Environment

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 881: Per-fluoroalkyl and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances Free NC.

HB 881 bans the manufacture, use, and distribution of PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) in North Carolina, directly affecting businesses that currently use these chemicals in products like firefighting foam, non-stick coatings, or food packaging. The law requires companies discharging wastewater to disclose PFAS and 1,4-dioxane levels and remove them if feasible, while public water systems must notify customers about PFAS detected in drinking water by June 2025. It establishes civil penalties of up to $25,000 for violations, with stricter fines for repeat offenses. The bill focuses on preventing contamination and protecting public health through these concrete regulatory changes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS chemicals, requiring disclosure/removal to protect water and public health from toxic pollutants, directly strengthening environmental regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 871: North Carolina Microplastics Study Act.

HB 871, the North Carolina Microplastics Study Act, directs the North Carolina Collaboratory at UNC Chapel Hill to study the impacts of microplastics (tiny plastic particles 1 nanometer to 5 millimeters in size) in the state’s waters. The bill requires the Collaboratory to identify microplastics, research their ecological and health effects, develop standardized testing methods, and create a risk assessment framework by collaborating with state agencies like the Department of Environmental Quality. The study must produce a comprehensive report with recommendations for reducing plastic pollution, including potential policy changes, by July 2026. The $150,000 allocated funds the research, public engagement, and report development, but the bill itself does not impose new regulations or directly affect businesses or residents.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates study of microplastic pollution impacts to develop environmental risk framework, directly addressing pollution control and ecological protection.85% confidence

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 965: Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment.

HB 965 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to guarantee all North Carolinians the right to clean water, clean air, and a preserved environment, including protection of natural resources like air, water, wildlife, and soils. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, it would automatically become part of the state constitution, requiring the state to act as a trustee of natural resources for present and future generations. The amendment would not change current environmental laws but would establish a new constitutional standard that future legislation must align with. This bill must still pass through the legislature and gain voter approval to take effect.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentGuarantees constitutional right to clean environment, requiring state to protect natural resources as trustee, advancing environmental protections without altering existing laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Water Quality Wildlife

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died · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 729: Farmland Protection Act.

HB 729, titled the "Farmland Protection Act," makes several changes related to solar energy development. It reduces the property tax exclusion for solar energy electric systems from 80% to 40% of their appraised value, which will increase the taxable value of these systems. The bill also prohibits the construction of new utility-scale solar projects that are not qualifying facilities under federal law, unless they are sited on specific types of land such as brownfields, non-agricultural land, or clear-cut timberland. Additionally, it updates the effective dates for requirements regarding financial assurance and decommissioning plans for utility-scale solar projects, affecting both existing and new facilities.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces property tax exclusion for solar systems from 80% to 40%, increasing taxable value and tax burden. Direct tax policy change reducing tax benefits.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyReduces solar tax exclusion, restricts new utility-scale solar projects on farmland, directly limiting renewable energy development.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReduces tax incentives for solar energy and restricts new utility-scale projects, hindering clean energy adoption which supports environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Solar

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passed · North Carolina · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 554: Farmers Protection Act.

The Farmers Protection Act (SB 554) aims to prevent discrimination in financing against agriculture producers. It makes it unlawful for banks to deny or cancel services to farmers based on their greenhouse gas emissions, use of fossil-fuel derived fertilizer, or fossil-fuel powered machinery. If a bank has an environmental, social, or governance (ESG) commitment related to agriculture, there is a rebuttable presumption that such a denial violates the act, unless the bank proves it was solely for financial reasons. The bill requires banks to submit annual compliance reports and allows for civil penalties for violations, which are also considered an unfair or deceptive trade practice.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prevents banks from denying services based on fossil-fuel use in agriculture, opposing ESG policies that target fossil fuel dependence in farming, thus resisting energy transition efforts.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents banks from applying environmental criteria (e.g., emissions, fossil fuels) in lending decisions, weakening ESG enforcement and environmental accountability in agriculture finance.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Tags Agriculture

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passed both · North Carolina · Senate Jun 8, 2026

SB 730: Ratepayer Protection Act.

