Housing

signed · North Carolina · House Jul 1, 2025

HB 737: DOI Omnibus Bill.

HB 737 eliminates mandatory 20-hour training courses for insurance producers (agents/brokers) seeking licensure in North Carolina, replacing this requirement with a competency-based assessment. The bill also clarifies rules on insurance referral fees, updates capital calculation standards for the Department of Insurance, and restricts residential leases from requiring renters insurance. Additional provisions include adjustments to Medicare supplement licensing, continuous coverage rules for drivers with surcharges, and streamlined processes for multi-dealer registration. These changes directly affect insurance professionals, insurers, and consumers through modified licensing, coverage, and fee structures.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts residential leases from requiring renters insurance, protecting tenants from added costs and burdens. Direct tenant protection under housing topic.90% confidence

in committee · North Carolina · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SB 65: Restore Down-Zoning/Buncombe Co.

SB 65 restores Buncombe County's authority to initiate down-zoning without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. This bill specifically applies to Buncombe County and its municipalities, reversing a previous law (S.L. 2024-57) that mandated such consent. The key change allows local governments to adjust zoning maps or regulations to reduce development density, limit permitted land uses, or create nonconformities without property owner approval. The law applies retroactively to December 11, 2024, restoring pre-existing zoning authority for affected ordinances.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestores authority to down-zone without owner consent, limiting housing density and development85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Property Development Zoning

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signed · North Carolina · House Jul 1, 2025

HB 762: Modernize NC Secure and Fair Enforcement (S.A.F.E.) Act/Second Mortgage Fee Act.

HB 762 modernizes North Carolina's mortgage licensing rules under the S.A.F.E. Act and adjusts fee limits for second or junior lien loans. It directly affects mortgage lenders offering these second mortgages by requiring their fees to align with federal qualified mortgage standards. The bill modifies maximum permissible fees to better match federal requirements, aiming to reduce consumer costs and improve compliance. This change applies specifically to loans secured by a second or junior lien on residential properties. The bill focuses on policy adjustments without altering licensing processes or consumer protections beyond fee structures.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingModifies second mortgage fees to align with federal standards, reducing consumer costs and improving compliance, directly lowering borrowing expenses for housing-related loans.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

in committee · North Carolina · House Feb 26, 2025

HB 195: Restore Down-Zoning Authority/Chatham County.

HB 195 restores Chatham County and its municipalities' authority to change zoning to reduce development density or permitted land uses (down-zoning) without needing written consent from all affected property owners. It specifically amends state law to remove the requirement for all property owner consent when local governments initiate down-zoning, which was previously required under a 2024 law. The bill applies exclusively to Chatham County and takes effect retroactively to December 11, 2024, meaning any down-zoning ordinances affected by the prior law will revert to their pre-December 11 status. This directly impacts property owners in Chatham County whose land might be subject to zoning changes that limit future development or uses.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestores down-zoning authority to reduce density/land use without owner consent, directly limiting new housing development and contradicting affordable housing goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Property Development Zoning

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 3, 2025

SB 198: Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Multiple Counties.

SB 198 restores local government authority to initiate "down-zoning" in Chatham, Durham, and Wake Counties without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. The bill amends state law to allow counties to reduce development density (e.g., fewer homes per acre) or limit permitted land uses (e.g., banning commercial buildings) through zoning changes, reversing a prior requirement for owner consent. This directly affects property owners and developers in those three counties by changing how zoning regulations can be updated. The law applies retroactively to December 11, 2024, and only covers the specified counties and their municipalities. It does not create new zoning rules but restores the pre-2024-57 process for local governments to adjust zoning maps.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestores down-zoning authority, reducing development density and limiting new housing construction in three counties, restricting housing supply and development opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Feb 18, 2025

SB 109: Veterans Appreciation Act.

SB 109, the Veterans Appreciation Act, increases property tax relief for disabled veterans in North Carolina by expanding the homestead exclusion to cover the value increase from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) housing grants. It directly affects disabled veterans who receive VA housing grants for service-connected disabilities, allowing them to exclude up to $45,000 of their home’s appraised value plus grant-funded improvements from property taxes. The bill adds a prequalification process, letting veterans apply in advance of purchasing a home to confirm eligibility, with county assessors required to notify applicants within 30 days. This change takes effect for property taxes on homes owned after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemption for disabled veterans, reducing their tax burden through tax exemptions as directly stated in bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax relief for disabled veterans, reducing housing costs and supporting affordability through tax exemptions for VA grant-funded homes.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax relief for disabled veterans by excluding VA grant-funded home improvements from taxable value, directly advancing veteran benefits as described.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Property Tax Property Taxes Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Feb 17, 2025

SB 95: Promote NC Sawmills.

SB 95 allows small North Carolina sawmills (producing under 1 million board feet annually) to sell ungraded lumber for use in one- and two-family homes and certain residential structures, directly affecting small sawmill operators and homebuilders. The bill requires sawmill operators to complete state-approved training, mark lumber with specific details (species, mill ID, PS20 compliance), and provide buyers with a compliance certificate. It modifies building codes to permit this ungraded lumber use while mandating code officials review structures for safety but absolving them of liability for failures related to the lumber type. The policy change aims to support small sawmills by expanding their market access under defined safety and transparency conditions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill modifies building codes to permit ungraded lumber in residential structures, potentially lowering construction costs for homebuilders and supporting housing development through material accessibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 165: Restore Down-Zoning/Union and Iredell Cos.

SB 165 restores local government authority to initiate "down-zoning" (changing zoning to restrict development density or land uses) in Union and Iredell Counties and their municipalities without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. The bill amends a law that previously mandated such consent for down-zoning actions, removing this barrier for county and municipal governments. It applies exclusively to Union and Iredell Counties and takes effect retroactively to December 11, 2024, restoring pre-existing zoning authority. This is a policy change affecting how local governments can adjust land-use regulations in those specific jurisdictions.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestores down-zoning authority, enabling restrictions on housing development density without owner consent, limiting new housing options in targeted counties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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signed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 29, 2025

SB 266: The Power Bill Reduction Act.

This bill, officially titled "An Act to Establish Exemptions from Certain Floodplain Requirements for the Replacement or Reconstruction of Structures Damaged by Historic Flood Events," corrects the misstated title "Power Bill Reduction Act." It directly affects property owners seeking to rebuild or replace structures damaged by a "historic flood event" (defined as a flood meeting or exceeding a 200-year flood standard) within the base floodplain. The key provision allows rebuilding to the same or lesser size/volume as before the flood, without adhering to newer state or local flood regulations, but prohibits increases in size/volume unless hydrologic analysis proves it won’t raise flood elevations. This exemption applies to structures lawfully established before the flood event.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill facilitates housing development by allowing property owners to rebuild damaged structures in floodplains without certain floodplain requirements, removing regulatory barriers for reconstruction after historic floods.85% confidence

in committee · North Carolina · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 161: Restore Down-Zoning Authority/Randolph County.

HB 161 restores local government authority to initiate down-zoning in Randolph County and its municipalities without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. The bill amends state law to allow counties or towns to change zoning to reduce development density, limit permitted land uses, or address nonconforming properties - without needing individual property owner approval. This directly affects property owners whose land might be subject to down-zoning changes under Randolph County or municipal zoning rules. The law applies retroactively to December 11, 2024, and takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingEnables down-zoning to reduce development density and limit land uses, directly restricting housing supply and development, opposing affordable housing goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Property Development Zoning

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