Environment

HB 747 updates North Carolina's wildlife laws with three key changes. It requires the Wildlife Resources Commission to keep personal information (like addresses and email) and details about rare species habitats confidential to prevent harm or theft. The bill also creates two new license plates - “Wildlife Resources” (requiring 300+ applications before development) and “Lifetime Conservationist” - with sales revenue funding conservation accounts. Additionally, it shortens the out-of-state boat number reciprocity period from 90 to 60 days and adds safety rules for personal watercraft, including mandatory Coast Guard-approved life jackets and restrictions on close following. These changes affect the Commission, vehicle owners, and boaters, effective October 1, 2025.

SB 472 streamlines water quality permit reviews for specific projects in North Carolina, directly affecting developers of upland basin marinas, energy/fuel infrastructure, and maintenance dredging projects funded by certain state programs. It sets strict deadlines for the Department of Environmental Quality: requiring fee notifications within 5 business days, completeness reviews within 30 days, and final decisions within 10-15 days (or automatically waiving certification if deadlines are missed). The bill also clarifies that certain man-made ditches and upland basin marinas are not subject to coastal management regulations. These changes aim to accelerate project approvals while maintaining existing water quality standards. The bill is pending review and would take effect October 1, 2025.