North Carolina Bills

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 937: Marijuana and Vapor Products Reform.

This bill modifies North Carolina's marijuana laws by removing criminal penalties for possessing five grams or less of the substance and updating the state's definition of hemp to align with federal standards. It simultaneously increases penalties for manufacturing and selling marijuana and raises the minimum age for purchasing tobacco, vapor, and consumable products. The legislation also imposes higher excise taxes on vapor products and marijuana, expands the jurisdiction of alcohol law enforcement agencies to include these new categories, and allocates funds for evidence storage and disposal. Additionally, it introduces administrative changes to the vapor products directory to improve regulatory oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1122: Expand Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exclusion.

This bill expands the property tax exemption for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses in North Carolina by increasing the excluded home value from $45,000 to the entire appraised value of the primary residence. To offset the resulting loss in local tax revenue, the state will reimburse counties and cities for the taxes they no longer collect from these exempt properties. The legislation also allocates $100,000 to cover administrative costs and sets the changes to take effect for tax years beginning on or after July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 911: Protect Children Born from Fertility Care Act.

SB 911, titled the Protect Children Born from Fertility Care Act, modifies North Carolina laws to clarify parental rights and establish legal remedies for specific fertility care incidents. The bill ensures that children conceived through artificial insemination are treated identically to naturally conceived children and defines clear consent requirements for parents, including provisions for situations where consent forms are missing but parental intent is evident. Additionally, it creates a civil cause of action allowing patients or their children to sue healthcare providers who knowingly used their own reproductive material without the patient's informed written consent, with a five-year statute of limitations for minors.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 909: The BUMP Act.

The BUMP Act directs North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services to provide free, evidence-based education on stillbirth prevention to pregnant patients and train prenatal care providers on monitoring fetal movement and managing related risks. Funded by $400,000 in recurring state money, the bill requires educational materials in English and Spanish to be given to all pregnant women, while also offering training for medical staff on recognizing warning signs like decreased fetal movement. Additionally, the legislation allocates $200,000 to launch a statewide "Count the Kicks" public awareness campaign that prioritizes outreach in areas with higher stillbirth rates to encourage expectant parents to track fetal movements. These measures aim to improve maternal and fetal outcomes by promoting awareness of risk factors and ensuring consistent clinical responses to potential complications.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 931: Smith Reynolds Airport Hangar Improvements.

This bill allocates $15.5 million in state funds to the Department of Transportation for renovating and repairing hangars at Smith Reynolds Airport in Forsyth County. The money is specifically designated for two locations: $11.5 million for the facility at 4001 North Liberty Street and $4 million for the one at 3820 North Liberty Street. These funds will cover structural repairs, modernization efforts, and necessary infrastructure improvements to the airport's hangar facilities. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, and directs the allocated money to be used for these specific construction and maintenance projects.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1129: Balcony Solar.

HB 1129 allows residential customers in North Carolina to install and operate small, portable solar panels up to 1.2 kilowatts without needing approval or paying extra fees from their electric power supplier. The bill requires these devices to be safety-certified, comply with electrical codes, and include a feature that stops them from sending power to the grid during an outage, while also exempting them from standard net metering rules. Additionally, the law prevents landlords of larger rental properties from blocking tenants from placing these devices on their units, provided the installation does not block emergency exits or cause property damage.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1101: Hatteras-Ocracoke Hovercraft Pilot Program.

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program to test hovercraft ferries on the Hatteras-Ocracoke route, aiming to improve travel times and reduce the need for expensive channel dredging. The North Carolina Department of Transportation will issue a request for proposals to lease or buy suitable hovercrafts and implement a fare system that is free for island residents but charges a fee for visitors. A feasibility study will evaluate the long-term benefits of replacing the current diesel fleet, including environmental impacts and financial viability, with reports due in early 2027. To fund this initiative, the state will allocate $25 million from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 940: 2026 Appropriations Act.

SB 940, titled the 2026 Appropriations Act, allocates state funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support the daily operations of North Carolina state agencies, departments, and institutions. The bill distributes money from the General Fund, the Highway Fund, and the Highway Trust Fund to cover essential services, including transportation maintenance, while also funding federal block grants for health and other programs. It incorporates existing budget rules and applies only to the specific fiscal year unless other laws indicate a longer duration. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and includes standard provisions ensuring that any remaining funds revert to their original sources at the end of the year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 897: NC CROWN Act.

This bill, known as the North Carolina CROWN Act, expands state employment discrimination laws to explicitly protect individuals from discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, twists, and locks. By legally defining these hair styles as traits associated with race, the legislation ensures that employers cannot deny hiring, firing, or otherwise discriminate against people because of their natural hair. The act also strengthens anti-retaliation protections for employees who report discrimination under these new provisions. To support implementation, the bill appropriates $100,000 for the Department of Labor to educate both employers and employees about the law's requirements and rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 913: Screen Free Schools.

This bill, titled Screen Free Schools, requires public schools in North Carolina to create policies that limit the use of wireless devices like cell phones, tablets, and laptops during instructional time. Under the new rules, students in kindergarten through eighth grade must keep these devices off at all times on school property, while high school students may only use them during specific state testing periods unless a teacher grants permission for educational or emergency reasons. The legislation includes exceptions for students who need devices for individualized education plans, medical conditions, or teacher-approved learning activities. To help schools implement these changes, the state will provide $100,000 in funding for the 2026-2027 school year, and the law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education ✗ Technology

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1085: Improve Cable Service Complaint Resolutions.

This bill strengthens the state's ability to handle complaints about cable service providers by allowing the Attorney General's office to seek financial penalties if a company repeatedly violates federal customer service rules or its own contract terms. It requires cable companies to print specific instructions on their bills guiding customers to contact the state agency for unresolved issues and clarifies that persistent violations are considered deceptive practices. The legislation also establishes a reporting requirement for the agency to track complaint statistics and excludes video streaming services from these regulations. To support these new enforcement powers, the bill appropriates funds to hire additional staff and cover implementation costs, with the measures taking effect in 2026 and 2027.

Topics ✓ Technology

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 923: Funds for Brenner Children's Hospital.

This bill directs $250,000 in nonrecurring state funds to the City of Winston-Salem for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money is intended to support a rural maternal health program at Brenner Children's Hospital. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Bill results