Environment

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 19, 2025

SB 324: 2025 Safe Drinking Water Act.

SB 324, the 2025 Safe Drinking Water Act, requires North Carolina's Commission for Public Health to establish safe limits for harmful chemicals in drinking water by October 2025. It directly affects all North Carolina residents by mandating maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for specific toxins like PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, hexavalent chromium, and 1,4-Dioxane - chemicals linked to cancer or serious health risks. The bill directs the Commission to base these limits on scientific evidence from other states and federal agencies, ensuring protections for vulnerable groups like children and pregnant people, while aligning with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. The law also requires annual reviews to update these limits as new health science becomes available.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates science-based MCLs for toxic water contaminants (PFAS, chromium, etc.), directly reducing pollution and protecting public health per environmental regulations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates safe drinking water limits for toxins linked to cancer/health risks, directly protecting public health through environmental regulation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Public Health

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passed · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 570: Responsible Firefighting Foam Management Act.

HB 570, the "Responsible Firefighting Foam Management Act," restricts the use of firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals for training and testing. It prohibits any person, local government, or state agency from discharging Class B firefighting foam with intentionally added PFAS for training or practice purposes. For testing, these foams are also prohibited unless required by law or an authority, and the testing facility has implemented measures to prevent environmental releases. The bill mandates the use of non-fluorinated alternatives for training and is set to become effective on December 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts PFAS-containing firefighting foam to prevent environmental pollution from hazardous chemicals, directly protecting water and soil resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Hazardous Materials

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signed · North Carolina · House Jul 9, 2025

HB 850: Interbasin Transfer Moratorium/Study.

HB 850 imposes a moratorium on approving new or expanded surface water transfers exceeding 15 million gallons per day between river basins until March 1, 2027. This directly affects water utilities, developers, or entities seeking large-scale water transfers that would move significant volumes between river systems. The bill requires the UNC Collaboratory to study and recommend updates to the current approval process, focusing on environmental equity, climate impacts on water flows, economic fairness for affected communities, and incentives for drought-resilient infrastructure. The study must address how transfers impact downstream users, river ecosystems, and potential financial burdens on lower-income areas or alternative infrastructure costs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMoratorium on large water transfers until 2027 to study environmental impacts, climate effects, and equity, directly protecting water resources and ecosystems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice

signed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 7, 2025

SB 706: County Waste Management Assistance.

SB 706 restores funding for counties to address scrap tire disposal by increasing the portion of tax revenue allocated to local governments from 50% to 75%. It directs the Department of Environmental Quality to use these funds to grant counties assistance for cleaning up scrap tire disposal sites and managing tire-related waste, prioritizing areas with severe disposal problems and financial need. The bill requires counties to demonstrate higher disposal costs than prior tax reimbursements to qualify for grants and mandates annual reporting on fund usage. This directly affects North Carolina counties struggling with scrap tire accumulation, particularly those with limited resources for waste management.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax revenue allocation to counties from 50% to 75% for waste management grants, directly enhancing fiscal support for local government services.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestores funding for scrap tire cleanup and waste management, directly addressing environmental pollution through DEQ-directed grants for disposal site remediation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Waste Management

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SB 210: Funds/Durham Co. Wastewater Utility/RTP.

SB 210 appropriates $30 million in one-time state funds to Durham County for wastewater infrastructure upgrades in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) area. The bill directly affects Durham County (as the grant recipient) and RTP businesses/developers (by improving infrastructure supporting growth). Key provisions include directing all funds specifically toward enhancing wastewater utility systems in RTP to enable economic development, with the grant effective July 1, 2025. This is a funding bill with no new regulations, solely allocating state resources for infrastructure modernization.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $30M in state funds for Durham County wastewater infrastructure, directly funding public utility development and economic growth through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wastewater infrastructure upgrades to improve pollution control and water quality in RTP, directly advancing environmental protection through improved utility systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 6, 2025

HB 293: Marine Life Stewardship Act.

