SB 596 appropriates $169 million from the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund to North Carolina Central University for critical campus repairs. The funds are allocated as $100 million for HVAC, fire safety, and building code upgrades; $9 million for roof and structural repairs; and $60 million for replacing aging electrical, water, and steam infrastructure. These repairs directly address immediate safety risks and system failures affecting the university's campus operations and facilities. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, with funding designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
SB 157 allocates $100,000 from North Carolina's General Fund to Johnson C. Smith University for its Inclusive Tech-Innovation Pilot Project. The funds will support creating a community hub that uses broadband technology to foster economic growth and collaboration in the local area. The bill directs a nonrecurring grant specifically for this pilot program, which aims to connect the university with surrounding neighborhoods. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not change existing laws or regulations.
SB 567 adjusts Medicaid reimbursement rates for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services in North Carolina. It increases daily rates for outpatient programs (e.g., $255.28 for level 2.1 care) and establishes new coverage for residential treatment levels (e.g., $350/day for level 3.1), with higher rates for medically monitored services like detox ($756.65/day). The bill appropriates $15 million annually from the state General Fund to cover these rate changes, matching $27.4 million in federal funds for the 2025-2027 biennium. These changes directly affect Medicaid-certified SUD treatment providers by increasing their reimbursement rates for specific service levels, effective July 1, 2025.
SB 76 appropriates $300,000 from North Carolina's General Fund to the Franklinton Center at Bricks, Inc., for its operating expenses and capital improvements during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds are designated as a nonrecurring grant to support the organization's operations and physical improvements. This bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and directly affects the Franklinton Center at Bricks, Inc., by providing financial support for its ongoing activities.
SB 109, the Veterans Appreciation Act, increases property tax relief for disabled veterans in North Carolina by expanding the homestead exclusion to cover the value increase from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) housing grants. It directly affects disabled veterans who receive VA housing grants for service-connected disabilities, allowing them to exclude up to $45,000 of their home’s appraised value plus grant-funded improvements from property taxes. The bill adds a prequalification process, letting veterans apply in advance of purchasing a home to confirm eligibility, with county assessors required to notify applicants within 30 days. This change takes effect for property taxes on homes owned after July 1, 2025.
HB 48 raises North Carolina's maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $350 to $400 for claimants filing on or after March 2, 2025, directly affecting unemployed workers. It also creates a 2025 tax credit for employers, allowing them to offset unemployment insurance taxes paid on 2024 fourth-quarter wages against their 2025 tax liability. The credit applies only to contributions remitted by January 31, 2025, and must be claimed via a specific report. The bill ratifies a governor's temporary disaster-related unemployment expansion but focuses on permanent changes to benefit levels and employer tax treatment.
SB 140 appropriates $75,000 in one-time state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to provide a directed grant to My Brother's Keeper of Charlotte, a nonprofit organization. The funds are intended to support programs specifically designed to improve outcomes for boys and young men of color in Charlotte. This bill directs state resources to a targeted community initiative through a nonrecurring grant, without creating new state regulations or altering existing laws. The legislation becomes effective July 1, 2025, if enacted.
SB 197 appropriates $3.5 million in one-time state funding from the General Fund for the renovation of the Smith Reynolds Airport Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hangar in Forsyth County. The bill specifies the funds must cover structural repairs, HVAC upgrades, and infrastructure improvements at the hangar facility. It requires the Department of Transportation to submit quarterly reports on fund usage to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee and Fiscal Research Division. The funding is allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 182 appropriates $22 million in nonrecurring state funds from the General Fund to the City of Conover for water and sewer system improvements during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill directly affects Conover residents and local infrastructure by providing funding for necessary upgrades to the city's water and wastewater systems. The key provision is the allocation of specific funds for these infrastructure projects, with the bill becoming effective on July 1, 2025. This is a straightforward funding measure with no additional regulatory requirements or new obligations beyond the financial allocation.
SB 188 appropriates $450,000 annually from the General Fund for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to fund North Carolina for Military Employment (NC4ME) programs. It directly supports veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses through employer training, military-specific job fairs, and employment outreach for spouses. The bill requires NC4ME to submit annual reports detailing fund usage, participants served, and employment outcomes to the Department of Commerce and the legislative oversight committee. This funding aims to strengthen veteran workforce integration and employer partnerships, effective July 1, 2025.
