Budget & Taxes

signed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 8, 2026

SB 474: Adjust Counties/Reappraisal Moratorium.

SB 474, the DAVE Act, creates a new Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency within North Carolina's State Auditor's office. It requires all state agencies to report by October 2025 on how they spend public funds and list vacant positions held for six months or longer, including reasons for vacancies. The Division will assess whether agencies or specific positions remain necessary, using AI tools to analyze spending effectiveness, duplication, and budget use. By December 2025, the Division must recommend to the legislature which agencies or positions should be eliminated based on this review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires agencies to report spending and vacancies, uses AI to analyze budget effectiveness, duplication, and fiscal efficiency, promoting fiscal responsibility in state budget management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 996: Further Limit General Fund Operating Budget.

HB 996 reduces North Carolina's state budget spending limit by lowering the cap on the General Fund operating budget from 7% to 6% of projected total state personal income each year. This directly affects the state government's annual budget planning, requiring it to spend less relative to the state's economic output. The bill maintains the existing process for exceeding the cap, which still requires a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers. It takes effect July 1, 2025, for budgets adopted on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces General Fund budget cap from 7% to 6% of personal income, directly restricting state spending limits per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 998: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library/Funds.

HB 998 appropriates $5 million from North Carolina's General Fund to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation for constructing a new main library. The funds are a one-time allocation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, specifically designated for the library's new building project. This bill directly affects the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation as the recipient of the grant. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and contains no policy changes beyond the funding authorization.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M from General Fund for library construction, directly funding a public service project per appropriations subject.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 1005: Clarify Ballot Language for Article 46 Tax.

HB 1005 modifies the ballot language for a county sales tax referendum in North Carolina, clarifying the tax rate and its intended use. The bill changes the ballot question to specify a 0.25% sales tax (one penny per $4 spent) and explicitly states that proceeds will fund teacher and education employee pay raises, while exempting gas, groceries, motor vehicles, and prescription drugs. This change directly affects voters in counties holding referendums under Article 46 of Chapter 105, ensuring clearer communication about the tax’s scope and purpose. The bill does not alter the tax rate or funding rules but standardizes how the proposal is presented to voters.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies ballot language to direct 0.25% sales tax revenue toward teacher pay raises, explicitly advancing public education funding through targeted tax allocation.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly allocates clarified sales tax revenue to fund teacher and education employee pay raises, strengthening educator compensation and school funding.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly directs sales tax proceeds to fund teacher and education employee pay raises, directly advancing wages for public sector workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Teachers

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 657: Keeping Our Coaches Act.

SB 657, the "Keeping Our Coaches Act," allocates $11 million annually from sports betting tax revenue to provide salary supplements for athletic coaches in North Carolina public schools. It directly affects eligible public school athletic coaches who currently receive non-state funds totaling less than $3,000 per year for coaching duties. The bill requires school units to maintain prior non-state funding levels for coaches, prohibits using state funds to replace those non-state contributions, and directs unspent funds to YMCA youth sports programs. This policy change becomes effective for the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $11M annually from sports betting tax revenue to fund coach salary supplements, directly using existing tax revenue to support public education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $11M annually from sports betting revenue for coach salary supplements, directly funding school staff (coaches) under education/funding subjects, strengthening educator compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 258: 2025 Appropriations Act.

This bill allocates funding for North Carolina's state agencies and departments to cover their current operations during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. It provides base budget appropriations from the General Fund, Highway Fund, and federal block grants to maintain existing services without creating new programs. The funding is set at maximum necessary levels, with unused amounts reverting to their respective funds at year-end. The bill applies solely to the 2025-2027 period and becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates base funding to maintain existing state services without new programs, aligning with fiscal responsibility and supporting public service funding per budget appropriations focus.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates Highway Fund and General Fund appropriations to maintain existing transportation infrastructure and services without new programs, directly funding roads/highways as specified in subjects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 237: Funds for Transitional Housing in Pitt County.

SB 237 appropriates $55,000 from the state General Fund to provide a one-time grant to the nonprofit organization CAREE (Citizens Advocating for Racial Equity and Equality) for its transitional housing programs in Pitt County. The funds, designated as nonrecurring for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, directly support CAREE's existing efforts to assist individuals transitioning from homelessness or unstable housing. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, with no new policy requirements or eligibility changes beyond the funding allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $55,000 from General Fund for nonprofit transitional housing program, directly funding essential service without tax impact.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDirectly funds transitional housing program for homelessness support, advancing affordable housing efforts through state grant allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Homelessness

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 240: Establish NCSTARS Grant Program.

SB 240 establishes the NCSTARS Grant Program to fund community colleges partnering with public schools and local businesses to create work-based learning programs for students aged 16+ in apprenticeships or preapprenticeships. It provides matching grants of up to $500,000 per year per community college, requiring a 3:1 state-to-local funding match for program costs like student stipends, travel, and staff. The program prioritizes applications modeling the Surry-Yadkin Works FLEET program and mandates annual reports on participation and outcomes. Total funding of $4.75 million is allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, supporting the program through 2028-2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via matching grants ($500k/year) for community college programs, directly advancing budgetary support through appropriations and funding for education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides matching grants to fund work-based learning programs between community colleges and schools, directly advancing educational access and career pathways.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds apprenticeship programs via grants, creating work-based learning pathways for students into employment, directly advancing workforce development and job opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Apprenticeships

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 233: Make Corporations Pay What They Owe.

SB 233, titled "Make Corporations Pay What They Owe," would repeal a specific provision (Section 42.2) from a 2021 law (S.L. 2021-180) that was phasing out North Carolina's corporate income tax. This bill does not create new taxes but stops the planned reduction of corporate tax rates, meaning corporations would continue paying the current rate instead of a lower rate scheduled to take effect. It directly affects corporations subject to North Carolina's corporate income tax, as the repeal prevents the phaseout from proceeding. The bill is purely procedural, with no additional provisions or mechanisms beyond this repeal.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals tax phase-out, maintaining current corporate tax rates to increase state revenue instead of reducing it.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 247: Redirect Crisis Pregnancy Center Funds.

SB 247 redirects $6.25 million annually from crisis pregnancy centers to evidence-based maternal and infant health programs administered by North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services, starting July 2025. It requires the State Auditor to audit Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship by March 2026 and mandates detailed reporting from all crisis pregnancy centers receiving state funds. These centers must disclose service types, demographics of clients, funding sources, and whether they misrepresent as medical facilities. The bill aims to increase transparency and reallocate resources toward proven maternal health initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $6.25M annually from crisis centers to maternal/infant health programs, reallocating existing budget funds to essential public health services under budgeting/appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects $6.25M from crisis centers to evidence-based maternal/infant health programs under DHHS, strengthening public health services and expanding access to proven care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Children's Health Women's Health

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