Budget & Taxes

in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 27, 2025

HB 544: Tax Credit for Rehabilitated Corporate Campus.

HB 544 creates a 40% state tax credit for businesses that spend at least $10 million rehabilitating eligible historic corporate campuses in North Carolina. To qualify, properties must be certified historic sites (listed on the National Register and locally designated), formerly served as corporate headquarters, occupy at least 20 acres, have an 80% vacancy rate for two years, and meet preservation requirements. The credit applies to rehabilitation costs incurred on or after January 1, 2026, and is tied to federal credit eligibility. This policy directly affects businesses planning major renovations of qualifying historic corporate properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 40% tax credit for corporate rehab, directly advancing tax policy through targeted relief for qualifying businesses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 97: Support Firefighters Fighting Cancer.

SB 97 adds stomach cancer (gastric cancer) to the list of cancers presumed to be work-related for firefighters under North Carolina's Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act. This means firefighters who die from stomach cancer will automatically qualify for line-of-duty death benefits without needing to prove occupational connection. The bill appropriates $500,000 annually from 2025-2027 to cover these new benefits. It takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to qualifying deaths occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $500,000 annually (2025-2027) to fund new line-of-duty death benefits for firefighters with stomach cancer, directly increasing state budget allocation for public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands death benefits for firefighters with stomach cancer by presuming work connection, directly strengthening worker benefit protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 27, 2025

HB 539: Revenue Neutral Rate Required.

HB 539 requires North Carolina local governments (like counties and cities) to set property tax rates at a revenue-neutral level following a general property reappraisal. Specifically, it mandates that tax rates for the year after a reappraisal must produce the same total revenue as the previous year, preventing increased tax revenue simply due to higher property values. This applies directly to local governments conducting a general reappraisal, ensuring their tax rates don't automatically rise when property values change. The bill amends existing law to enforce this requirement in the budget ordinance adopted after a reappraisal. It does not change tax rates for years without a reappraisal.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates revenue-neutral property tax rates after reappraisal, preventing automatic tax increases and promoting fiscal responsibility in local budgeting.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 27, 2025

HB 533: Various Public Projects in Chatham County/Funds.

HB 533 allocates state funds for specific infrastructure projects in Siler City and Pittsboro. It provides $2.45 million for Siler City’s downtown streetscape (including underground power lines and wider sidewalks), $10.4 million for a new recreation facility and field improvements, and $5 million for a new fire station. Pittsboro receives $10 million for a new fire station, ladder truck, and fire engine. These funds, designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, directly support public infrastructure improvements in both towns.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.45M-$10.4M in state funds for public infrastructure projects, directly advancing budgetary appropriations for county services and facilities per bill's funding specifics.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $2.45M for Siler City downtown streetscape (including sidewalks/pedestrian paths), directly funding transportation infrastructure per bill subjects and summary.95% confidence

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 554: Revenue Laws Technical Changes/Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Changes/Peer-to-Peer Tax Parity.

HB 554 makes technical adjustments to North Carolina's tax code to align with federal rules and expand tax parity for peer-to-peer car rentals. It modifies how S corporation losses are deducted, restricts certain net operating loss deductions (like capital gains carryforwards), and updates estate/trust tax calculations. The bill specifically adds peer-to-peer car rental services to the alternate highway use tax, requiring them to pay the same tax as traditional rental companies. These changes affect individual taxpayers, S corporations, estates, trusts, and peer-to-peer car rental businesses, with most provisions effective for tax years beginning in 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill closes tax loopholes by restricting net operating loss deductions and expands tax parity for peer-to-peer rentals, aligning with federal rules to strengthen tax collection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 564: State Retirees Cost-of-Living Increase/Funds.

HB 564 provides a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for retirees in North Carolina's Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System, Consolidated Judicial Retirement System, and Legislative Retirement System. It increases retirement payments for retirees who retired on or before specific dates (July 1, 2024, for most systems, or January 1, 2025, for the Legislative system) and offers a prorated increase for those retiring between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The bill appropriates $106.2 million from the General Fund to fund this adjustment, effective July 1, 2025. This policy change directly affects current retirees in these systems by increasing their monthly benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $106.2M for retiree cost-of-living increases, directly funding a state budget obligation for retirement benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 582: Providing Relief to Impacted Families Act.

HB 582, titled "Providing Relief to Impacted Families Act," creates a quarterly tax refund program for specific nonprofits using motor fuel. It directly affects eligible organizations like volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, sheltered workshops (recognized by DHHS), and nonprofits distributing free food, by refunding the excise tax paid on fuel minus one cent per gallon. The key provision requires these nonprofits to claim refunds quarterly based on prior quarter purchases, reducing their operational costs. The bill does not address family relief as implied by its title but focuses solely on tax refunds for qualifying nonprofit entities. The measure is currently pending in the House Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRefunds excise tax for nonprofits serving vulnerable populations, providing direct tax relief to eligible organizations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 611: Increase Assistant Principals in Public Schools.

HB 611 requires North Carolina public schools to increase full-time assistant principal positions based on student enrollment, directly affecting all local school districts. It mandates funding to achieve specific student-to-assistant-principal ratios: 1:90 students in the 2025-2026 school year ($23.56 million) and 1:80 students starting in 2026-2027 ($57.57 million), with funds supplementing but not replacing existing budgets. The bill, effective July 2025, directs the Department of Public Instruction to allocate these funds through the school building administration allotment. This policy change aims to support school operations and develop future principals by expanding administrative staffing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $23.56M (2025-26) and $57.57M (2026-27) in state appropriations for school staffing, directly increasing public education budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates increased assistant principal staffing ratios with dedicated supplemental funding ($23.56M and $57.57M), directly advancing school administration and resource allocation for K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget K-12 Education School Funding School Safety

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 604: Rural and Downtown Community Economic Development Grants.

HB 604 creates two grant programs to support economic development: the Rural Community Development Grant Program and the Downtown Revitalization Grant Program. Both programs allocate $40 million each from the state budget for 2025-2026, providing grants to local governments (counties and municipalities) to fund projects that improve community amenities like grocery stores, childcare, parks, or downtown infrastructure. Grants require a 1:1 local match, max $2 million per award, and must align with comprehensive plans for revitalization or community growth. The programs aim to reverse rural depopulation, attract business investment, and enhance downtown livability through targeted, competitive funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $80M from state budget for community grants, requiring local matches - directly funds economic development programs per budget allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development Rural Communities Urban Areas

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 617: Supporting Small Farmers for NC's Future Act.

HB 617 creates a $20 million grant program for North Carolina small farmers with gross income under $300,000, funding equipment (like harvest machinery), infrastructure (such as fencing), and cold storage. It also lowers the income threshold for farm sales tax exemption from $10,000 to $7,500 annually, expanding eligibility for tax relief. The bill directly affects small farmers meeting these income criteria by providing financial support through grants and reduced tax burdens. Grants require applications and prioritize those facing economic hardship, with funding allocated for specific purposes like equipment and the FarmsSHARE program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $20M grant program for small farmers and lowers sales tax exemption threshold, providing direct fiscal support and tax relief for qualifying low-income farmers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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