Budget & Taxes

in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1153: Budgeting Accountability and Transparency.

HB 1153 aims to increase transparency in North Carolina's state budget process by requiring more public involvement before final budget votes. The bill mandates that the General Assembly hold at least one public hearing and three committee meetings while also providing a week for citizens to submit comments online. Additionally, it makes requests for funding from state agencies and legislators public records once the budget is enacted, though it preserves legal protections for attorney-client communications. To support these new requirements, the legislation allocates $250,000 annually to the Legislative Services Commission for maintaining the online comment portal and covering hearing expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enhances budget transparency and public accountability, promoting fiscal responsibility and informed decision-making.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability State Budget Tags Government Transparency

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 900: Small Business Investment Grant.

This North Carolina bill establishes the COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Program to provide financial assistance to small businesses that suffered significant economic losses due to the pandemic. To qualify, a business must have had annual receipts of $8 million or less in 2019 and experienced at least a 25% drop in sales tax collections in 2020 compared to 2019. The program offers one-time grants of up to $250,000, with the total funding capped at $250 million, and requires recipients to keep their operations running for six months to avoid having to repay a portion of the grant.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $250M in grants to small businesses, directly increasing funding for economic recovery programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tags Small Business

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 872: Education Center at Harnett Correctional.

SB 872 allocates $30 million from the state's General Fund to build an education center at Harnett Correctional Institution in North Carolina. The funds will support specific programs for offenders, including the Sexual Offender Accountability and Responsibility Program, four-year degrees with Campbell University and Fayetteville State University, and shorter certifications or degrees with Central Carolina Community College. This legislation directly affects the Department of Adult Correction and the incarcerated population at Harnett Correctional Institution by authorizing the construction and programming of the new facility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $30M from the General Fund to build an education center, directly funding essential correctional education programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds education and rehabilitation programs for inmates, directly reducing recidivism and strengthening the correctional system.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $30M to build an education center and fund degrees/certifications for inmates, expanding educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1172: The Ciji Graham Act.

HB 1172, known as the Ciji Graham Act, establishes a High-Risk Pregnancy Care Navigation Program in North Carolina to assist patients with high-risk pregnancies by providing licensed nurse consultants who help coordinate care and address access barriers. The bill also creates a statewide pregnancy consultation hotline for healthcare providers and community organizations to offer real-time clinical guidance and referrals, alongside a centralized digital hub containing clinical guidelines and provider directories. Funded through the state's General Fund starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, these measures aim to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities by ensuring timely access to specialized care and resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a funded program for high-risk pregnancy care, indicating increased appropriations for public health services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a High-Risk Pregnancy Care Navigation Program to improve patient access and coordinate care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Healthcare Workforce Women's Health

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1202: First Responder Training Track.

HB 1202 allocates $6.1 million in state funds to Forsyth Technical Community College to create a law enforcement driving training center in King, North Carolina. This facility will feature a driving pad, roadway, and instructional building designed to support basic law enforcement training and ongoing education for police officers. The project is a partnership between the college and the City of Winston-Salem, with funding designated for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $6.1 million in state funds to fund a law enforcement training center, directly strengthening fiscal support for public safety education.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates funds to create a law enforcement training center, enhancing officer education and operational readiness.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $6.1M to a community college for a law enforcement training center, directly funding higher education infrastructure and professional development.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds a specialized driving training center for law enforcement, enhancing vehicle safety and operational skills for drivers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Higher Education Roads & Highways Tags Public Safety

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 955: Permit Self-Defense Devices on College Campus.

This bill allows adults aged 18 and older to carry self-defense devices, such as pepper spray, tasers, and ordinary pocket knives, on the property of North Carolina colleges and universities. It creates an exception to state laws that typically restrict carrying concealed weapons on school grounds, explicitly permitting students, staff, and visitors to possess these items for self-defense. Additionally, the legislation allocates $10,000 to fund public awareness campaigns informing the campus community about this new permission. The changes will take effect in July 2026, with the advertising funds available for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $10,000 to fund public awareness campaigns, directly supporting the appropriations and budgeting topic.80% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill permits self-defense devices on campus, enhancing personal safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals by protecting civil rights and reducing vulnerability to crime.75% confidence

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 854: Tier One County Assistance.

This bill, known as the Economic Empowerment for Tier One Counties Act, allocates $400 million from the state's General Fund to support specific counties in North Carolina designated as "development tier one areas." The Department of Commerce will distribute these funds as grants to eligible counties for projects focused on self-sufficiency, infrastructure improvements, education, or workforce development, with no single county able to receive more than $10 million. To receive funding, counties must submit a proposal detailing their plans, which the Department must approve before any money is released, and counties must submit annual reports on how they use the funds. The legislation also includes a provision requiring counties to repay any grants they receive if they are later found to be ineligible.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $400M from General Fund to counties for infrastructure, education, and workforce development, directly strengthening state budgeting and funding essential programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates funds for infrastructure improvements in counties, which may include transportation projects, though not explicitly specified.50% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 861: Cut State Gov. Jobs Vacant 24 Months or More.

This North Carolina bill requires state agencies to eliminate job positions that have remained vacant for at least 24 consecutive months, with the goal of reducing government spending on unfilled roles. Starting in July 2026, the Office of State Budget and Management will transfer unused salary funds associated with these long-term vacancies into a budget reserve, which cannot be spent unless the General Assembly approves it. The law includes specific exceptions, such as positions held open due to court orders, roles funded entirely by federal money, and critical jobs in 24-hour operations like public safety and inmate care. Additionally, the bill mandates that state agencies report details about eliminated or excluded positions to the General Assembly by December 2026 and establishes a permanent rule for abolishing such vacancies in future fiscal years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates elimination of long-term vacant positions and transfers unused funds to a reserve, directly promoting fiscal responsibility and reducing government spending.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1147: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Omnibus.

This bill aims to improve support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in North Carolina through three main changes. It mandates a minimum wage increase of $18 per hour for direct care workers by raising Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers and facilities, with funds appropriated starting in fiscal year 2026-2027. Additionally, the legislation adds at least 1,000 slots to the state's Medicaid waiver program and requires the creation of a ten-year plan to address unmet service needs. Finally, it seeks to remove income and asset limits for the state's Medicaid buy-in program for workers with disabilities, allowing more individuals to qualify for coverage regardless of their earnings or savings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds to increase Medicaid reimbursement and wages for direct care workers, directly advancing budget allocation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates to raise direct care worker wages and expands Medicaid waiver slots, directly strengthening healthcare access and funding.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates a minimum wage increase of $18/hour for direct care workers, directly advancing worker compensation standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Minimum Wage

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1183: Defend NC.

HB 1183, titled 'Defend NC,' prohibits North Carolina law enforcement agencies and officers from assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in arrests or serving removal warrants. The bill also directs state agencies to explore alternatives for health and education funding lost due to federal cuts and mandates a study to potentially create a new state health research institute. Additionally, it temporarily exempts certain tariff-affected goods from sales tax in 2026 and includes general statements of intent to protect Medicaid eligibility and uphold federal promises to North Carolinians.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary sales tax exemptions for tariff-affected goods and directs agencies to find funding alternatives for federal cuts, protecting state revenue and services.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts law enforcement assistance in immigration arrests, protecting civil rights and limiting federal overreach in criminal justice.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates a study to create a new state health research institute and directs agencies to explore alternatives for health funding lost due to federal cuts.75% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prohibits state law enforcement from assisting federal immigration arrests, directly limiting cooperation and protecting immigrant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Law Enforcement Medicaid Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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