SB 381 expands North Carolina's anti-discrimination protections to cover housing and employment. It adds sexual orientation, gender identity, military/veteran status, and genetic information to the list of protected characteristics in housing (e.g., rentals, sales, loans) and employment (for employers with 15+ staff). The bill prohibits specific discriminatory actions like refusing housing based on protected status, denying employment opportunities, or making biased land-use decisions. It directly affects residents, renters, job seekers, and businesses operating in these sectors across the state.
HB 231 establishes North Carolina's participation in the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact, allowing licensed social workers from participating states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. The bill directly affects licensed social workers seeking to provide services in multiple states, particularly those serving military families or addressing workforce shortages. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses among member states, accountability for social workers practicing where clients are located, and streamlined processes for disciplinary information sharing. This reduces duplicate licensing requirements while maintaining state authority to protect public health and safety through existing licensure systems.
HB 39 excludes motor vehicles owned by veterans with a 100% disability rating certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from North Carolina property tax. It amends state tax law to add these vehicles as a designated exempt class under G.S. 105-275. The exclusion applies to vehicles registered on or after January 1, 2026. This policy directly affects eligible disabled veterans who own motor vehicles, reducing their property tax burden. The bill does not change eligibility criteria or tax rates for other vehicle classes.
SB 109, the Veterans Appreciation Act, increases property tax relief for disabled veterans in North Carolina by expanding the homestead exclusion to cover the value increase from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) housing grants. It directly affects disabled veterans who receive VA housing grants for service-connected disabilities, allowing them to exclude up to $45,000 of their home’s appraised value plus grant-funded improvements from property taxes. The bill adds a prequalification process, letting veterans apply in advance of purchasing a home to confirm eligibility, with county assessors required to notify applicants within 30 days. This change takes effect for property taxes on homes owned after July 1, 2025.
SB 128, the Heroes Homestead Act, increases the property tax exemption for disabled veterans in North Carolina from $45,000 to $76,500 of a home's appraised value. This change directly affects qualifying disabled veterans who own and occupy their primary residence, providing greater tax relief on their homes. The bill amends North Carolina's property tax law to set the new exclusion amount, effective for taxes due on or after July 1, 2026. It does not apply to other property tax relief programs.
SB 143 expands North Carolina's property tax exemption for disabled veterans by increasing the excluded value from the previous amount to $45,000 of a home's appraised value. It applies to veterans who own and occupy their permanent residence as their primary home, excluding this amount from property taxes. The bill prohibits qualifying veterans from using this exemption alongside other property tax relief programs. This change takes effect for property taxes due on or after July 1, 2025.
SB 183 appropriates $30,000 annually from North Carolina's General Fund to fund a part-time Veteran Services Officer (VSO) position in Jones County for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. This bill directly affects Jones County veterans by providing dedicated local support through a VSO who assists with benefits and services. The key provision is the recurring annual funding to cover the salary and operational costs of this specific role within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing veteran service policies.
SB 188 appropriates $450,000 annually from the General Fund for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to fund North Carolina for Military Employment (NC4ME) programs. It directly supports veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses through employer training, military-specific job fairs, and employment outreach for spouses. The bill requires NC4ME to submit annual reports detailing fund usage, participants served, and employment outcomes to the Department of Commerce and the legislative oversight committee. This funding aims to strengthen veteran workforce integration and employer partnerships, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 177 requires North Carolina's State Human Resources Commission (SHRC) to review job requirements across state agencies and identify positions where a four-year college degree is unnecessary. The bill directs the SHRC to replace degree requirements with alternative qualifications like military service, apprenticeships, or trade school training where appropriate, and to remove unnecessary degree language from job postings. This policy change directly affects state job applicants who may qualify through non-degree pathways. The SHRC must report annually starting October 2025 on progress toward reducing these barriers.
HB 36 requires North Carolina's Department of Veterans and Military Affairs to improve maintenance at all four state veterans cemeteries, directly affecting veterans' families and cemetery operations. The bill mandates addressing specific issues like headstone installation delays, equipment damage to graves, drainage problems, debris, and poor grounds appearance, while allowing military groups to volunteer for upkeep. It also directs the department to review and adjust funeral service policies, including chapel-only options, service duration, attendee limits, and grave visitation rules during services. The department must submit a report on these changes to legislative committees by October 1, 2025.
