HB 290 appropriates $545,588 in state funds to the Town of Pineville for a pedestrian hybrid beacon and crosswalk at Hwy 51 and Main St. near Town Hall. The bill directly affects Pineville residents and pedestrians by funding a safety infrastructure project to improve crossing conditions at this specific location. Key provisions include allocating nonrecurring state funds for construction, with the project aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and walkability in the town. The bill requires no new policy changes but provides targeted financial support for a local infrastructure improvement. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, pending legislative approval.
HB 327 appropriates $16.564 million in one-time state funds to the Town of Hope Mills for specific capital projects. The bill directs $13.134 million toward building a new community center and $3.43 million to redesign and renovate the Hope Mills Senior Center to meet accessibility standards (ADA compliance). These funds are allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and become effective July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects Hope Mills residents through their local government, which will manage the construction and renovation work.
HB 319 appropriates $500,000 from the state General Fund to Hispanic Grassroots, a nonprofit organization serving North Carolina's Hispanic community. The funds will support its existing education outreach programs, including scholarship assistance for private school choices, small business development, healthcare education, and civics classes to help residents navigate government services. This one-time grant, effective July 1, 2025, directly benefits Hispanic Grassroots' current services for Hispanic residents across the state. The bill does not create new programs but provides targeted funding for established community initiatives.
HB 316 reenacts North Carolina's Child Tax Credit to help families cover child care costs, with reimbursement percentages based on income and child age (e.g., 7-13% for dependents aged 6-12). It allocates $200 million annually to expand the NC Pre-K program, adding 32,000 slots for 4-year-olds, and $35 million to increase subsidized child care funding. The bill also requires public schools to provide free lunches at no cost to students through state funding tied to school nutrition evaluations. Additionally, it mandates a report on creating a high school child care apprenticeship program. The bill directly affects families with children, public schools, and child care providers across North Carolina.
HB 359 appropriates $2 million from the state General Fund to the City of Jacksonville for water and wastewater infrastructure projects during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds are a one-time allocation specifically for the city’s water and sewer system improvements, directly affecting Jacksonville residents and local infrastructure. The bill requires the city to use the funds exclusively for these projects and takes effect on July 1, 2025. This is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes beyond the financial allocation.
SB 277 appropriates $750,000 annually from the state general fund to the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) program for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds aim to improve recruitment, training, and retention of medical students and healthcare professionals in rural North Carolina. Key mechanisms include requiring NC AHEC to regularly convene stakeholders to share best practices and create a public database of this shared information. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, directly supporting rural healthcare workforce development.
HB 374 allocates $3.95 million to fund a financial assistance program for small local governments through the North Carolina Association of Regional Councils of Governments (NCARCOG). It directs NCARCOG to hire 32 additional finance professionals to help small towns and public authorities with financial compliance, prioritizing those with limited resources on the State Treasurer’s assistance list. The bill also provides $3.9 million for NCARCOG to develop a disaster response plan, including training for local financial administration, assistance with federal disaster funds, and infrastructure repair support. These funds, effective July 1, 2025, aim to improve financial management and disaster resilience for smaller communities across North Carolina.
HB 343 appropriates $380,000 for 2025-26 and $397,000 for 2026-27 to create four full-time ombudsman positions within North Carolina’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. This directly affects residents of nursing homes, adult care homes, and family care homes by enhancing advocacy for their rights and care quality. The bill’s key provision funds staff to move the state’s program toward national standards for resolving facility issues without formal complaints. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, with no advocacy language - only a concrete funding mechanism for expanded protections.
HB 392 appropriates $250,000 in one-time state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to The United Way of Forsyth County, Inc., to fund summer learning programs for students in Forsyth County who would otherwise not have access to such programs through their local school system. The United Way will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to contract with community agencies offering these programs, either extending existing services or partnering with vetted new organizations. This bill directly affects eligible Forsyth County students and community agencies providing summer learning support, with funds becoming available July 1, 2025. The legislation focuses on creating a structured grant process to expand educational opportunities during summer months.
HB 404, the Fair and Affordable Housing Act, requires the Legislative Research Commission to study affordable housing availability across North Carolina - including rural and urban areas - and report findings to the 2026 General Assembly. The bill prohibits housing discrimination based on "source of income" (such as government housing vouchers, disability benefits, or rental assistance), making it illegal for landlords to refuse tenants using these payments. It also appropriates $45 million from the General Fund to the Housing Trust Fund for affordable housing development and bans credit reporting agencies from listing eviction lawsuits that don’t result in a landlord judgment. These changes directly affect renters (especially those using government assistance), landlords, housing providers, and credit agencies in North Carolina.
