Budget & Taxes

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 555: Wetlands Protection and Restoration Act.

SB 555 establishes a $15 million Wetlands Restoration and Protection Fund to support wetland conservation in North Carolina. The bill allocates $5 million specifically for monitoring and research, and directs the Department of Environmental Quality to fund restoration projects, land protection agreements, public education, and enforcement of wetland laws. It directly affects landowners near wetlands and environmental programs by redefining "isolated wetlands" using pre-2020 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determinations and the 2010 North Carolina Wetland Assessment Manual, restoring protections lost under the *Sackett v. EPA* Supreme Court decision. The bill requires annual reports to legislators detailing fund usage, project outcomes, and research findings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $15M from state budget for wetland conservation via appropriations, directly funding environmental programs through dedicated funding streams.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $15M for wetland conservation, restoration, and enforcement, directly advancing environmental protection through funding and regulatory strengthening.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 978: Establish Youth Mentoring Commission/Mentoring Funds.

HB 978 establishes the North Carolina Commission on Youth Mentoring within the Department of Health and Human Services to administer grants supporting local youth mentoring programs. The bill allocates $1.5 million annually from 2025-2027 to fund small-to-medium nonprofit organizations providing mentoring services, with specific goals to increase quality mentoring, reduce youth safety risks, and strengthen community connections. The Commission, composed of 15 appointed members including youth participants and community representatives, will manage the grant program, develop application processes, and submit annual reports on funding distribution and social impact to legislative committees. This legislation directly affects North Carolina-based youth mentoring nonprofits and aims to expand accessible, high-quality mentoring opportunities for young people across the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.5M annually (2025-2027) for youth mentoring programs via DHHS, directly funding public services under budgetary provisions. Subjects explicitly include APPROPRIATIONS and BUDGETING.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds youth mentoring programs to reduce safety risks and strengthen community connections, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of prevention and recidivism reduction.85% confidence

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died · North Carolina · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 912: The Hometown Opportunities for Mentoring Educators Act.

HB 912, known as the Hometown Opportunities for Mentoring Educators (H.O.M.E.) Act, establishes a grant program to encourage teachers to work in the same local school administrative units where they were previously students. The program provides a $500 monthly salary supplement to "eligible teachers," defined as individuals who attended or graduated from a high school in a specific local unit and agree to teach there. The Department of Public Instruction will manage the program and disburse grants to local school units, which are also tasked with promoting the program to high school students. The bill appropriates $10 million annually to fund these teacher salary supplements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $500 monthly salary supplement via state grant program, directly increasing public education funding under budgetary provisions (subjects: APPROPRIATIONS, BUDGETING, SALARIES & BENEFITS).95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $500 monthly salary supplement to teachers who attended local schools, incentivizing retention in public education through direct funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 994: Western NC Support; Expand Community Economic Development.

HB 994 allocates $20.3 million in nonrecurring funds and $1 million in recurring funds to support Western North Carolina recovery from Hurricane Helene and expand economic development services. The bill directs $10 million specifically for long-term housing recovery for residents in Western NC whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Helene, $5 million to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) statewide to enhance economic development services, and $300,000 to fund three women’s business centers in Western NC, the Triad, and the Piedmont. An additional $5 million supports the Institute Capital (I-CAP) for statewide economic activities, while the recurring $1 million aids ongoing housing recovery efforts and matches federal disaster funds. The bill directly affects Western NC residents impacted by Hurricane Helene, local CDCs, and small business support organizations through targeted financial assistance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $20.3M nonrecurring + $1M recurring funds for disaster recovery (housing, CDCs, women's business centers) via state appropriations, directly advancing fiscal support for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $10M specifically for long-term housing recovery post-Hurricane Helene, directly funding repairs for displaced residents in Western NC.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 493: General Assembly/Safe Workplace Policies.

