Budget & Taxes

passed · North Carolina · House May 22, 2026

HB 1042: Affordable Housing Exemption Modifications.

HB 1042 updates North Carolina's property tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations that provide housing for low- or moderate-income individuals. The bill clarifies that land held by nonprofits for future affordable housing projects can remain tax-exempt for up to five years, with unpaid taxes deferred until the project is completed or the land is no longer used for this purpose. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new specific exemption for affordable rental housing, defining it as developments where more than half the units are rented to tenants earning at or below 80% of the area median income. These changes aim to provide clearer tax incentives for nonprofits developing and operating affordable rental properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands property tax exemptions for affordable housing nonprofits, reducing tax burdens on essential low-income housing programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill extends property tax exemptions for nonprofits providing affordable housing, facilitating development and funding for low-income housing projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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signed · North Carolina · House Jul 8, 2026

HB 1094: Ferry Division Audit/DOT Omnibus.

This bill directs the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Ferry Division within the Department of Transportation. The audit will examine financial spending, operational efficiency, and the current route system to identify ways to reduce costs and increase revenue. Additionally, the review will explore options for diversifying funding sources to support capital projects and cover operating expenses. The State Auditor must submit a final report detailing these findings to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division by October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by auditing state spending to reduce costs and increase revenue.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 869: Reduce County Share/SA In-Home Program.

This bill directs the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to use $500,000 in state funds to lower the portion of costs that counties must pay for the Special Assistance in-home program. Starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the state will cover more of the expenses for this service, which supports individuals who need assistance at home. The change is designed to reduce the financial burden on local governments while maintaining the availability of the program. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $500k to reduce county costs for home health services, strengthening local fiscal capacity and funding essential social programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates state funds to reduce county costs for in-home health services, expanding access and funding for home care programs.90% confidence

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 962: Investing in North Carolina Act.

This bill, titled the Investing in North Carolina Act, establishes a new salary schedule for public school teachers and provides raises for state employees, community college staff, and University of North Carolina employees. The proposed teacher salary schedule sets monthly pay based on years of experience, ranging from $4,600 for new teachers to $6,370 for those with 29 or more years of service, while also adding specific supplements for certified teachers, school nurses, counselors, and other instructional support personnel. These salary increases are contingent on the failure of the 2026-2027 Current Operations Appropriations Act to pass, meaning the changes would only take effect if that budget bill does not become law. Additionally, the bill includes a 6% cost-of-living adjustment for eligible state-funded employees effective July 1, 2026, and allocates $921.2 million in recurring funds to implement the teacher salary raises.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases funding for public education and state employees through salary raises, directly advancing the budget topic.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes new salary schedules and provides raises for public school teachers and higher education staff, directly enhancing educator compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education Teachers

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1194: Winston-Salem/Forsyth Joint Emergency Operations Center Funds.

This bill appropriates $1 million in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to help Forsyth County and the City of Winston-Salem build a shared emergency operations center. The money will be given as a grant to the county to improve how the city and county coordinate their responses during emergencies. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and does not include any conditions on how the funds must be spent beyond supporting the creation of the joint facility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1M in nonrecurring funds to build a shared emergency operations center, directly increasing funding for public safety and emergency services.90% confidence

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 958: Safe Parks Act.

This bill establishes a new fund called the Contaminated Parks Remedial Account to help clean up environmental hazards in public parks across North Carolina. It directs money from taxes on trash disposal and corporate income to pay for assessing and fixing pre-1983 landfills or other inactive hazardous sites that make parks unusable. Local governments that own the affected parks must contribute one dollar for every four dollars provided by the state to share the cost of cleanup. The program is scheduled to begin in 2026, with funding amounts gradually increasing over time as more tax revenue is generated.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new fund to clean up hazardous sites in parks using specific tax revenues, directly advancing funding for public services and environmental remediation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates a fund to clean up hazardous sites and pollution in public parks, directly protecting the environment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Parks & Recreation Waste Management

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 892: Funds for Pitt-Greenville Airport.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $10M from state funds to construct a new airport terminal, directly advancing infrastructure development and public service funding.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $10M from Highway Fund to construct a new airport terminal, directly funding transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports Roads & Highways

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 1022: Pickleball Wellness Initiative: Health Equity.

This bill allocates $196,760 from the state's General Fund to North Carolina State University to launch a pilot pickleball program in eastern Wake, Halifax, and Lenoir Counties. The initiative aims to boost physical activity, foster social connections, and improve mental well-being in communities that currently lack safe recreational spaces. Funds will support a structured program that includes community input, marketing efforts, three months of weekly instruction, and an evaluation of health outcomes. Additionally, the project will create a toolkit to help similar programs be implemented across the state. The program is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $196,760 from the General Fund to fund a pickleball wellness initiative, directly increasing funding for public health and recreation services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates funding to launch a pickleball program aimed at boosting physical activity, fostering social connections, and improving mental well-being in underserved communities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 896: Increase Medicaid PCS and PDN Rates.

This North Carolina bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for personal care services and private duty nursing starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation allocates $120.8 million in state funds to raise the payment for personal care services to $7.50 per 15-minute increment, while also increasing the rate for private duty nursing to $16.25 per 15-minute increment. These higher rates are intended to cover additional federal matching funds, ensuring that providers receive more money for each hour of care delivered to eligible beneficiaries. The changes apply to various programs including the State Plan Personal Care Services Program and Community Alternatives Programs for children and adults.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $120.8M to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates, directly funding essential home health care services and strengthening the state budget for social support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for personal care and nursing, directly strengthening healthcare funding and provider compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1148: Universal Pre-K.

This bill allocates $200 million in recurring state funds to expand access to the North Carolina Pre-K program for all income-eligible four-year-olds. The additional money is directed to the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure these children can participate in the program starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and does not alter existing eligibility criteria or program requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $200M in recurring state funds to expand Pre-K access, directly increasing funding for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $200M to expand Pre-K access for all income-eligible four-year-olds, directly increasing funding and educational opportunity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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