SB 423 (Title Fraud Prevention) requires individuals to present government-issued photo ID, like a driver's license, before recording property deeds or similar documents at the register of deeds office. This applies to regular property buyers/sellers (not trusted submitters like title companies, lawyers, or banks), who must show ID in person or submit a redacted photocopy for electronic filings. The bill also creates a new court process for property owners to quickly remove fraudulent deeds from records after fraud is proven. It directly affects homeowners, real estate buyers, and sellers in North Carolina by adding an ID verification step to property transactions to prevent title fraud. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee as of March 2025.
HB 126 requires state and local agencies to seek input from agricultural advisory boards before condemning or rezoning farmland within voluntary agricultural districts. It mandates that agencies request public hearings on such proposals, giving boards 45 days to review and submit recommendations. Agencies cannot proceed with condemnation or rezoning actions while the board is processing the request, extending the timeline to 120 days after the board submits its findings. The bill directly affects landowners in these districts and agencies making land use decisions, effective October 1, 2025.
HB 661, the Building Industry Efficiency Act of 2025, modifies North Carolina's construction and street regulations to streamline development. It prohibits inspection departments from charging fees for canceling inspections more than one business day early (Section 1.1), and limits municipalities from imposing stricter street design standards than the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for both public and private streets (Sections 1.2-1.3). For private streets, developers must disclose if engineered designs fall below NCDOT standards and provide disclosures to buyers before sales. Municipalities and counties must accept pedestrian facilities or street improvements into public road systems after project completion, but counties need agreements with NCDOT or municipalities first (Sections 1.4-1.5). The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting developers, municipalities, engineers, and property buyers.
HB 615 helps military families enroll children in North Carolina public schools before establishing local residency. It allows students to register remotely (e.g., online) if a parent is on active duty and either transferring to a North Carolina military base or separating within 12 months, requiring only a copy of the military order or separation document. Families have one year from the parent's duty start or separation date (or until the end of the school year) to provide proof of residency, with high school juniors/seniors getting until graduation. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
HR 778 is a non-binding resolution passed by the North Carolina House of Representatives expressing support for the state's historical and economic ties with the United Kingdom. It highlights North Carolina's cultural connections (e.g., city names like Raleigh and Charlotte), economic partnerships (including $1 billion in UK investment and 218 UK-owned companies employing 43,200 workers), and trade relationships (over $2.5 billion in annual trade). The resolution urges the U.S. Congress to strengthen trade and investment cooperation with the UK and directs transmission to the UK Embassy, consulates, and North Carolina's congressional delegation. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policy changes but reinforces existing diplomatic and economic bonds.
SB 639, the North Carolina Farm Act of 2025, updates agricultural water planning, addresses feral swine damage, and strengthens farm conservation protections. It requires the Department of Agriculture to revise the state’s agricultural water plan by 2026, including funding for water infrastructure, conservation practices, and flood mitigation. The bill creates a Feral Swine Working Group with industry and agency representatives to develop control strategies and report annually, while also mandating 100-foot vegetative buffers around protected farm tracts in new subdivisions. Local governments gain authority to deny development permits that would negatively impact agricultural production, directly affecting farmers, landowners, and municipal planning decisions.
This resolution (HR 777) expresses the North Carolina House of Representatives' support for the longstanding friendship and economic ties between North Carolina and France. It highlights historical connections (like French Huguenot settlements and General Lafayette's role), notes France as a major investor in NC ($429M since 2013) and employer (15,500 jobs), and urges closer U.S.-France trade cooperation. The resolution is purely symbolic, with no new policies or funding, and serves to affirm existing bilateral relations through ceremonial recognition.
HB 336 removes seven specific properties (identified by tax IDs) from the corporate limits of Maggie Valley, North Carolina. This deannexation means those properties will no longer be subject to municipal taxes for taxable years beginning July 1, 2025, or later. The bill ensures existing tax liens and assessments against these properties remain valid and enforceable after removal. It becomes effective June 30, 2025, with the tax change applying to properties as of January 1, 2025. The bill directly affects the owners of the listed properties by changing their municipal tax obligations.
HB 187 updates North Carolina's credit union oversight rules. It requires credit unions to pay semiannual supervision fees (in January and July) and submit annual financial reports to the Credit Union Division. The bill clarifies examination schedules (every 18 months), sets late-report penalties ($75-$750 per day), and specifies how fees and penalties are collected and used. These changes directly affect all North Carolina credit unions operating under Chapter 54 statutes, streamlining their regulatory compliance with the Administrator of Credit Unions. The bill focuses on administrative procedures, not new member benefits or financial programs.
HB 740 limits state contractors' liability for damages arising from contracts to twice the contract value (up to three times if a risk assessment confirms it's necessary). It requires contractors to prove sufficient financial resources - through insurance or other means - to cover this liability before signing contracts. The law excludes liability for intentional misconduct, property damage, or personal injuries and mandates annual reports on contracts exceeding the standard liability limit. This applies to all new or renewed state contracts after enactment, focusing on financial accountability without altering contractor obligations to third parties.
HB 860, the Social Media Control in Information Technology Act, requires social media platforms with over 1 million U.S. monthly active users to stop using North Carolina minors' (under 18) personal data for advertising or algorithm-driven content recommendations. It mandates platforms to provide clear, easy-to-use privacy tools allowing users to control data sharing, with special opt-in consent required for minors' data. The bill prohibits "dark patterns" in consent processes and defines strict terms like "personal information" to cover data ranging from location to health details. Violations would be treated as unfair business practices under North Carolina law, with funds appropriated for enforcement. The law directly affects major social media platforms operating in North Carolina, focusing on protecting minors' data privacy rather than addressing broader social media use.
HB 829 requires all locksmith businesses (including corporations, sole proprietorships, and partnerships) and individual locksmiths to obtain and renew a license annually from the North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board. It updates apprentice rules to mandate 16 hours of training, a background check, and a visible badge for apprentices working under a licensed locksmith, with a three-year limit to complete the licensing exam. The bill clarifies that locksmiths must be licensed when providing services in facilities holding sensitive records (like hospitals, schools, or government offices), and unlicensed work is punishable by fines or imprisonment, starting as a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense.