HB 493 creates confidential reporting and resolution procedures for workplace harassment in North Carolina's General Assembly, affecting all legislators, staff (including part-time/temporary employees), volunteers, and pages. It requires mandatory annual training on preventing harassment and discrimination, establishes clear consequences for violations, and mandates a confidential investigation process handled by an independent third party. The bill appropriates $250,000 to fund training materials, infrastructure, and the independent investigator for the 2025-2027 fiscal years. These changes apply to all workplace interactions, including legislative events and business-related activities, with specific disciplinary actions ranging from warnings to expulsion for legislators.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $250,000 for harassment training, directly allocating budget funds to legislative service program as required by bill's funding mandate.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates confidential harassment reporting, mandatory training, and independent investigations for General Assembly staff, strengthening workplace safety protections for employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

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signed · North Carolina · Senate Oct 23, 2025

SB 449: Continuing Budget Operations Part IV.

SB 449 modifies North Carolina's disaster recovery funding programs related to Hurricane Helene. It extends interest-only payment periods for Golden LEAF loans to 24 months, caps individual loans at $150,000, and defers repayment for small cities and counties until June 30, 2030, or after FEMA reimbursement decisions. Eligible communities include cities with under 10,000 residents and over 100% budget damage, or counties with under 25,000 residents and over 50% budget damage from Helene. The bill also requires local government grant projects to be ineligible for FEMA Public Assistance reimbursement to qualify for funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDefers loan repayments for disaster-affected local governments, easing budget pressures and aligning with appropriations subject category.85% confidence

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 669: Volunteer Firefighter Reimbursement Program.

HB 669 establishes a temporary reimbursement program for North Carolina volunteer firefighters, allowing them to be paid back for mileage to emergency scenes and costs of personal equipment used during responses. The program, funded by $1 million for 2025-2026, reimburses at the IRS business mileage rate and covers equipment like safety gear used to secure scenes or treat individuals. Volunteer organizations must collect claims within 60 days, and the Division of Emergency Management will oversee the program until it ends June 30, 2026. A report to lawmakers by that date will evaluate participation and recommend whether to expand or make the program permanent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1M from state budget for firefighter reimbursements, directly funding public safety program under appropriations subject.95% confidence

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died · North Carolina · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SB 141: Funds for the Males Place.

SB 141 appropriates $75,000 in one-time state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to provide a directed grant to The Males Place, Inc. in Charlotte. The funding supports the organization's program offering weekly mentoring services specifically for African American boys aged 12 to 18. The bill directs the Office of State Budget and Management to disburse these funds to assist the nonprofit in delivering this mentoring initiative. The measure becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $75k in state funds for nonprofit youth mentoring program, directly advancing budget appropriations for social services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 313: Supporting Small Farmers for NC's Future Act.

SB 313 establishes a $15 million grant program to support small North Carolina farmers with annual gross cash farm income under $1 million. The program provides financial assistance for essential farm inputs, equipment, and operational improvements to eligible farmers who meet income and residency requirements. Grants will be prioritized based on financial hardship, need, and farm size, with the Department of Agriculture administering the fund and an advisory committee monitoring effectiveness. This act directly affects small-scale farmers seeking to improve their operational viability through targeted financial support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $15M in state funds via appropriations for farm grants, directly funding a public program under budgeting subject.95% confidence

Tags Agriculture

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 670: Workforce Credential Grant Program/Career and College Pathways.

House Bill 670 establishes the Career and College Pathways Innovation Challenge Grant Program, providing competitive grants to North Carolina community colleges. These grants support local and regional partnerships that aim to increase postsecondary enrollment and completion for students and adults, align educational offerings with workforce needs, and reduce educational opportunity gaps. The State Board of Community Colleges administers the program, awarding funds for initiatives like work-based learning and financial support beyond tuition. For the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 fiscal years, $2 million is specifically allocated to community colleges in counties affected by Hurricane Helene. The bill appropriates $5 million in recurring funds for the program, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded grants for community colleges, directly allocating appropriations to advance educational programs and workforce development through budgeting mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes competitive grants for community colleges to increase postsecondary enrollment, align education with workforce needs, and reduce opportunity gaps through direct funding of higher education initiatives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds community college partnerships to align education with workforce needs, enhancing job readiness and career pathways for workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Workforce Development

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