HB 826, titled "No Retaliation Against Mandatory Reporters," protects employees required by North Carolina law to report suspected abuse, neglect, fraud, or other threats to vulnerable populations (such as child welfare workers, healthcare providers, and sex offender compliance reporters). The bill prohibits employers from taking retaliatory actions like firing, demoting, or reducing pay against these employees for making good-faith reports. Key provisions require employers to inform workers of their rights, provide annual training on reporting duties, and establish a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if adverse actions occur within 60 days of a report. Enforcement is handled by the North Carolina Commissioner of Labor, who can order reinstatement, back pay, or fines up to $5,000 per violation.
HB 825 prohibits ranked choice voting in all North Carolina elections, including primaries and local board appointments. It shortens the early voting period to a single Saturday (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) before elections and clarifies buffer zones around polling places for election-related activities. The bill also tightens absentee ballot requirements, mandating voters provide specific ID details (like last four SSN digits or driver's license numbers) on request forms, with strict rules for alternative affidavits if physical ID is unavailable. These changes directly affect voters requesting absentee ballots and election administrators managing voting procedures.
SB 508 creates a pathway for North Carolina teachers with expiring limited licenses to convert to continuing professional licenses. It requires teachers to have a positive average growth score in the state's education growth data system (EVAAS) for two of their last three years. Teachers with negative growth but who still meet expected growth standards may also qualify if their local school board requests a limited license renewal. The bill applies to licenses expiring on or after the law's effective date and focuses on using measurable student growth data to support teacher career progression.
HB 153 increases vehicle safety and emissions inspection fees in North Carolina, directly affecting vehicle owners who require these inspections. The bill raises the safety inspection fee from $12.75 to $13.75, emissions/safety from $23.75 to $24.75, and authorization fees proportionally, effective October 1, 2025. It specifies these are maximum allowable fees (inspection stations may charge less) and maintains existing rules for re-inspections after failure within 60 days. The bill does not create new requirements or studies but modifies fee structures for vehicle safety and emissions compliance.
HB 471, the Food Labeling Transparency Act, requires manufacturers of cell-cultured and insect-based food products to clearly label items that use meat or poultry terms (like "beef," "chicken," or "burger") with qualifying terms such as "cell-cultured," "insect-based," or "lab-grown" in prominent, close proximity to the product name. This applies to products that mimic traditional meat or poultry but are made without animal slaughter, directly affecting manufacturers of these alternative protein products. The law mandates this labeling to prevent consumer confusion by ensuring the product’s origin is transparent, with enforcement starting October 1, 2025. It does not restrict the sale of these products but requires specific labeling to distinguish them from conventional meat.
HB 384 would allow enlisted members of the North Carolina National Guard (ranks E-1 to E-5) who live in North Carolina to deduct their federal basic military pay from their state income tax. This policy change applies only to their federal service pay, not other income, and would take effect for taxes filed in 2025 and later. The bill amends North Carolina’s tax code to include this deduction for qualifying National Guard members. It does not alter federal tax treatment or apply to higher ranks or other military personnel.
HB 817 appropriates $14.5 million in nonrecurring state funds for specific grants benefiting the Triad region (Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point areas) during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill allocates funds to nine nonprofit organizations and local entities for targeted projects, including mobile medical clinics ($50,000), fire department equipment ($1.2 million), fertility assistance for low/middle-income families ($500,000), stadium improvements ($1.5 million), historic site repairs ($5.3 million), and gun violence prevention programs ($1.5 million). These grants directly support community services, economic development, and cultural events within the Triad region. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not create new laws or regulations.
HB 524 requires North Carolina's Register of Deeds offices to create an electronic fraud detection alert system. Property owners or businesses can enroll to receive email alerts within 24 hours when property documents (like deeds or mortgages) are recorded under their name or business title. The system must include an online portal for enrollment, allow monitoring up to five names per email, and send detailed notifications with recording dates and document details. Enrollees may be charged a reasonable fee covering system costs, but the Register of Deeds cannot be held liable for the system's operation.
HB 335 expands eligibility for emergency judges in North Carolina by allowing retired judges who previously served in both Superior Court and District Court to qualify for emergency judge roles on either court. Currently, retired judges could only serve as emergency judges on the specific court they retired from, but this bill removes that restriction for judges with dual court experience. The change directly affects retired judges who held positions in both court systems before retiring, making them eligible to be assigned to emergency duties in either court. This adjustment streamlines the pool of available judges for temporary court needs without altering compensation or other existing rules.
HB 264, the Wire Fraud Prevention Act, requires banks to verify payment orders through specific security procedures (like verbal checks with customers and beneficiaries) before processing transfers. It mandates that banks refund full amounts for unauthorized payments within 90 days of notification, or 25% within 30 days for certain cases, while customers must report issues promptly to avoid losing interest. The law also obligates beneficiary banks to pay recipients within specific timeframes (including delaying full payment for new accounts over $100,000) and notify recipients of payment receipts by midnight the next business day. This directly affects banks handling wire transfers and their customers, with changes taking effect October 1, 2025.
HB 427 changes North Carolina's concealed handgun permit process by replacing detailed mental health record disclosures with a simplified "yes" or "no" system. Applicants no longer need to provide specific mental health records; instead, medical professionals and other entities with relevant information must respond to sheriffs with a "yes" or "no" indicating if an applicant has a diagnosed mental illness. If they answer "yes," they must provide written grounds within 15 days. Sheriffs must then issue or deny permits within 45 days of receiving this information, and applicants can appeal denials with specific written reasons provided by the responding entity. This directly affects permit applicants, mental health providers, and local sheriffs handling background checks.
This bill requires North Carolina's Commission for Public Health to wait at least three years after a vaccine receives U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before adding it to the state's childhood immunization schedule. It allows exceptions only if both the North Carolina Medical Society and North Carolina Pediatric Society recommend adding a vaccine approved for less than three years. The law directly affects the Commission's authority to update vaccination requirements for school-aged children and the medical societies' role in advising on shorter-approved vaccines. It does not change existing vaccination requirements or exemptions for medical reasons.
