 1 each year, and appropriating $7 million total from the General Fund. The act focuses on advancing preliminary planning, not construction, to strengthen federal partnerships and secure future rail development. It becomes effective July 1, 2025.
SB 603 appropriates $1.5 million from the state General Fund to the Town of Davidson for specific trail projects in Mecklenburg, Iredell, and Davidson counties. The bill allocates $1 million to construct portions of the Carolina Thread Trail connecting Davidson to existing trails in Iredell and Cabarrus Counties, and $500,000 for segments of the West Branch Nature Preserve Greenway within Davidson. These funds are designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support trail construction and connectivity. The bill does not create new regulations but provides direct funding for physical infrastructure projects benefiting local communities and outdoor recreation access.
