Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

in committee · North Carolina · House May 13, 2026

HB 1154: Expand the FarmSHARE Food Hub Program.

This bill allocates $6 million in state funds to expand two food assistance programs in North Carolina for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The first $4 million supports FarmSHARE, which provides grants to buy locally grown food and distribute it for free to food-insecure individuals and households. The second $2 million funds the Double Up Food Bucks Program, allowing people receiving nutrition assistance to use their benefits to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets and other local retailers. Both programs require the state department to submit annual reports detailing participation numbers, distribution metrics, and financial data to legislative oversight committees. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $6M in state funds to expand food assistance programs, directly increasing funding for public services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1034: Fund Drug Treatment/Mental Health Courts.

This North Carolina bill allocates $4.2 million in recurring state funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support local courts that handle cases involving substance use and mental health issues. The money is designated for the Administrative Office of the Courts to establish and maintain judicially managed accountability and recovery courts, which are designed to help defendants diagnosed with alcoholism, substance use disorders, or mental health conditions. These courts will operate by creating personalized treatment plans for participants and monitoring their progress while they remain involved in the criminal justice system. The funding applies to both new and existing programs that fall under specific state statutes governing these specialized courts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $4.2M in recurring state funds to support drug treatment and mental health courts, directly increasing funding for public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates funding to establish courts for substance use and mental health, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $4.2M to fund drug treatment and mental health courts, directly advancing healthcare access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 873: Innovations Waiver Tiers.

This North Carolina bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create a three-tiered program for individuals waiting for the state's Innovations waiver. The proposed plan would offer three levels of financial assistance: a benefit capped at $25,000, one capped at $75,000, and a full waiver benefit, with the specific details to be determined through consultation with local managed care organizations and other stakeholders. To fund the initial development of this plan, the legislation appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Additionally, the bill requires a report on the final plan to be submitted to several legislative committees by December 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs creation of a tiered financial assistance program for Medicaid waiver recipients, increasing funding for essential health services.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a tiered financial assistance program to fund Innovations waiver benefits, directly expanding access and funding for individuals with developmental disabilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 959: Study Student Loan Forgiveness Program/SEAA.

This bill directs the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority to conduct a feasibility study on creating a student loan forgiveness program for graduates of public colleges and universities in the state. The study will evaluate the costs, eligibility requirements, and potential economic benefits of offering debt relief to encourage graduates to remain in North Carolina after graduation. To fund this analysis, the bill appropriates $150,000 from the state's General Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The Authority must complete the study and submit a report with recommendations to the legislature by October 1, 2027. The bill does not establish a forgiveness program itself but rather authorizes a review to determine if such a program is viable.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to study a student loan forgiveness program, directly advancing budget allocation for education assistance.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill funds a study to create a student loan forgiveness program, aiming to improve higher education access and retention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Student Financial Aid

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 870: Funds for Veterans/HBOT.

This bill appropriates $3 million from the state's General Fund to provide free hyperbaric oxygen therapy to North Carolina veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury or posttraumatic stress disorder. The funding is directed to a nonprofit organization called HBOT 4 HEROES, which will administer the treatment, manage the program, and conduct outcome assessments for an estimated 350 veterans. The act requires the organization to submit a detailed report to state oversight committees by June 30, 2027, covering the number of patients served, their locations, and how the funds were spent. These changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $3M from the General Fund to fund free hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans, directly increasing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $3M to fund free hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans, expanding access to critical health services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allocates $3M to provide free hyperbaric oxygen therapy to veterans with TBI or PTSD, directly expanding healthcare benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 925: Cure Violence Program Grant.

This bill allocates one million dollars from the state's General Fund to Forsyth County in the Triad region for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are designated as a nonrecurring grant specifically to support the Cure Violence program, which aims to reduce violence in the area. The legislation overrides a previous spending restriction to allow this specific appropriation and is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $1M from the General Fund to support the Cure Violence program, directly advancing state budget appropriations for public safety and social services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds the Cure Violence program to reduce violence, directly supporting criminal justice reform and community safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 903: Public Employees Deserve A Voice Act.

This bill repeals a North Carolina law that currently bans public employees from collectively bargaining with their employers. By removing this prohibition, the legislation allows government workers to negotiate contracts with unions or labor organizations representing them. The act also allocates $100,000 from the state General Fund to educate public employees about these new rights starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $100,000 from the state General Fund to educate public employees about new collective bargaining rights, directly advancing fiscal management and appropriations.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes prohibition on collective bargaining for public employees, directly advancing workers' rights and union organizing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 800: Zero-Based Budgeting.

This bill requires North Carolina state agencies to use zero-based budgeting on a rotating eight-year schedule starting in 2026. Under this method, agencies must justify every dollar of spending from scratch by listing specific activities, their legal basis, and the costs needed to maintain minimum or current service levels, rather than simply adjusting previous budgets. The Office of State Budget and Management will provide technical assistance to agencies as they prepare these plans, which must include data on program outcomes and the potential negative impacts of discontinuing any activity. Funding of $10,000 is allocated to the budget office to support the administration of this new requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates zero-based budgeting to improve fiscal management and accountability, aligning with the indicator of promoting fiscal responsibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1063: Fiscal Note for All Bills Considered.

This bill requires the North Carolina General Assembly to attach a fiscal note to every piece of legislation before it is considered, ensuring lawmakers understand the financial impact of their proposals. The Fiscal Research Division must prepare these notes to estimate costs for the first five years, with specific requirements for new state buildings, programs, and laws that increase incarceration. Bills proposing changes that could lead to more people being incarcerated or staying in prison longer must include a detailed cost analysis prepared in consultation with the Sentencing Policy and Advisory Commission. The legislation also mandates that these fiscal notes be separate documents that do not express legislative intent, while providing $50,000 in funding to cover the administrative costs of implementing this new requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates fiscal notes to ensure lawmakers understand financial impacts, promoting fiscal responsibility and budget transparency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 922: Fund International Black Theatre Festival.

This bill allocates $200,000 from the state's General Fund to the City of Winston-Salem to help plan and operate the International Black Theatre Festival in 2026. The money is designated for nonrecurring expenses related to cultural programming and festival operations during July and August of that year. The funding becomes available on July 1, 2026, and is intended to support the event held in Winston-Salem.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $200,000 from the state General Fund to fund a cultural festival, directly advancing the appropriations and budgeting topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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