Environment (Coastal & Flood Protection)

died · North Carolina · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 1113: Shellfish Leasing Moratoria.

HB 1113 extends a ban on new shellfish and aquaculture leases in the New Hanover County area until July 1, 2026. This restriction applies to any lease applications received by the state but not approved before July 1, 2019, covering a specific coastal zone defined by geographic coordinates and landmarks. The bill also allocates $10,000 to fund public education and notifications about this extension. Finally, the law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and will govern how the Department of Environmental Quality reviews future lease requests.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends a moratorium on new shellfish leases to protect coastal resources and allow for environmental recovery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 977: Moratorium on New Coastal Fishing Regulations.

This bill establishes a temporary pause on new rules that would restrict commercial and recreational fishing in North Carolina's coastal waters. It directly affects fishermen, seafood businesses, and anglers by preventing state agencies from lowering catch limits, shortening seasons, closing fishing areas, or adding new reporting and gear restrictions. The legislation also stops any changes to existing harvest quotas and restores recreational fishing regulations to the standards that were in place on January 1, 2019. These measures remain in effect until the state completes a comprehensive study on its fisheries and reviews the findings. The only exceptions allow for regulatory changes required by federal laws or conditions attached to federal funding.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill imposes a moratorium on new regulations restricting fishing, preventing catch limits from being lowered or seasons shortened, which weakens environmental protections for coastal resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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died · North Carolina · Senate Jun 17, 2026

SB 1009: Repeal Hardened Structure Ban.

This bill removes the current prohibition on building hardened structures like seawalls and bulkheads along North Carolina's coast, allowing property owners and developers to construct them. Instead of an outright ban, the legislation requires the state Commission to create rules that permit these projects only if they do not cause significant harm to private property or public beaches, while also weighing the benefits of protecting homes and infrastructure. To support this change, the bill appropriates $850,000 for a university research group to update the state's coastal management plan, which will assess erosion risks and recommend maintenance schedules for inlets. The new regulations will take effect in September 2026, applying to any construction applications submitted on or after that date.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes a ban on hardened coastal structures, which typically weakens natural erosion defenses and prioritizes infrastructure over environmental conservation.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill permits construction of hardened structures like seawalls to protect homes and infrastructure from erosion, directly supporting housing preservation.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1187: Save Our Beaches.

This bill, titled "Save Our Beaches," stops a specific rule that would have allowed the use of wheat straw bales for sand fencing in North Carolina's ocean hazard areas. By disapproving this rule, the legislation ensures that beach restoration projects in these zones cannot rely on this particular type of temporary barrier. The change directly affects coastal management agencies and contractors who might have planned to use wheat straw bales for erosion control. Ultimately, the bill leaves the decision of which materials are permitted for sand fencing to existing regulations rather than the new wheat straw provision.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill blocks a rule allowing wheat straw bales for beach erosion control, potentially limiting coastal protection options and weakening environmental safeguards.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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signed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 2, 2025

SB 472: Coastal Regulatory Reform.

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.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines permits for energy/fuel infrastructure projects, advancing development and reducing bureaucratic delays for energy-related construction.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentStreamlines permits with automatic waivers for missed deadlines, reducing environmental review time and oversight for projects like energy infrastructure and dredging.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 253: Restore Down-Zoning/Farmland and Floodplain.

HB 253 restores Henderson County's authority to implement down-zoning (reducing development density or permitted land uses) with a key exception: it requires written consent from all affected property owners unless the down-zoning serves farmland preservation in agricultural districts or floodplain mitigation in FEMA-designated flood areas. The bill directly affects Henderson County property owners and local government officials, limiting down-zoning actions without consent except for these two specific purposes. It applies only to Henderson County, including its municipalities, and takes effect retroactively to December 11, 2024, to revert zoning changes made after that date under previous law. The bill defines "down-zoning" as decreasing density, reducing permitted uses, or creating nonconformities on land.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables down-zoning for farmland preservation (agricultural land conservation) and floodplain mitigation (disaster/emergency management), both environmental protections per subjects and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Jan 30, 2025

SB 19: Various Environmental Amendments.

This bill designates Jockey's Ridge in Dare County as an "area of environmental concern," requiring permits for removing over 10 cubic yards of sand annually and mandating that removed sand be deposited within Jockey's Ridge State Park. It also mandates public hearings and legislative consultation before the state grants easements for spoil disposal or dumping on state property. Additionally, the bill clarifies stormwater program rules by defining "built-upon area" to exclude artificial turf, specific stone surfaces, trails, and landscaping materials, reducing regulatory burdens for certain developments. These provisions directly affect state agencies, developers, and property owners managing coastal resources and stormwater systems.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates Jockey's Ridge as environmental concern, requires permits for sand removal, mandates sand deposition back in park, and adds public hearings for disposal projects - strengthening protections for natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Parks & Recreation Water Quality

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 496: Funds For Coastal Federation.

This bill appropriates $6.25 million in one-time funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and $1 million annually from 2025-2027 to the North Carolina Coastal Federation. The funds will directly support three coastal programs: a $1 million education center on Bogue Sound (matching private funds), a $5 million Living Shoreline Protection Program, and a $250,000 oyster shell recycling initiative. An additional $1 million yearly will fund a permanent program to remove abandoned vessels. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, with all funding directed to the Coastal Federation for specific environmental and community projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $6.25M one-time and $1M annual for coastal programs, directly advancing state budget allocation for environmental initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds coastal environmental programs including shoreline protection, oyster recycling, and vessel removal - directly supports conservation and pollution control as listed in subjects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds $1M annually to remove abandoned vessels (transportation-related program) and lists TRANSPORTATION as a subject, aligning with 'funds transportation projects' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Coastal & Flood Protection Recycling

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 590: Coastal Plain Resilience and Eco. Pros. Act.

SB 590, the Coastal Plain Resilience and Economic Prospects Act, appropriates over $2 billion in nonrecurring funds and additional recurring funds to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for environmental programs. The bill allocates $2 billion specifically for grants to public water and wastewater systems, along with funding for coastal resilience projects, flood risk reduction, dam safety studies, Superfund cleanups, and addressing contaminants like PFAS through dedicated staff positions. It also provides recurring funds for marine patrols, air quality monitoring, and technical assistance for businesses. The funding supports communities and infrastructure across North Carolina, with the bill becoming effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2 billion for environmental programs including water systems and coastal resilience, directly funding essential public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $2B for DEQ environmental programs including water systems, PFAS cleanup, Superfund, and coastal resilience projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Coastal & Flood Protection Drinking Water

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 713: Limit Local Gov't Environmental Rqmt's.

SB 713 prevents North Carolina local governments (like cities and counties) from creating environmental rules stricter than state or federal law. It requires local ordinances to align with existing state/federal standards, unless the General Assembly specifically authorizes exceptions. Local governments must update all environmental rules by December 1, 2025, to comply, or those rules become invalid. The bill does not affect requirements needed to meet federal permits or National Flood Insurance Program conditions.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill restricts local governments from setting stricter environmental rules than state/federal law, preventing stronger protections and weakening local environmental standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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