HB 747 updates North Carolina's wildlife laws with three key changes. It requires the Wildlife Resources Commission to keep personal information (like addresses and email) and details about rare species habitats confidential to prevent harm or theft. The bill also creates two new license plates - “Wildlife Resources” (requiring 300+ applications before development) and “Lifetime Conservationist” - with sales revenue funding conservation accounts. Additionally, it shortens the out-of-state boat number reciprocity period from 90 to 60 days and adds safety rules for personal watercraft, including mandatory Coast Guard-approved life jackets and restrictions on close following. These changes affect the Commission, vehicle owners, and boaters, effective October 1, 2025.
HB 1040 updates the financial and operational rules for the Pitt County-City of Greenville Airport Authority by clarifying how the county and city fund airport operations and expansions. The bill allows the two governments to share costs for running the airport and building new facilities, using money from airport fees, land sales, or voter-approved taxes and bonds. It also confirms the authority's power to manage the property, enforce safety zoning rules, and issue debt for improvements if voters agree. This legislation primarily affects the local county and city officials who oversee the airport's budget and development plans.
HB 169 ends Haywood County's ability to collect an occupancy tax (typically on short-term lodging like hotels) by repealing the legal authority for this tax. It directly affects Haywood County, its Tourism Development Authority, and businesses subject to the tax. The bill requires the Tourism Development Authority to spend any remaining funds within six months for tourism purposes, after which the Authority must dissolve. The repeal takes effect on July 1, 2025.
This bill authorizes the University of North Carolina system to finance specific capital improvement projects, such as dormitory renovations and new construction, using non-state funds like gifts, grants, and hospital receipts. It allows the university to issue special obligation bonds to cover these costs and includes a mechanism for the Director of the Budget to adjust project funding if necessary. Additionally, the legislation standardizes the residency determination process for admission to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and revises tuition grant rules for graduates of that school and the UNC School of the Arts. These changes aim to support university infrastructure development and ensure equitable access to specialized science and arts programs for North Carolina residents.
SB 821 removes a specific property at 86 Magellan Drive from the official boundaries of the Town of Waynesville. The bill ensures that any unpaid taxes or special assessments on this land before the change remain valid and can still be collected. Starting July 1, 2026, the property will no longer be subject to municipal taxes imposed by the town.
HB 87 (Educational Choice for Children Act) allows North Carolina to participate in a federal tax credit program that encourages donations to private scholarship organizations. The bill requires the State Education Assistance Authority to maintain and publish an annual list of qualifying scholarship groups operating in North Carolina, enabling donors to claim federal tax credits for contributions. These scholarships can cover elementary and secondary school costs, including homeschooling expenses, as permitted under federal law. The law becomes effective after 2026, with the Authority needing to establish necessary rules by July 2026 to comply with federal requirements.
SB 846 removes two specific parcels of land from the official boundaries of the Town of Red Oak in North Carolina. The bill ensures that property owners within these parcels will no longer pay municipal taxes for the taxable year beginning July 1, 2026, and any future years. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that any outstanding tax liens or special assessments from before the effective date remain valid and can still be collected or enforced.
