Budget & Taxes (Fees & Licensing)

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 1032: Repeal Two Percent Local Grocery Tax.

This bill repeals the authority for North Carolina counties to collect a one percent local sales tax on groceries, effectively exempting food from these local taxes. By removing the option for voters to approve this specific tax, the legislation directly affects county governments and consumers who currently pay this surcharge on food purchases. The change applies to sales made on or after October 1, 2026, and does not alter the existing state sales tax rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill repeals a local grocery tax, providing tax relief to consumers and reducing the tax burden on essential food items.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Sales Tax

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 490: Propel NC Funding and Tuition Surcharge.

HB 490 revises North Carolina's community college funding model to prioritize enrollment in workforce-focused programs. It requires the State Board of Community Colleges to allocate base funding plus additional funds based on full-time student enrollment in curriculum, workforce training, and Basic Skills courses, with weighted funding for high-demand fields. The bill also creates an "Enrollment Increase Reserve" to fund colleges with enrollment growth exceeding 5% in targeted programs and permits community colleges to add up to a 10% tuition surcharge for eligible courses, with funds restricted to instructional costs. These changes directly affect community colleges and students in workforce education, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises community college funding model to prioritize workforce programs with weighted funding and creates Enrollment Increase Reserve, directly advancing budget allocation for education through targeted fiscal management.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRevises community college funding to prioritize workforce programs with weighted funding for high-demand fields and creates enrollment growth reserves, directly advancing higher education funding and access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce training programs prioritizing high-demand fields and enrollment growth, directly enhancing job readiness and employment opportunities per labor & employment policy focus.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Career & Technical Education Curriculum Higher Education Workforce Development

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in committee · North Carolina · House Feb 27, 2025

HB 229: Medicaid Rates/Ambulatory Surgical Centers.

HB 229 adjusts North Carolina's Medicaid reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), requiring payments to be at least 95% of the current Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Centers fee schedule. This change directly affects ASCs by increasing their Medicaid payments, with the state appropriating $10.476 million annually from the General Fund to cover the cost and match $19.135 million in federal funds each year for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. The bill mandates these rate adjustments to take effect on July 1, 2025, ensuring ASCs receive consistent reimbursement aligned with Medicare rates. The legislation focuses solely on establishing the new payment structure and funding mechanism, without altering eligibility or services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $10.476M annually from General Fund to increase Medicaid payments for ASCs, directly funding public health services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for ASCs to 95% of Medicare rates, appropriating $10.476M annually to fund higher payments, strengthening provider access to Medicaid services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 712: Universal Income/Pay-It-Forward Fund.

HB 712 establishes North Carolina's Universal Income Program (NCUIP) within the Department of Commerce, providing eligible individuals who participate in job training or community volunteer work with up to $3,000 monthly for up to five years. The program is funded through a 1% surcharge on state income taxes paid by participants after completing the program, with the revenue directed into a "Pay-It-Forward Fund" to support future recipients. It requires the Department of Commerce to implement the program by January 1, 2026, and report annually to the legislature on its progress. The bill directly affects low-income residents struggling to find stable employment who qualify for retraining or volunteer opportunities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds NCUIP through 1% surcharge on participants' state income taxes, creating dedicated revenue stream for universal income program per bill's funding mechanism.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides $3,000/month for job training/volunteer work, directly advancing employment opportunities and workforce development through financial support and skills training.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Workforce Development

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 17, 2025

SB 286: NC Board of Nursing Licensure Fees.

SB 286 increases licensing fees for nurses in North Carolina by doubling most existing rates. It directly affects registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and applicants seeking new licenses, renewals, or reinstatements. Key provisions include raising application fees (e.g., $75 to $150 for registered nurses), renewal fees (e.g., $100 to $200 for two-year periods), and reinstatement costs. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025, and ensures fees cover board expenses without state treasury funding. No refunds are provided for paid fees under this updated schedule.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases nursing fees to cover board expenses without state treasury funds, promoting fiscal responsibility by shifting costs to users rather than state budget.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 737: Medicaid Rates/Ambulatory Surgical Centers.

SB 737 requires North Carolina to adjust Medicaid reimbursement rates for licensed ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) to at least 95% of the Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Centers fee schedule each year. This directly affects ASCs that treat Medicaid patients by increasing their payments to better align with Medicare rates. The bill provides $6.9 million annually in state funds to match $12.6 million in federal funds for implementation, ensuring the rate adjustments are fully funded. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $6.9M state funds annually to adjust Medicaid rates for ASCs, fully funding rate increases through state-federal matching. Directly addresses budget appropriations for public health services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for ASCs to 95% of Medicare rates with full state/federal funding, strengthening provider payments and access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Medicaid Medicare

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signed · North Carolina · House Jul 29, 2025

HB 402: Limit Rules With Substantial Financial Costs.

HB 402 requires North Carolina state agencies to assess the financial impact of proposed permanent rules. If a rule would cost affected individuals or businesses $20 million or more over five years, it must be approved by the General Assembly before taking effect. For rules with a $1 million or more annual cost impact, agencies must prepare a fiscal note for review by the Office of State Budget and Management. The bill also mandates a two-thirds vote by agency boards to adopt rules exceeding the $1 million cost threshold. This directly affects state agencies creating regulations and the businesses or residents who would bear the costs of those rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires fiscal impact assessments and legislative approval for costly rules, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Fees & Licensing State Budget

in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 386: Increase Vehicle Registration Fee/State Highway Patrol Pay.

HB 386 increases the annual vehicle registration fee for private passenger vehicles in North Carolina by $6.25, with the additional revenue directly funding salary raises for State Highway Patrol officers. Starting July 2025, this will support pay increases that raise starting salaries to $56,000 and top pay to $105,000 annually for experienced officers. The bill appropriates $40.4 million yearly from the General Fund to implement these salary changes. It affects all owners of private passenger vehicles registered in North Carolina.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases vehicle registration tax to fund Highway Patrol salary raises ($40.4M/year), directly allocating revenue to public safety personnel through budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds Highway Patrol salary increases ($40.4M/year) via vehicle registration fees, directly enhancing transportation safety enforcement per bill's explicit purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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