SB 203 amends the City of Wilmington's charter to clarify and expand the city's authority to sell, exchange, or transfer real property while attaching restrictions. It allows the City Council to impose covenants, conditions, or restrictions on property sales to align with city policies or plans, including requiring detailed development proposals from bidders. The bill mandates public notice of proposed transactions at least 10 days before a council vote and requires resolutions authorizing all such sales. This directly affects the City of Wilmington's process for managing public property sales but does not change existing state law governing municipal property transactions.
SB 29 is a procedural bill that references only the 6th Senatorial District in North Carolina. It contains no substantive policy changes or mechanisms, as its text solely states it relates to the district and becomes effective upon enactment. The bill does not alter any laws, affect constituents, or establish new authorities. It appears to be a non-substantive reference bill, likely for administrative or record-keeping purposes within the Senate. No voting record or committee action on policy content is available.
SB 174 authorizes Rutherford County to build community college facilities on Isothermal Community College's campuses within the county, overriding certain existing laws that would otherwise restrict such construction. The bill allows the county to finance these buildings through specific funding methods (like bonds under Chapter 159 of state law), temporarily transfer college property as security for financing, and then lease the completed buildings back to the college under agreed terms. This directly affects Rutherford County (as the builder) and Isothermal Community College (as the lessee and recipient of the facilities). The law requires the county to consult with the college board during planning and comply with specific state statutes regarding construction and financing.
SB 149 authorizes Henderson County to construct community college buildings (including renovations and repairs) on Blue Ridge Community College's campuses within the county, overriding certain existing procurement laws. The county can finance these projects through bonds or state appropriations, with the college temporarily transferring property as security for financing (returned once paid off), and must lease completed buildings back to the college. This directly affects Henderson County (as the builder) and Blue Ridge Community College (as the lessee), requiring ongoing consultation between the county and college board during construction.
SB 171 allows licensed psychological associates in North Carolina to practice independently without direct supervision after completing 3,000 hours of supervised experience over 24-60 months. This directly affects psychological associates who meet the experience requirement, reducing regulatory barriers to their practice. The bill amends licensing rules to establish this pathway, requiring an application with proof of experience and granting certification as a "health services provider psychological associate." It also updates board composition rules to ensure balanced representation. The changes take effect October 1, 2025.
HB 811 requires North Carolina property assessors to send written notices to property owners within 30 days of a property revaluation. These notices must include the current and prior appraised values, the percentage change, appeal instructions, and tax rates from the previous year. The bill also mandates that budget officers publish an estimate of the revenue-neutral tax rate on government websites by May 15 each year a revaluation occurs, updating it by July 15 after the budget is adopted. This transparency measure applies to all counties conducting revaluations effective on or after January 1, 2025, directly affecting property owners and local government budget processes.
HB 435 clarifies and updates North Carolina's regulations for engineers and land surveyors by reenacting repealed provisions and organizing licensing requirements. It defines "practice of land surveying" to include modern methods like GPS mapping and specifies detailed education/experience rules for land surveyor interns (e.g., requiring four years of surveying curriculum or 10 years of experience) and professionals (e.g., five references from licensed surveyors). The bill applies retroactively to July 1, 2022, affecting individuals seeking or renewing licenses in these professions. It does not create new policy but corrects technical errors in existing law.
HB 429 would have authorized a special license plate for North Carolina vehicle owners supporting the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Turtle Rescue Team. The bill specified a $30 annual fee per plate, with $20 directly funding the Turtle Rescue Team's work rehabilitating turtles, while $10 went to a state fund. However, the bill explicitly states this plate program expired on July 1, 2016, meaning it is no longer active or available for purchase. The legislation primarily affected vehicle owners who chose to buy this specific plate, with the fees supporting the Turtle Rescue Team's wildlife rehabilitation services.
SB 205 clarifies that private swimming pools at single-family homes used exclusively by residents and their guests - including those accessed via sharing economy platforms - remain exempt from public pool regulations. The bill explicitly states these pools must still be maintained in safe working order, regardless of whether guests pay a fee for access through platforms like Airbnb. For pools rented via sharing platforms, the bill adds specific safety requirements: 4-foot fencing with self-latching gates, clear signage, lifesaving equipment, non-slip surfaces, proper suction covers, and chemical balance maintenance. This applies only to private pools in single-family dwellings, not public facilities like hotels or community pools. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 329 authorizes the South Fork Passage Trail to become a state-designated trail within North Carolina's State Parks System. The 60-mile hiking and paddling trail will run from Jacob Fork Park in Catawba County to Lake Wylie on the South Carolina border, connecting existing parks and recreational areas across Catawba, Lincoln, and Gaston Counties. The bill permits using existing state funds from designated trust accounts (like the Land and Water Fund) for trail development without requiring new appropriations. This designation directly expands public recreational access for the 2.7 million residents in the surrounding Metropolitan Statistical Area.
SB 37 authorizes Hertford County to establish a Rural Development Authority to coordinate local economic growth initiatives. The bill creates a formal structure for the county to manage projects like infrastructure improvements and business support programs. This measure directly affects Hertford County's ability to implement targeted rural development efforts under existing state law.
SB 176 allows Mitchell County, North Carolina's Sheriff's Office to formally agree with Unicoi County, Tennessee's Sheriff's Office for joint cross-state law enforcement operations. The bill requires any such agreement to clearly define how liability for property damage or injuries during these missions will be shared or assigned, while minimizing liability for Mitchell County and the state. It also mandates that these agreements be reported annually to the North Carolina Department of Justice by November 1. This bill directly affects Mitchell and Unicoi County law enforcement agencies by enabling structured cooperation across state lines.
