This bill creates a new fund within the North Carolina Department of Commerce to help high-skilled immigrant workers pay for the costs of keeping their legal work status, such as visa renewal fees and legal processing expenses. To qualify for reimbursement grants, individuals must live and work in North Carolina and meet specific criteria related to their education, job type, or visa classification. The state has allocated one million dollars in recurring funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover these grants and administrative costs. The Department of Commerce will be responsible for setting the rules for eligibility and managing the program.
This bill requires counties in North Carolina that completed a property reappraisal effective January 1, 2026, to temporarily pause using those new values for tax calculations. Instead, these counties must use the property values from their previous reappraisal for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and continue using the 2026 reappraisal values for all future years until a new general reappraisal is conducted. The legislation also clarifies the timeline for scheduling the next reappraisal and allows taxpayers to appeal property listings related to the 2026 reappraisal during the 2027 calendar year. Additionally, the bill updates qualifications and requirements for county assessors, mandating a $20 examination fee for certain candidates and requiring all assessors to complete 30 hours of continuing education every 24 months.
This bill expands the legal definition of an independent pharmacy in North Carolina to include community-based pharmacies owned by small groups with ten or fewer locations. The law specifically covers businesses that are not publicly traded and focus primarily on pharmacy services. Additionally, the legislation allocates $100,000 from the state's general fund to the Department of Insurance to help enforce these new rules starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
This bill creates a new grant program in North Carolina to fund public car and shuttle services in rural counties with low population density. Eligible recipients, such as counties and transit authorities, can use the funds to support commuter travel during peak hours or provide on-demand rides for medical appointments and grocery shopping during off-peak times. To receive funding, applicants must secure a local match of at least 50% and ensure that employers contribute a minimum of 20% for peak-hour commuter services. The program is financed by a $30 million appropriation from the Highway Fund and is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026.
This bill establishes the "NC Workforce Stability & Economic Protection Act" to monitor how federal immigration enforcement affects North Carolina's economy and businesses. It requires the state budget office to conduct an annual study on the financial impact of these operations, including tax revenue losses and supply chain disruptions, and mandates that employers notify workers within 72 hours if they receive a federal audit notice. Additionally, the Attorney General is authorized to oversee enforcement activities, create a public reporting portal for grievances, and publish an annual report on the effects on civil rights and commerce. The legislation also allocates $100,000 to fund the initial economic impact study and includes penalties for employers who fail to provide the required employee notifications.
HB 1093 allocates $3.1 million in state funding to the Museum of Life and Science in North Carolina for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money is designated to support the construction of the Mike Woodard Lab and a new exhibit called Living Tools, which will highlight the state's biotechnology achievements and encourage interest in science, technology, engineering, and math careers. This nonrecurring appropriation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and is managed through the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
This bill introduces a new 7% state income tax specifically on earnings that exceed $1 million. The revenue generated from this tax, after deducting administrative costs, will be sent directly to the Public School Fund to support local schools. The law applies to individual taxpayers and is scheduled to take effect for tax years starting on or after January 1, 2026.
This bill, known as the Fair Share for Public Schools Act, would introduce a new 7% income tax on individuals in North Carolina earning more than $1 million annually. The revenue generated from this tax, after deducting administrative costs, would be directed to the State Public School Fund to support local schools on a per-pupil basis. The law applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and is designed to provide additional funding for public education without altering existing tax rates for lower-income earners.
This bill increases the number of magistrates in Mecklenburg County from its current level to a total of 38.543.5 positions. To support this expansion, the state will allocate approximately $420,725 in funding starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to hire five new magistrates. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, allowing the county to expand its judicial workforce to handle local legal matters.
This bill allocates $100,000 in nonrecurring funds to the nonprofit organization Wakaboomee for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money is intended to expand the organization's statewide reach by providing science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics programming to rural and underserved communities in Johnston and Wayne Counties. The funds will be distributed through a grant managed by the Office of State Budget and Management, with the legislation taking effect on July 1, 2026.