HB 293, the Marine Life Stewardship Act, prohibits the farming (aquaculture) of octopus for human consumption in North Carolina. It specifically bans businesses from raising, selling, possessing, or transporting farmed octopus, while excluding wild-caught octopus and octopus used solely for non-commercial research. Violations carry daily civil penalties up to $1,000. The law directly affects aquaculture businesses and retailers handling farmed octopus products within the state.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans octopus aquaculture to protect marine ecosystems, aligns with conservation subject and stewardship intent90% confidence

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 384: 2025 Safe Drinking Water Act.

SB 384 requires North Carolina's Commission for Public Health to establish safe limits for specific toxic chemicals in drinking water by October 2025. It targets chemicals like PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, hexavalent chromium, and 1,4-Dioxane - known or suspected carcinogens - mandating limits based on scientific evidence and ensuring they do not exceed federal EPA standards. The law also requires annual reviews of new research to update these limits as needed. This directly affects all North Carolina residents who rely on public water systems, with special consideration for children, infants, and pregnant people.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires science-based limits for carcinogens (PFAS, PFOS, etc.) in drinking water, mandates annual updates, and ensures standards meet or exceed EPA, directly protecting water quality and public health.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes safe drinking water limits for carcinogens (PFAS, etc.), directly protecting public health by preventing exposure to harmful chemicals in water sources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Public Health

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 521: Community Infra. and Resilience Tax Credit.

SB 521 creates a 35% nonrefundable income tax credit for investment entities (like partnerships or S-corps) that fund small, newly formed businesses focused on community infrastructure and resilience. Eligible businesses must be under five years old, employ 25 or fewer people in North Carolina, generate $2 million or less in annual revenue, and primarily work on projects like improving roads, utilities, disaster preparedness, or sustainable energy. The credit limits total annual state spending to $5 million and caps individual credits at $100,000 per year, with unused credits carryable for up to 10 years. This policy aims to incentivize private investment in community-focused small businesses through tax benefits, not direct government funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 35% nonrefundable tax credit for infrastructure investments, reducing tax liability for qualifying entities and incentivizing community development through fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly lists 'sustainable energy' as eligible project type for tax credit, directly funding clean energy infrastructure through investment incentives.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly includes 'sustainable energy' as eligible project type, directly promoting clean energy infrastructure funding under tax credit program.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly funds road infrastructure improvements via tax credit for eligible businesses, directly supporting transportation infrastructure projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Natural Disasters Tags Small Business

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 359: Jacksonville Infrastructure Fund.

HB 359 appropriates $2 million from the state General Fund to the City of Jacksonville for water and wastewater infrastructure projects during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds are a one-time allocation specifically for the city’s water and sewer system improvements, directly affecting Jacksonville residents and local infrastructure. The bill requires the city to use the funds exclusively for these projects and takes effect on July 1, 2025. This is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes beyond the financial allocation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2M from General Fund for Jacksonville water infrastructure, directly funding public services under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds water/sewer infrastructure improvements directly supporting pollution control and water quality protection under environmental conservation priorities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 603: Funds for Trails and Greenways.

SB 603 appropriates $1.5 million from the state General Fund to the Town of Davidson for specific trail projects in Mecklenburg, Iredell, and Davidson counties. The bill allocates $1 million to construct portions of the Carolina Thread Trail connecting Davidson to existing trails in Iredell and Cabarrus Counties, and $500,000 for segments of the West Branch Nature Preserve Greenway within Davidson. These funds are designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support trail construction and connectivity. The bill does not create new regulations but provides direct funding for physical infrastructure projects benefiting local communities and outdoor recreation access.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $1.5M from state General Fund for public trail projects, directly advancing budget allocation for infrastructure under 'Appropriations' and 'Parks & Recreation Areas' subjects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds trail construction in natural areas (Carolina Thread Trail, West Branch Nature Preserve), directly supporting conservation and recreation in designated natural resource zones per bill subjects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $1.5M for trail construction (Carolina Thread Trail, West Branch Greenway), directly funding transportation infrastructure projects under parks/recreation subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Parks & Recreation

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