This bill requires North Carolina's Department of Information Technology to offer advisory and consultation services to state agencies that are currently exempt from its standard IT programs. To support this new requirement, the legislation appropriates $50,000 to create an interagency liaison network and takes effect on July 1, 2026. The law does not change the existing list of exempt agencies but ensures they can still access guidance on IT activities if they request it.
This bill allocates $2.7 million from the Highway Fund to North Carolina's Department of Transportation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are designated to purchase and install traffic signal preemption technology, which enables emergency vehicles to communicate with traffic lights to change signals in their favor. This system aims to reduce response times for first responders and enhance safety at intersections by prioritizing their passage. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, and directly impacts the state's transportation infrastructure and emergency services.
This bill appropriates $2.7 million from the Highway Fund to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funding is intended to install traffic signal preemption technology that allows traffic lights to change automatically when emergency vehicles approach an intersection. This system prioritizes first responder vehicles to reduce response times and improve safety at intersections. The act becomes effective on July 1, 2026.
This North Carolina legislation prohibits businesses from using personal data to set individualized prices for essential goods and services such as food, water, and hygiene products. The law defines the banned practice as using automated systems to collect information like browsing history or income to vary prices for different customers within the same day. Exceptions are allowed for loyalty discounts, shipping costs, and group-specific rates for categories like seniors or military personnel. Violations will be treated as unfair trade practices, and state funding has been allocated to support enforcement and public education beginning in October 2026.
This North Carolina bill creates a joint program for the Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Management Commission to use artificial intelligence tools when drafting and reviewing environmental permits. While the law encourages using AI to speed up routine tasks, it requires human staff to independently review and modify any AI-generated work before finalizing a permit decision. The legislation mandates transparency by requiring the department to publish details about the AI systems used and to inform applicants when AI assists in their permit processing. Additionally, the bill sets specific rules for data security and prohibits using applicant information to train third-party AI models without state authorization.
This bill establishes the Free to Learn Library Bill of Rights Act in North Carolina to protect residents' rights to access information, maintain privacy, and participate in library services without discrimination or undue restriction. It applies to all public libraries, including their online services and digital resources, and outlines specific rights such as unrestricted access to materials regardless of viewpoint, protection from surveillance and intimidation, confidentiality of library records, and fair access for all patrons regardless of personal characteristics. The legislation also includes anti-retaliation protections for library employees and volunteers who report violations, requires regional library systems to document compliance, and mandates strict data privacy practices for online usage tracking. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds to support implementation and directs the State Library to provide model language for interlocal agreements to ensure consistent compliance across the state.
HB 349 updates North Carolina's requirements for healthcare powers of attorney (POA) and advance health care directives (like living wills). It clarifies witness and notary rules to prevent conflicts of interest (e.g., prohibiting facility staff from witnessing), standardizes forms for easier use, and allows electronic filing of directives with the Secretary of State’s registry. The bill directly affects residents planning ahead for medical decisions, ensuring their chosen agents or instructions are legally recognized. Key changes include revised witness eligibility criteria, simplified form language, and a new online filing option to improve accessibility. The bill does not alter medical care standards but streamlines the legal process for end-of-life planning.
SB 722 creates the Online Safety Division within North Carolina’s Department of Justice, the Cyberbullying Unit at the State Bureau of Investigation, and an Online Child Safety Commission. It directly affects major digital platforms with over 5 million users in North Carolina and $25 million in annual revenue, requiring them to implement parental notification systems, disable manipulative design features ("dark patterns"), and provide robust privacy tools for children. Platforms must submit annual Child Impact Assessments detailing risks to minors, limit data collection for children, prohibit targeted advertising, and default to strict privacy settings. The law authorizes civil penalties of up to $500,000 per violation for noncompliance, with funding of $5 million for 2025-2026 allocated to establish these new state units.
HB 524 requires North Carolina's Register of Deeds offices to create an electronic fraud detection alert system. Property owners or businesses can enroll to receive email alerts within 24 hours when property documents (like deeds or mortgages) are recorded under their name or business title. The system must include an online portal for enrollment, allow monitoring up to five names per email, and send detailed notifications with recording dates and document details. Enrollees may be charged a reasonable fee covering system costs, but the Register of Deeds cannot be held liable for the system's operation.
HB 552 establishes the Agricultural Manufacturing Investment Grant Account within North Carolina's One North Carolina Fund, allocating up to $5 million for new economic development incentives. This account provides competitive grants to eligible agricultural manufacturers in the state. The Department of Commerce will administer these grants, prioritizing projects in less developed areas, those using advanced agricultural technologies, or those with significant research and development. To qualify, recipients must commit to investing at least $5 million of private funds, employ a minimum of 25 full-time employees, and meet specific wage requirements. Grants are capped at $100,000 annually per recipient for up to five years.
