HB 1202 allocates $6.1 million in state funds to Forsyth Technical Community College to create a law enforcement driving training center in King, North Carolina. This facility will feature a driving pad, roadway, and instructional building designed to support basic law enforcement training and ongoing education for police officers. The project is a partnership between the college and the City of Winston-Salem, with funding designated for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
SB 940, titled the 2026 Appropriations Act, allocates state funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support the daily operations of North Carolina state agencies, departments, and institutions. The bill distributes money from the General Fund, the Highway Fund, and the Highway Trust Fund to cover essential services, including transportation maintenance, while also funding federal block grants for health and other programs. It incorporates existing budget rules and applies only to the specific fiscal year unless other laws indicate a longer duration. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and includes standard provisions ensuring that any remaining funds revert to their original sources at the end of the year.
This bill strengthens traffic safety and law enforcement in Mecklenburg County by funding 12 new State Trooper positions and five additional magistrates, effective in 2026. It increases fines for failing to stop for school buses and expands the use of vehicle registration records as initial proof of driver responsibility in such cases. The legislation also restricts public access to video footage from highway cameras, allowing disclosure only to specific individuals involved in the recorded incident or their legal representatives. Furthermore, the bill raises penalties for moving over violations and street takeover incidents, establishes reckless boating as a criminal offense, and increases fines for assaulting public transit workers.
This bill allocates $10 million from the state's Highway Fund to the Pitt-Greenville Airport to construct a new general aviation terminal. The funding is designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and is scheduled to become effective on July 1, 2025. The legislation directly impacts the airport by providing specific nonrecurring money for infrastructure development, while the state Department of Transportation oversees the allocation.
This bill creates a new grant program in North Carolina to fund public car and shuttle services in rural counties with low population density. Eligible recipients, such as counties and transit authorities, can use the funds to support commuter travel during peak hours or provide on-demand rides for medical appointments and grocery shopping during off-peak times. To receive funding, applicants must secure a local match of at least 50% and ensure that employers contribute a minimum of 20% for peak-hour commuter services. The program is financed by a $30 million appropriation from the Highway Fund and is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026.
This bill updates North Carolina laws to regulate outdoor advertising signs, primarily affecting sign owners and the state Department of Transportation. It requires the Department to issue or deny permits within 30 days, automatically approving applications if no decision is made by then, and limits permit revocations for first-time violations by mandating a 60-day cure period. Additionally, the legislation clarifies rules for cutting vegetation near highway signs, defining specific zones based on speed limits and allowing sign owners to pay a fee to remove trees outside those zones. The bill also restricts the Department from delegating its core regulatory authority to local governments while permitting cooperation on enforcement.
This bill, known as the Hands Free NC Act, makes it illegal for drivers in North Carolina to hold a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle on public roads. The law prohibits texting, watching videos, or holding any electronic device, such as a cell phone or smartwatch, except when the vehicle is safely stationary or during specific emergencies like medical crises or unsafe road conditions. Drivers under 18 are allowed to use navigation systems if all destinations are entered before driving, while law enforcement, first responders, and emergency vehicle operators are exempt from these restrictions. Violations result in fines ranging from $100 to $200 depending on prior offenses within a 36-month period, and repeat offenders will face insurance points on their records. The legislation also prevents local governments from passing their own ordinances on this matter and requires driver education programs to include instructions on these new rules.
This bill directs North Carolina's Department of Transportation to create a new method for funding bridge replacements that operates separately from the current Strategic Mobility Formula. To accomplish this, the state will allocate $100,000 in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support the development of this alternative plan, which must include a prioritization process and a specific revenue source. The department is required to submit its proposed formula and legislative recommendations to various committees by December 1, 2026, and the law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill, titled the Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2026, allocates state funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover the daily operations of North Carolina's government agencies, departments, and institutions. It distributes money from various sources, including the General Fund, the State Highway Fund, and the Highway Trust Fund, to support essential services such as transportation maintenance and federal block grant programs. The legislation also incorporates existing budget rules and specifies that its provisions apply only to the 2026-2027 period, with any unused funds reverting to the state at the end of the fiscal year.
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.
