Budget & Taxes

signed · North Carolina · House Jul 8, 2026

HB 1094: Ferry Division Audit/DOT Omnibus.

This bill directs the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Ferry Division within the Department of Transportation. The audit will examine financial spending, operational efficiency, and the current route system to identify ways to reduce costs and increase revenue. Additionally, the review will explore options for diversifying funding sources to support capital projects and cover operating expenses. The State Auditor must submit a final report detailing these findings to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division by October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by auditing state spending to reduce costs and increase revenue.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · North Carolina · House Jul 8, 2026

HB 920: Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act.

HB 920, the NC Digital Asset Freedom Act, allows North Carolina residents and businesses to use qualifying digital assets for everyday transactions and tax payments. To qualify, digital assets must meet strict criteria including 10 years of security, $750 billion market capitalization, decentralized governance, proof-of-work security, and U.S. regulatory classification as a non-security. The bill recognizes these assets as legally valid payment methods (preventing denial of enforceability) and permits tax payments to the state using them, requiring reporting of U.S. dollar equivalents at transaction time. It also mandates privacy protections for users and imposes a $2,000 daily transaction limit for new users of digital asset kiosks to prevent fraud.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows digital assets for tax payments, directly enabling new tax payment methods under TAXATION subject in bill summary and subjects list.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables regulated digital assets as legal payment methods with security criteria, advancing cryptocurrency adoption and establishing legal framework for digital transactions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 8, 2026

SB 355: Support the Dept. of Adult Correction.-AB

SB 355 waives tuition at North Carolina public colleges for survivors of correctional officers, probation officers, or firefighters who died in the line of duty or became permanently disabled. It specifically covers spouses of disabled officers and children (ages 17-24) of disabled officers, with eligibility requiring service-connected death/disability and verification from relevant agencies. The waiver applies to both credit and noncredit programs, limiting bachelor’s degree support to 54 months. This policy directly affects families of these public safety workers by reducing education costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill waives state tuition fees for eligible survivors, increasing state spending on education funding through targeted appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waivers for eligible survivors of first responders, expanding access to higher education through financial aid for specific beneficiary groups.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · North Carolina · House Jul 8, 2026

HB 747: 2026 Wildlife Resources Changes.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates license plate revenue funding conservation accounts, directly advancing budget allocation for wildlife programs via new fees.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds conservation via license plate sales and protects rare species habitats through confidentiality measures, directly advancing environmental conservation efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · North Carolina · House Jul 2, 2026

HB 1040: Pitt-Greenville Airport Authority Changes.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies funding mechanisms and allows use of fees, land sales, and voter-approved taxes to support airport operations and expansions.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill clarifies funding mechanisms and operational rules for airport infrastructure, enabling cost-sharing and debt issuance for improvements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · North Carolina · House Jul 2, 2026

HB 332: Nash/Rocky Mount Occupancy Tax Changes.

HB 332 modifies Nash County's occupancy tax by allowing the county to add a 2% tax on top of the existing 3% tax for hotel/motel stays. This affects hotels, motels, and similar accommodations in Nash County (excluding nonprofits) and directs the new tax revenue to two entities: two-thirds to the Nash Tourism Development Authority for tourism promotion, and one-third to the City of Rocky Mount for approved tourism projects. The bill specifies that all funds must be spent exclusively on tourism-related activities like marketing, convention centers, or promoting travel within Nash County. It requires the county to first implement the base 3% tax before adding the additional 2% levy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases occupancy tax rate and allocates new revenue to tourism development authorities, directly advancing tax collection and budget allocation mechanisms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · North Carolina · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 1123: UNC Omnibus and Capital Contracting Law Changes.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables university capital projects via non-state funds and bonds, promoting fiscal management and infrastructure funding.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes UNC to finance capital improvements and issue bonds, directly funding higher education infrastructure and expanding educational capacity.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · North Carolina · House May 21, 2026

HB 1089: Constitutional Amendment Property Tax Levy Limit.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would require the North Carolina legislature to establish a statewide limit on how much local property tax levies can increase each year. The measure also mandates that any local government wanting to raise property taxes beyond this limit must first obtain approval from a majority of voters in that specific area. Because this change alters the state constitution, it will not take effect immediately but will instead be placed on the November 3, 2026, ballot for voters to decide whether to adopt. If approved by the public, the amendment would legally bind the General Assembly to create the specific tax increase caps mentioned in the text.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill imposes a statewide limit on property tax increases, restricting local governments' ability to raise revenue for budgets and services.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingLimiting property tax increases restricts local funding for affordable housing development and services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · North Carolina · Senate Oct 23, 2025

SB 449: Continuing Budget Operations Part IV.

SB 449 modifies North Carolina's disaster recovery funding programs related to Hurricane Helene. It extends interest-only payment periods for Golden LEAF loans to 24 months, caps individual loans at $150,000, and defers repayment for small cities and counties until June 30, 2030, or after FEMA reimbursement decisions. Eligible communities include cities with under 10,000 residents and over 100% budget damage, or counties with under 25,000 residents and over 50% budget damage from Helene. The bill also requires local government grant projects to be ineligible for FEMA Public Assistance reimbursement to qualify for funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDefers loan repayments for disaster-affected local governments, easing budget pressures and aligning with appropriations subject category.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

passed both · North Carolina · House Sep 22, 2025

HB 389: Continuing Budget Operations Part III.

HB 389 establishes a two-year pilot program to create free child care workforce academies across North Carolina, directly affecting individuals seeking careers in child care with no prior experience. The program provides free training, credentialing support (including health screenings and background checks), and stipends ($150 upon completion, $500 after one year of employment) to help participants become lead teachers in licensed child care centers. It allocates $738,000 annually from the General Fund for 2025-2027 to cover tuition and stipends, requiring local partnerships to contribute 25% match. The pilot will launch in Johnston and Wayne counties plus 10 additional regions, with progress reports due by 2026 to evaluate expansion potential. (Note: The bill title "Continuing Budget Operations Part III" appears inconsistent with the actual content; the text focuses on child care workforce training.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $738k annually for child care workforce academies under budget appropriations, directly funding a public service program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill funds free training/stipends for child care workforce academies, directly supporting early education teacher development and access to licensed child care centers.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides free training, credentialing, and stipends to support entry into child care workforce, aligning with labor & employment development through workforce investment.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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