HB 1207 establishes a state grant program to help North Carolina municipalities prepare for and respond to winter snow and ice events. The bill allows local governments to receive up to 75% reimbursement for purchasing snow removal equipment, hiring private contractors, and covering operational costs like fuel and staffing, provided they also contract with private companies within the state. To ensure accountability and transparency, the program requires all funded vehicles to be equipped with cameras and GPS trackers, and participating municipalities must publish a real-time map showing their snow clearing progress. The legislation appropriates $20 million for initial equipment purchases, $10 million for ongoing operational costs, and $5 million to create a reserve of salt and brine for distribution to local areas in need.
This bill establishes an Interstate Compact for School Psychologists in North Carolina, allowing licensed professionals to practice in other participating states without facing repetitive licensing requirements. The legislation creates a commission to oversee the agreement and defines specific rules for mobility, including provisions for military families and standards for professional conduct. Additionally, the bill allocates funds to support a virtual training program for school psychologists. By streamlining the licensure process, the measure aims to increase the availability of qualified mental health services in schools across member states.
This bill grants the City of Winston-Salem the authority to exempt or reduce system development fees for affordable housing projects. Under the new rules, the city must establish its own specific criteria to determine which developments qualify for these financial incentives. The legislation applies only to Winston-Salem and allows the local government to lower costs for water or sewer services for qualifying affordable housing builders.
This North Carolina joint resolution urges the U.S. Congress to eliminate the United States Department of Education by returning control of education to the states. The bill argues that federal involvement has led to excessive regulations and mandates without improving student reading scores, asserting that states are better equipped to handle education based on local needs. It also states that removing the department would not stop federal funding programs from reaching states but would instead allow taxpayer dollars to be used more efficiently. As a non-binding resolution, it does not directly change laws or allocate funds but serves as a formal statement of support for federal efforts to abolish the department.
HB 1036 directs $1.7 million in state funds to Caswell County to help replace the Casville Volunteer Fire Department's facility. The money will be given as a one-time grant specifically for this construction project and will become available on July 1, 2026. This legislation affects the Caswell County government and the volunteer firefighters who use the current building.
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Public Safety
This North Carolina bill aims to address teacher shortages by increasing salaries and creating new financial support for educators. It establishes a new monthly salary schedule for teachers starting in the 2026-2027 school year and reinstates specific pay bonuses for those with advanced degrees or professional certifications. Additionally, the legislation creates a grant program to help student teachers earn money while completing their training and directs a state study on how to further improve educator pay.
SB 1045, titled the Utility Profit Oversight Act, requires the North Carolina General Assembly to explicitly approve any proposed electric utility rate increases that would raise the utility's authorized return on equity. Under this bill, the Public Service Commission must immediately suspend such rate changes until the legislature passes a specific act ratifying them, ensuring that significant profit increases receive direct legislative oversight. The legislation also mandates a study by the Commission to evaluate the cost of equity capital for electric utilities in the state. By shifting the approval power for these specific financial adjustments from the regulatory commission to the state legislature, the bill aims to add a layer of political accountability to utility pricing decisions.
SB 946, titled the Keep Our Schools Standing Bond Act of 2026, proposes to issue up to $50 billion in state bonds to fund public school construction, repairs, renovations, and security improvements in North Carolina. The funds would be distributed as grants to counties through the Department of Public Instruction, while excluding expenses for salaries, trailers, and administrative buildings. This legislation requires approval from North Carolina voters via a special election before the State Treasurer can issue the bonds.
SB 821 removes a specific property at 86 Magellan Drive from the official boundaries of the Town of Waynesville. The bill ensures that any unpaid taxes or special assessments on this land before the change remain valid and can still be collected. Starting July 1, 2026, the property will no longer be subject to municipal taxes imposed by the town.
This bill repeals a previous law that expanded cooperation between local jails and federal immigration enforcement and instead requires federal agents to obtain a judicial warrant based on probable cause before making immigration arrests or conducting searches within North Carolina. It also prohibits state and local facilities from holding individuals solely on federal immigration detainers past their normal release date and directs $4 million in funding to four nonprofit organizations to provide legal services for immigrants facing removal proceedings, asylum claims, and status stabilization. By mandating judicial oversight for enforcement actions and supporting community-based legal aid, the legislation aims to limit warrantless civil immigration operations while maintaining cooperation for valid criminal warrants.
