Labor & Employment

passed · North Carolina · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 1082: NC Right to Work Amendment.

This bill proposes adding a new section to the North Carolina Constitution to establish a "right to work" for all residents. The key provision states that a person's right to work cannot be denied based on whether they are a member of a labor union or pay union dues. If approved by voters in a 2026 referendum, the amendment would legally protect employees from being forced to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment. The bill also authorizes the state legislature to pass additional laws to define and implement these protections.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill establishes a right to work, which limits collective bargaining and restricts union organizing, weakening worker protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 993: Town of Pineville/Reserve Police.

This bill amends the charter of the Town of Pineville to allow the town to create a reserve police division in addition to any existing auxiliary police department. Under the new provisions, the town council will have the authority to set and pay compensation to reserve officers for any time they spend on active duty. The legislation directly affects the Town of Pineville and its residents by providing a legal framework for hiring and compensating part-time police officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a legal framework for hiring and compensating reserve police officers, thereby strengthening local law enforcement capacity.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes a legal framework for hiring and compensating reserve police officers, ensuring they receive payment for active duty time.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 799: Restore State Emp/Teacher Retiree Med Benefit.

This bill prevents the elimination of medical benefits for retired teachers and state employees in North Carolina who began their careers on or after January 1, 2021. It achieves this by removing previous restrictions that would have ended these benefits and applies retroactively to December 31, 2020. To cover the resulting increase in healthcare costs, the legislation appropriates two million dollars from the state's general fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The changes are scheduled to officially take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2M to fund medical benefits for retirees, directly strengthening budget allocation for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects and restores medical benefits for retired teachers, directly supporting educators and preventing benefit cuts.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects medical benefits for retired teachers and state employees and appropriates $2M to fund these healthcare costs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects retired state employees and teachers from losing medical benefits, expanding worker benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Teachers

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 1078: Omnibus Life Sciences Appropriations.

HB 1078 is an omnibus appropriations bill that provides funding to the Department of Commerce and the Department of Health and Human Services in North Carolina. The legislation allocates $10 million to the One North Carolina Small Business Account and $2 million to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center to support life science companies, university research, workforce development, and economic programs. Additionally, the bill transfers the Advisory Council on Rare Diseases from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Health and Human Services and establishes a new Life Science and Biomanufacturing Technologies Reserve Fund. The bill also details the composition, membership, and administrative structure of the rare diseases council, which includes physicians, researchers, patient representatives, and industry experts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $12M to fund life sciences, biotechnology, and economic development programs, directly strengthening state budget initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates funding to biotechnology and life sciences, supporting research and workforce development in healthcare sectors.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds workforce development and economic programs for life sciences, indirectly supporting job creation and employment standards.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Workforce Development

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 897: NC CROWN Act.

This bill, known as the North Carolina CROWN Act, expands state employment discrimination laws to explicitly protect individuals from discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, twists, and locks. By legally defining these hair styles as traits associated with race, the legislation ensures that employers cannot deny hiring, firing, or otherwise discriminate against people because of their natural hair. The act also strengthens anti-retaliation protections for employees who report discrimination under these new provisions. To support implementation, the bill appropriates $100,000 for the Department of Labor to educate both employers and employees about the law's requirements and rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by prohibiting discrimination based on hair texture, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing systemic bias.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands employment discrimination laws to protect workers' rights regarding hair texture and hairstyles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Employment Discrimination

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 1054: Government Employee Raises and Retiree Cost-of-Living Adjustment.

This bill establishes new salary schedules for public school teachers and principals in North Carolina effective for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It sets specific monthly pay rates for teachers based on years of experience and adds bonuses for those with advanced certifications or degrees, while also adjusting compensation for school support staff like nurses and counselors. Principals will receive annual salaries determined by their school's student enrollment and performance growth scores over the previous three years. Additionally, the legislation enhances sick leave benefits for state employees and provides a cost-of-living adjustment for certain retirees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new salary schedules and funding for public school teachers and staff, directly increasing appropriations for education services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes new salary schedules and bonuses for teachers and principals, directly increasing compensation and supporting educators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes new salary schedules and increases pay for public school teachers and staff, directly advancing worker compensation and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · North Carolina · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 1203: Family Support for Those Who Serve Act.

This bill expands tuition waivers at North Carolina community colleges to children of public safety workers who are injured or disabled in the line of duty. It allows children aged 17 to 24 of law enforcement officers, experienced correctional officers, and firefighters to attend classes for free if their parent is permanently and totally disabled due to a traumatic work-related injury. The waiver covers the cost of tuition for the time needed to complete the student's chosen educational program, provided they meet standard admission requirements. The law takes effect with the 2026-2027 academic year.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill supports law enforcement and correctional officers by providing financial aid to their disabled children, enhancing retention and morale within the criminal justice workforce.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands tuition waivers for children of public safety workers, directly increasing access to higher education and reducing financial barriers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands tuition waivers for children of injured public safety workers, enhancing benefits for families of those who serve.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Higher Education

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 983: TIPs Tax Deduction.

This North Carolina legislation allows employees who receive tips to deduct those earnings from their state income tax. The bill amends the state tax code to permit taxpayers to subtract tip amounts reported to their employers from their adjusted gross income. This change applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. By adding this specific category to the list of allowable deductions, the measure reduces the taxable income for workers subject to this reporting requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allows tip earners to deduct tips from taxable income, providing tax relief and reducing tax burden for workers.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allows tip-earning workers to deduct tips from state taxable income, directly increasing their take-home pay and financial benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Minimum Wage

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1163: Workforce Act of 2026.

This bill, titled the Workforce Act of 2026, provides funding and policy changes to expand workforce development programs in North Carolina. It allocates $3.1 million to the Community Colleges System Office to support the ApprenticeshipNC program, which helps connect employers with learners through work-based training. The legislation also directs the Department of Commerce to maintain a list of industry-valued credentials and collect data on wages and job outcomes to better align education with labor market needs. Additionally, it increases financial aid for short-term workforce development grants to help students pursue credentials that are not eligible for federal funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $3.1M to expand workforce development programs, directly increasing funding for public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $3.1M to expand workforce development and apprenticeship programs, enhancing educational access and training.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates $3.1M to expand workforce development and apprenticeship programs, strengthening worker skills and employment opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Student Financial Aid Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 874: Licensing Certain Fire Safety Equipment.

This North Carolina bill requires businesses and individuals to obtain state licenses or permits to install, repair, or service specific fire safety equipment. The regulations apply to portable fire extinguishers and automatic fire suppression systems used in kitchens, industrial settings, and specialized hazard areas. To comply, providers must attach official service tags to equipment and may be required to pass a competency exam administered by the State Fire Marshal. Exemptions exist for employees working on their own company's property and for routine visual inspections conducted by fire officials or insurance inspectors.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates licensing and competency exams for fire safety equipment, directly enhancing workplace safety standards and protecting workers from potential hazards.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Tags Licensing

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