HB 443 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the Governor to appoint a replacement for certain state officers (Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, etc.) from a list of three nominees provided by the vacating official's political party, if the party submits recommendations within 30 days. This change would apply to vacancies occurring after the amendment's approval and would modify the current process where the Governor appoints without party input. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 2026 general election to take effect. It directly affects the Governor's appointment authority and the political parties of the affected offices.
This bill proposes adding a new section to the North Carolina Constitution to explicitly protect the right of people to farm and practice forestry. The amendment would declare activities such as growing crops, raising livestock, and harvesting timber as essential parts of the state's heritage that must be preserved for the public good. It clarifies that these rights are subject only to laws passed by the state legislature, meaning the change would not override existing regulations but rather affirm the practice of agriculture and forestry. Currently, the bill is in the process of being reviewed by state committees and would be voted on by eligible voters in a statewide election in November 2026.
This bill, known as the Mike Clampitt 1st Responder Tax Fairness Act, aims to expand tax exemptions for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads in North Carolina. Specifically, it allows these independent groups, which have two or fewer paid employees and are already exempt from state income tax, to avoid paying a highway use tax on specific emergency vehicles like fire trucks, forest firefighting units, and other emergency service vehicles. The change applies to vehicles when a certificate of title is issued on or after July 1, 2026, ensuring these organizations can acquire necessary equipment without incurring this particular tax. By broadening the existing exemption, the legislation directly benefits volunteer responders who operate outside of local government units.
HB 381 amends state law concerning the approval of innovative on-site wastewater systems. This bill streamlines the approval process for manufacturers whose systems have been evaluated and approved by a nationally recognized certification body. It removes the previous requirement for these systems to have performed acceptably for at least two consecutive years under such a protocol. The Department is now directed to approve applications and issue innovative wastewater system approvals upon verifying the national certification and consistent design and installation plans.
This bill allows Madison County in North Carolina to sign agreements with sheriff's offices in three neighboring Tennessee counties for joint law enforcement work. These agreements would enable the sheriff's offices to cooperate on special operations and other crime-fighting activities across state lines. The bill also requires that any such agreement include a plan for sharing liability for damages and mandates an annual report to the state Department of Justice.
This Senate resolution formally initiates the process to confirm Nathaniel Denny as the Secretary of North Carolina's Department of Information Technology. The bill requires the Senate to review and vote on the Governor's nomination for this leadership position, as mandated by state law and the state constitution. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as a procedural step to evaluate the appointment before it becomes official.
This bill, known as the Students First Act, introduces three main changes to North Carolina's education system. First, it protects student privacy by explicitly classifying personally identifiable disciplinary records as confidential, preventing them from being released as public records. Second, it creates a work group to study and plan a transition to a weighted student funding model for K-12 public schools, aiming to increase flexibility and transparency in how schools receive state money. Finally, the bill establishes a pilot program for the 2027-2028 school year that would provide high school students with funds to participate in personalized learning and credit-bearing activities. The legislation also appropriates $300,000 to support the formation of the funding strategy work group.
This bill removes the requirement for Ambulatory Surgical Facilities and Inpatient Rehabilitation Services to obtain a Certificate of Need before opening or expanding in North Carolina. It directly affects healthcare providers operating these facilities by eliminating a regulatory approval step that previously required state permission for new construction or major expansions. The legislation also allocates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to help phase out the remaining Certificate of Need laws in the state and updates legal definitions to exclude behavioral health facilities from these review processes.
House Bill 390, titled "Alleviate the Dangers of Surgical Smoke," establishes new standards for surgical smoke evacuation in North Carolina. This bill requires all licensed hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities to adopt and implement policies mandating the use of a smoke evacuation/filtering system during surgical procedures likely to generate surgical smoke. A smoke evacuation/filtering system is defined as equipment that captures, filters, and eliminates surgical smoke at its origin. The Department of Health and Human Services is authorized to take adverse action against facilities that violate these new requirements. This act is scheduled to become effective on January 1, 2026.
HB 727 modifies the licensure process for marriage and family therapists and therapy associates in North Carolina. It streamlines the process for professionals licensed in other states to obtain a North Carolina license through reciprocity, making it mandatory for qualified applicants. The bill adjusts experience requirements and expands acceptable examination options to include California's clinical examination. Additionally, it clarifies that all applicants, including those applying via reciprocity, must undergo criminal history record checks. These changes aim to facilitate licensing for out-of-state therapists while maintaining regulatory oversight.
SB 164 creates a new Class F felony offense for entering someone's property without legal justification during a declared emergency in an emergency area and taking, damaging, or destroying *temporary shelter* - such as tents, trailers, mobile homes, or vehicles used as living quarters. It directly affects individuals who might loot temporary housing following disasters like floods or storms, where standard security is compromised. The law specifies that victims can sue offenders for triple their actual damages plus legal fees. This amendment to North Carolina law (effective December 2025) targets the specific act of stealing or damaging emergency housing, not general property crimes.
This bill allows the mayor of the Town of Conetoe to vote on all matters before the Board of Commissioners, changing the current rule that restricts the mayor to voting only in case of a tie. By amending the town's charter, the legislation grants the mayor full voting power alongside other commissioners on questions affecting the town. The change applies immediately upon the bill becoming law and directly impacts how decisions are made within the Conetoe town council.
