This bill honors the life and memory of Louis Milford Pate Jr., a former North Carolina state legislator and retired Air Force navigator. It formally recognizes his military service, public service career, and community contributions while extending sympathy to his family following his death. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of the document to Pate's family as a final tribute.
HB 1242 proposes a constitutional amendment to update the language of North Carolina's "Law of the Land Clause" in Article I, Section 19. The bill would replace the current text with a modernized version that explicitly prohibits imprisonment or deprivation of life, liberty, or property except by law, while also reinforcing protections against discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin. This measure does not create new laws immediately but instead places the updated text before voters for a decision at the November 3, 2026, general election. If approved by a majority of voters, the new language will become part of the state constitution; if rejected, the existing constitutional text remains unchanged.
SB 801 protects the personal information of North Carolina special operations personnel and their families by making their addresses, phone numbers, and school details confidential. The bill requires state agencies to keep this data private unless the individual requests disclosure and confirms they have taken steps to protect it through other means. It also expands the state's Address Confidentiality Program to include these individuals, allowing them to use a substitute address for receiving mail and legal documents. Additionally, the legislation creates a new civil liability law against doxing and allocates funds to implement these protections.
This bill, titled "Truth in Taxation," requires local taxing authorities in North Carolina to follow a specific process before raising property tax rates above a revenue-neutral level during years when a general reappraisal of real property occurs. To implement this change, the governing body must publish public notices in newspapers and online, send direct mail to taxpayers detailing the proposed tax increase, and hold a dedicated public hearing where a majority vote is required to approve the higher rate. If a local government fails to comply with these procedures and collects excess taxes, the bill mandates that they refund the overage to affected property owners. Additionally, the legislation increases the late reinstatement fee for expired real estate appraiser trainee registrations, licenses, and certificates to $12 per month, up from $10.
This bill creates a voluntary program allowing businesses in North Carolina to contribute to portable benefit accounts for their independent contractors. The plan enables hiring parties to fund benefits such as health insurance, retirement, and disability through a third-party administrator, which helps contractors maintain coverage when moving between jobs. To encourage participation, the legislation allows businesses to deduct contributions as business expenses and permits contractors to exclude those amounts from their taxable income. Additionally, the bill includes a $100,000 appropriation to fund public education about the program, which will take effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 1200, known as the Tax-Free Family Essentials Act, removes the state sales tax on specific items including diapers, baby wipes, over-the-counter children's medication, prenatal vitamins, and feminine hygiene products. The bill directly affects families purchasing these goods by exempting them from the tax, while also clarifying the legal definitions of these items to ensure consistent application. These tax exemptions will take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to all sales occurring on or after that date.
HB 600 officially recognizes the Tuscarora Indians of Kahtenuaka Territories as a tribe under North Carolina law, effective July 1, 2025. The bill designates them as eligible for federal programs and services available to Native American tribes, based on historical treaties and their continuous presence in the state. It requires two Tuscarora representatives to serve on the State Commission of Indian Affairs and one to serve on the American Indian Heritage Commission. This recognition grants the tribe formal standing and representation in state-level tribal affairs.
SB 675 sets a 2% maximum fee limit for second or junior lien mortgages in North Carolina, aligning state rules with federal Qualified Mortgage standards. It allows up to 3% total fees across all lenders for such loans, referencing federal guidelines (12 C.F.R. §1026.43(e)(3)). The bill directly affects borrowers taking second mortgages and lenders who charge fees on these loans. It requires lenders to comply with these fee limits on loans secured by real property, effective upon enactment.
HB 925, the "Consumers in Crisis Protection Act," regulates companies that provide cash advances to North Carolina consumers with pending legal claims (e.g., personal injury cases) before they receive settlement funds. It requires these "consumer legal funding companies" to register with the Insurance Commissioner, pay a $1,000 fee, and provide proof of financial stability ($50,000 bond). The law prohibits consumers from using these funds for legal fees or court costs, mandates plain-language contracts with a 10-day cancellation period, and explicitly states such transactions are not loans. The bill applies to all such companies operating in North Carolina, exempting immediate family members, banks, and attorneys.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee voters in North Carolina the right to early voting for all primary and general elections. If approved by voters in a 2026 referendum, the amendment would require county election boards to designate a minimum of 14 days for early voting, with sites open at least 8:00 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. on weekdays and same-day voter registration available at these sites. The legislation also mandates that early voting locations and staffing levels be adjusted to meet voter demand, ensuring consistent operating hours across the state. This change would be implemented only if a majority of voters cast ballots in favor of the amendment at the upcoming general election.
This bill modifies North Carolina's Cosmetic Art Act to create a new professional category called "hair designer" specifically for natural hair care services. It reduces the training hours required to become a licensed cosmetologist and removes the apprenticeship requirement for licensure. The legislation also formally defines "natural hair care" as services that involve tension on hair strands through twisting, wrapping, extending, or locking. These changes aim to deregulate certain hair care practices while establishing new licensing pathways for specialists in that field.
HB 1213 removes tax exemptions for data centers in North Carolina, meaning these facilities will no longer be exempt from state sales and use taxes. The bill directly affects data center operators and the businesses that purchase equipment for them, requiring them to pay applicable taxes on new purchases starting July 1, 2026. By repealing specific sections of state tax law, the legislation ensures that data centers contribute to state revenue in the same way other commercial entities do.
