Environment

passed · North Carolina · Senate Jun 29, 2026

SB 1047: Regulatory Reform Act of 2026.

SB 1047, titled the Regulatory Reform Act of 2026, organizes and updates North Carolina's laws regarding Guaranteed Energy Savings Contracts (GESC) to provide regulatory relief for citizens. The bill primarily affects state and local governmental units by establishing a structured process for these contracts, which allow governments to pay for energy-saving upgrades based on actual savings rather than upfront costs. Key provisions require officials to publish requests for qualifications, select providers based on specific criteria like past performance and technical feasibility, and conduct independent audits to verify projected energy savings. Additionally, the legislation sets clear thresholds for terminating projects if the actual savings do not meet the guaranteed estimates, ensuring accountability in public spending.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes energy efficiency via Guaranteed Energy Savings Contracts, reducing costs and advancing conservation.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes energy efficiency via Guaranteed Energy Savings Contracts, reducing energy consumption and supporting conservation goals.75% confidence

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1156: Wastewater Design Flow Modifications.

This bill allows wastewater treatment system operators in North Carolina to calculate sewage flow rates for new homes at a lower standard of 55 gallons per day per bedroom, provided the state environmental department approves the change based on local usage data. Under the new rules, operators must still ensure that reducing the flow rate does not harm public health or the environment, while systems without allocated capacity for future connections must continue using the standard rate of 75 gallons per day per bedroom. To support these changes, the state will allocate $10,000 to the Department of Environmental Quality in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to review and evaluate the proposed lower flow rates. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill lowers wastewater flow standards, potentially increasing pollution and weakening environmental protections despite health safeguards.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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died · North Carolina · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 1113: Shellfish Leasing Moratoria.

HB 1113 extends a ban on new shellfish and aquaculture leases in the New Hanover County area until July 1, 2026. This restriction applies to any lease applications received by the state but not approved before July 1, 2019, covering a specific coastal zone defined by geographic coordinates and landmarks. The bill also allocates $10,000 to fund public education and notifications about this extension. Finally, the law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and will govern how the Department of Environmental Quality reviews future lease requests.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends a moratorium on new shellfish leases to protect coastal resources and allow for environmental recovery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 977: Moratorium on New Coastal Fishing Regulations.

This bill establishes a temporary pause on new rules that would restrict commercial and recreational fishing in North Carolina's coastal waters. It directly affects fishermen, seafood businesses, and anglers by preventing state agencies from lowering catch limits, shortening seasons, closing fishing areas, or adding new reporting and gear restrictions. The legislation also stops any changes to existing harvest quotas and restores recreational fishing regulations to the standards that were in place on January 1, 2019. These measures remain in effect until the state completes a comprehensive study on its fisheries and reviews the findings. The only exceptions allow for regulatory changes required by federal laws or conditions attached to federal funding.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill imposes a moratorium on new regulations restricting fishing, preventing catch limits from being lowered or seasons shortened, which weakens environmental protections for coastal resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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died · North Carolina · Senate Jun 17, 2026

SB 1009: Repeal Hardened Structure Ban.

This bill removes the current prohibition on building hardened structures like seawalls and bulkheads along North Carolina's coast, allowing property owners and developers to construct them. Instead of an outright ban, the legislation requires the state Commission to create rules that permit these projects only if they do not cause significant harm to private property or public beaches, while also weighing the benefits of protecting homes and infrastructure. To support this change, the bill appropriates $850,000 for a university research group to update the state's coastal management plan, which will assess erosion risks and recommend maintenance schedules for inlets. The new regulations will take effect in September 2026, applying to any construction applications submitted on or after that date.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes a ban on hardened coastal structures, which typically weakens natural erosion defenses and prioritizes infrastructure over environmental conservation.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill permits construction of hardened structures like seawalls to protect homes and infrastructure from erosion, directly supporting housing preservation.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1187: Save Our Beaches.

This bill, titled "Save Our Beaches," stops a specific rule that would have allowed the use of wheat straw bales for sand fencing in North Carolina's ocean hazard areas. By disapproving this rule, the legislation ensures that beach restoration projects in these zones cannot rely on this particular type of temporary barrier. The change directly affects coastal management agencies and contractors who might have planned to use wheat straw bales for erosion control. Ultimately, the bill leaves the decision of which materials are permitted for sand fencing to existing regulations rather than the new wheat straw provision.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill blocks a rule allowing wheat straw bales for beach erosion control, potentially limiting coastal protection options and weakening environmental safeguards.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1129: Balcony Solar.

HB 1129 allows residential customers in North Carolina to install and operate small, portable solar panels up to 1.2 kilowatts without needing approval or paying extra fees from their electric power supplier. The bill requires these devices to be safety-certified, comply with electrical codes, and include a feature that stops them from sending power to the grid during an outage, while also exempting them from standard net metering rules. Additionally, the law prevents landlords of larger rental properties from blocking tenants from placing these devices on their units, provided the installation does not block emergency exits or cause property damage.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes residential solar adoption by removing barriers, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes renewable energy adoption by allowing residential solar panels without fees, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes renewable energy technology by allowing residential solar panel installation without fees or approval.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1020: Affordable Housing Efficiency Grant Program.

This bill establishes the Affordable Housing Efficiency Grant Program in North Carolina to provide funding for energy efficiency and electric upgrades in affordable multifamily housing buildings. The program targets residential complexes with at least 50% of units reserved for low-income households that have been in service for at least 15 years, with a focus on projects located in underserved communities. Eligible buildings can receive grants of up to $0.75 per square foot to cover costs for measures such as heat pumps, electric water heaters, insulation, and related planning or health improvements, provided they maintain their affordability status. The Department of Environmental Quality will manage the program using $5 million in recurring state funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, while recipients must report annually on energy savings and other outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new grant program funded by appropriations to provide financial assistance for energy efficiency upgrades in affordable housing.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes a grant program to fund energy efficiency upgrades in affordable housing, directly advancing energy conservation and efficiency goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds energy efficiency and electric upgrades in affordable housing, directly promoting conservation and reducing energy consumption.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes a grant program to fund energy efficiency upgrades specifically for affordable multifamily housing, directly strengthening and funding the housing topic area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Affordable Housing

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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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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 1047: North Carolina Microplastics Study Act.

HB 1047, the North Carolina Microplastics Study Act, directs the North Carolina Collaboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study the presence and impacts of microplastics in the state's waterways. Funded with $150,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the bill requires the Collaboratory to identify plastic particles, assess their environmental and health risks, and develop strategies to prevent future pollution and reverse existing harm. The Collaboratory must work with state agencies and stakeholders to create a prioritized research plan and standardized detection methods, ultimately submitting a comprehensive report with findings and policy recommendations by July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $150,000 in state funding for a microplastics study, directly advancing the appropriations and budgeting topic.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds a study to assess microplastic impacts and develop strategies to prevent pollution and reverse environmental harm.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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