HB 113 creates a joint legislative committee to study potential changes to North Carolina's Medicaid program if federal funding decreases. The 12-member committee (six senators appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore, six representatives appointed by the House Speaker) will examine cost-saving options like reducing optional services, adjusting provider payments, or improving managed care efficiency. It must submit a final report with recommendations to the General Assembly by April 30, 2026, but the bill itself does not make any direct policy changes to Medicaid. This is a procedural measure establishing a study body, not a policy enactment.
HB 399 increases fees for nursing licensure applications, renewals, and reinstatements with most fees doubling (e.g., registered nurse application fees rise from $75 to $150, renewal fees from $100 to $200). It directly affects nurses seeking initial licensure, renewing licenses, or reinstating lapsed licenses in North Carolina. The bill establishes a 20% annual cap on future fee increases and specifies no refunds will be issued. These changes apply to all applications, renewals, or reinstatements processed on or after October 1, 2025. The bill does not alter nursing practice standards or create new regulatory requirements.
HB 558 updates how North Carolina selects Medicaid health plans by limiting statewide contracts to four and allowing up to 12 regional contracts through local health providers. It requires the state to prioritize bids from local providers and those with high provider satisfaction scores from existing contracts. The bill also mandates staggered contract terms (3-5 years) to prevent coverage gaps during transitions. These changes directly affect Medicaid health plan contractors and the Division of Health Benefits, aiming to stabilize coverage and improve provider relationships.
HB 707 prohibits North Carolina state agencies and local governments from purchasing small drones (under 55 pounds) made or assembled by foreign vendors linked to China or Russia, or listed on U.S. sanctions lists. The bill directly affects all state and local government entities that buy drone technology, banning the use of state funds for such purchases starting July 1, 2027. Key provisions define "covered foreign entities" as those tied to Chinese/Russian governments, on U.S. sanctions lists, or controlled by those nations. This law aims to restrict drone acquisitions from specific foreign sources without altering existing drone usage policies.
HB 424 exempts casual board, card, or tile games (like bridge or mahjong) played in private homes, residences, or community clubs from North Carolina's gambling laws, provided specific conditions are met. It directly affects social groups hosting these games, prohibiting the use of electronic devices, commercial betting, or profit for hosts or players beyond personal winnings. Key provisions require all players to face equal risks of winning or losing, ban slot machines or video games entirely, and prevent hosts from receiving any financial benefit. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, and applies only to non-commercial, private social gatherings.
HB 640 requires North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services to regularly verify eligibility for public assistance programs like Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. It mandates monthly or quarterly data sharing with state agencies (e.g., Vital Records, Labor, Lottery Commission) and federal databases (e.g., Social Security, National Directory of New Hires) to check income, employment, residency, and other factors affecting benefits. The bill also requires the department to publicly post nonconfidential, aggregated data on fraud investigations and improper payments quarterly. This directly affects individuals enrolled in health and housing assistance programs by strengthening how their eligibility is reviewed.
HB 671 establishes a four-year pilot program (2025-2026 through 2028-2029) that provides grants to North Carolina public high schools (grades 9-12) to form or support competitive speech and debate teams. Schools can receive up to $10,000 per team annually, covering coach stipends (capped at $2,500 for lead coaches and $1,500 for assistants) and competition expenses like travel and league fees. Participating schools must join the Tarheel Forensic League and National Speech and Debate Association, and the program allows students from schools without teams to join the nearest team (with students covering their own transportation). Funded by $500,000 yearly from the General Fund, the Department of Public Instruction will administer the program and report annually on grant usage and student academic outcomes.
HB 699 would have prohibited North Carolina sheriffs from firing deputy sheriffs or other employees in their office for failing to make campaign contributions to the sheriff or the sheriff's campaign committee. This directly affects sheriff's office employees who could previously face employment consequences based on political donations. The bill's key provision would have made it illegal for sheriffs to use campaign contributions as a factor in hiring, firing, or disciplinary decisions. It represents a policy change to prevent coercion of employees through campaign donation requirements.
SB 507 requires North Carolina public schools to automatically enroll students who score at the highest level on standardized math or English Language Arts (ELA) tests in advanced courses for the next grade level. This applies to students in grades 3-5 for math and grades 6+ for both subjects, with parents able to opt out via written consent after being informed of the placement basis. The bill expands an existing policy (previously only for math) to include ELA courses and mandates annual demographic reporting to the legislature on enrollment patterns. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
HB 394 prohibits drivers in North Carolina from interacting with children or animals in a way that impairs safe vehicle operation while driving on public roads, such as holding pets on laps or being distracted by children. It directly affects all drivers operating motor vehicles on public streets, highways, or public vehicular areas. The bill creates a $100 fine for violations (with warnings for six months after the December 1, 2025 effective date), but excludes fully autonomous vehicles. This law aims to reduce distracted driving incidents specifically related to passenger interactions.
HB 929 bans adding fluoride to public water systems in North Carolina, effective January 1, 2026. It directly affects municipal water utilities that currently add fluoride for dental health purposes. The bill includes exceptions for naturally occurring fluoride in water sources and industrial uses unrelated to water treatment. It does not apply to private wells, bottled water, or water systems using naturally present fluoride.
HB 935 prevents county election boards from using fire or emergency response agency properties as polling places if doing so would interfere with emergency services. It requires the fire chief to determine that the property's use as a polling site would hinder emergency response, appeal to the county commissioners, and have the commissioners rule in favor of the fire chief's objection. This law directly affects fire departments and election officials by creating a formal process to protect emergency facilities from being requisitioned for voting purposes.
