SB 1001 modifies North Carolina's coastal regulations to streamline permit processes and update requirements for specific marina projects. The bill clarifies that sending certified mail to adjacent landowners satisfies notice requirements for development permits, ensuring these applications are not delayed by non-responses. It also amends rules for upland basin marinas by allowing site-specific modeling to prove sufficient water flushing instead of mandating mechanical aeration, while simultaneously requiring financial bonds or set-aside funds to cover five years of maintenance costs. Additionally, the legislation expands the uses of the Coastal Storm Damage Mitigation Fund to include the construction and repair of terminal groins for local governments that benefit public lands. Finally, the bill includes several technical corrections to existing statutes regarding vessel capacity definitions and policy goal references.
This bill requires proxy advisory firms in North Carolina to clearly disclose when their voting recommendations are not based on a written financial analysis of how the vote affects shareholder value. The law defines a "written financial analysis" as a document that evaluates both short-term and long-term financial impacts and explains the methods used to reach a conclusion. If a firm recommends against company management or uses default policies that oppose management without such an analysis, it must inform clients that the recommendation was not grounded in these financial evaluations. Additionally, the bill mandates that proxy advisors provide these disclosures to both shareholders and company directors to ensure transparency in the voting guidance process.
SB 1047, titled the Regulatory Reform Act of 2026, organizes and updates North Carolina's laws regarding Guaranteed Energy Savings Contracts (GESC) to provide regulatory relief for citizens. The bill primarily affects state and local governmental units by establishing a structured process for these contracts, which allow governments to pay for energy-saving upgrades based on actual savings rather than upfront costs. Key provisions require officials to publish requests for qualifications, select providers based on specific criteria like past performance and technical feasibility, and conduct independent audits to verify projected energy savings. Additionally, the legislation sets clear thresholds for terminating projects if the actual savings do not meet the guaranteed estimates, ensuring accountability in public spending.
SB 602 would temporarily allow owners of commercial buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene to rebuild using the same fire-rated windows that were in place before the storm, instead of upgrading to current building code standards. It applies only to downtown commercial structures in counties declared disaster areas by the federal government, where reconstruction is limited to restoring the building to its pre-storm condition without expansion. Owners must submit a signed affidavit confirming eligibility and acknowledging the risks of not using upgraded windows, and the exemption expires two years after the bill takes effect. This exemption specifically covers window requirements but does not affect other building code provisions.
HB 34 creates a new criminal offense for stealing or misusing someone else's mail, directly affecting individuals who unlawfully take, control, or transfer mail intended for others. The bill defines "mail" broadly to include letters, packages, or valuable items sent to another person and prohibits two specific actions: stealing mail to deprive the owner, or transferring mail to benefit someone not entitled to it. Punishments range from a Class A1 misdemeanor for first-time, low-value thefts (under $200) to a Class D felony for repeat offenses or high-value thefts (over $2,000). This law, effective December 1, 2025, applies to offenses committed after that date.
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.
This House Resolution honors the life and memory of James Michael "Mike" Clampitt, a former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from District 119. The bill formally recognizes his extensive background in public service, which included decades as a firefighter and deputy sheriff in North Carolina before his election to the state legislature. It expresses the House's appreciation for his legislative work and extends condolences to his family, with a copy of the resolution sent to them.
This House Resolution honors the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team for winning the 2026 Stanley Cup and recognizes their contributions to the state of North Carolina. The bill formally acknowledges the team's historic season, including their record-breaking regular performance and playoff victory, while also praising the owner, management, and coaching staff for their leadership. It directs the Principal Clerk to send a certified copy of the resolution to the team, its owner Tom Dundon, and head coach Rod Brind'Amour. This measure serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new laws or funding.
HB 565 ("Check Yes, Save Lives") allows North Carolina taxpayers to register as organ donors by checking a box on their state income tax return, starting with tax returns for 2026 and later. This directly affects all North Carolina taxpayers who file income tax returns, providing a simple, automatic way to enroll in the organ donation program during annual tax filing. The bill amends tax and organ donation statutes to add income tax return enrollment as a valid method for making an anatomical gift (under Section 130A-412.7(1a)), while keeping existing options like driver's license or wills. It requires coordination between the Department of Revenue and Motor Vehicles to update the Organ Donor Registry, ensuring the tax-based enrollment is properly recorded. The policy change streamlines donor registration without altering the existing organ donation process or eligibility.
Senate Bill 280, the "Private School Security Act," allows certain individuals to carry weapons on specific educational properties under defined conditions. It permits employees and volunteers of private schools to carry firearms or stun guns on school property if authorized by the school's board or director, provided they hold a concealed handgun permit and complete annual advanced gun safety training. Private schools must also adopt and annually distribute written standard operating procedures for weapon possession to parents. Additionally, the bill allows individuals with concealed handgun permits to carry their weapons in places of religious worship located on educational property while attending worship services or other religious functions.
This bill aims to reduce redundant inspections for adult care homes in North Carolina by allowing one recent, passed inspection to count for multiple similar checks within a three-month window. It directly affects adult care facilities, state health regulators, and local agencies that currently conduct overlapping safety and facility reviews. Under the new rules, if a home has already passed an inspection by the state's Adult Care Licensure Section, other state or local inspectors must accept those results instead of performing their own separate evaluations. The legislation also allocates $100,000 in state funds to support this streamlined process, with the changes taking effect on October 1, 2026.
This bill updates the duties and operational rules for North Carolina's Office of the State Auditor to enhance its oversight capabilities. It allows the Auditor to charge fees for specific financial audits and grants the office authority to contract with federal agencies for auditing state-managed federal programs. Additionally, the legislation enables the Auditor to collaborate with district attorneys and the State Bureau of Investigation to pursue criminal matters arising from audits and to hire specialized contractors for Medicaid provider reviews. The bill also requires state agencies to obtain the Auditor's approval before entering into contracts that could affect the state's financial reports.