Senate Bill 730 proposes to expand North Carolina's Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (CEPS). The bill aims to include existing nuclear and large hydroelectric power facilities within the definition of what counts as clean energy. Specifically, it amends the definition of "New clean energy facility" to include nuclear energy facilities (including uprates) and fusion energy facilities placed into service on or after January 1, 2007. This change would allow electric power suppliers to use these sources to meet their state-mandated clean energy targets.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands CEPS to include nuclear/hydro as clean energy, strengthening clean energy standards under portfolio requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands CEPS to include nuclear/hydro as clean energy, promoting low-carbon power sources to advance environmental protection and reduce emissions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Nuclear Renewable Energy

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passed · North Carolina · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 605: IBT Subbasin/TMDL Transport Factor.

SB 605 makes two key changes related to water management and environmental regulations. First, it eliminates subbasin designations and removes the requirement for an Interbasin Transfer certificate for water transfers that occur between subbasins within the same major river basin, simplifying the process for water resource managers. Second, the bill revises how nutrient offset credits are calculated for wastewater permits in the Neuse River Basin. It specifies that a "TMDL transport factor" must be applied to both the permitted wastewater discharge and the nutrient offset credits, and it broadens the applicability of this calculation by removing a previous customer connection limit for local governments. The bill also directs the Department of Environmental Quality to develop new modeling for nutrient transport in the Neuse River Basin, which could lead to updated rules.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves subbasin designation requirements and Interbasin Transfer certificates, simplifying water transfers and potentially weakening oversight of environmental regulations per TMDL nutrient credit revisions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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passed · North Carolina · Senate Jun 18, 2025

SB 639: North Carolina Farm Act of 2025.

SB 639, the North Carolina Farm Act of 2025, updates agricultural water planning, addresses feral swine damage, and strengthens farm conservation protections. It requires the Department of Agriculture to revise the state’s agricultural water plan by 2026, including funding for water infrastructure, conservation practices, and flood mitigation. The bill creates a Feral Swine Working Group with industry and agency representatives to develop control strategies and report annually, while also mandating 100-foot vegetative buffers around protected farm tracts in new subdivisions. Local governments gain authority to deny development permits that would negatively impact agricultural production, directly affecting farmers, landowners, and municipal planning decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStrengthens farm conservation protections with funding for water infrastructure and conservation practices, explicitly listing 'CONSERVATION' and 'ENVIRONMENT' as subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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passed · North Carolina · House Jul 31, 2025

HB 8: NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2025.

HB 8 requires all North Carolina state departments, community colleges, and local school systems to prioritize purchasing compostable or recyclable materials for food service and supplies, where economically feasible. It mandates annual reporting on purchases of these materials and recycling collections to the Department of Environmental Quality. The bill also directs UNC's Policy Collaboratory to study food service ware impacts and requires legislative and state park pilot programs to reduce single-use food service ware. These provisions directly affect state agencies and schools responsible for procurement and waste management, aiming to reduce single-use waste through policy changes rather than bans.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates compostable/recyclable materials for food services, requires annual recycling reporting to DEQ, and directs studies/pilots to reduce waste - directly advancing conservation and pollution control.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 665: Upland Basin Permitting Reform.

SB 665 streamlines permitting for upland basins (marinas built on elevated land, not open water, that accommodate 10+ vessels) by requiring state agencies to approve applications within 60 days unless specific compliance issues are identified. Projects must meet strict water quality standards (including pre-development dissolved oxygen levels), limit wetland impacts to 5% of basin area, include 30-foot vegetated buffers, and provide bonds covering five years of maintenance costs. This law directly affects developers of these facilities by creating clear environmental requirements and faster approval timelines while aiming to protect coastal resources. The bill establishes measurable standards for development, avoiding vague environmental claims through specific, enforceable criteria.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates strict water quality standards, limits wetland impacts (5%), and requires vegetated buffers to protect ecosystems while streamlining permits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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