HB 948, the P.A.V.E. Act, amends North Carolina law to allow Mecklenburg County to levy an additional 0.5% local sales tax specifically for public transportation systems. The bill defines "public transportation system" broadly to include buses, transit facilities, bike/pedestrian infrastructure, and automated transport tunnels, while excluding general roads. Funds collected must supplement, not replace, existing public transit funding and can only be used for financing, building, operating, or maintaining these systems. The tax proceeds would be distributed monthly to Mecklenburg County and its public transportation authorities per a financial plan, with the bill taking effect only if Mecklenburg levies this tax.
HB 472, the "Commercial Vehicle and Cargo Protection Act," introduces new regulations for commercial motor vehicles and their cargo. The bill prohibits the immobilization of commercial motor vehicles using devices like boots, making such actions a misdemeanor. It also requires towing companies performing nonconsensual or government-initiated tows to promptly return commercial cargo to its owner or their designee. Furthermore, if a towed trailer contains commercial cargo, the tower must allow it to be exchanged for a different trailer of equal or better condition.
HB 217 requires individuals aged 18 and older who are applying for a North Carolina driver's license and are not licensed in another state or haven't completed a state driver education course to complete a mandatory alcohol and drug abuse awareness course. This also applies to applicants licensed in other countries. The three-hour course, available online or in person, will cover the effects of substance abuse on driving, state traffic laws, and high-risk driving behaviors. Third-party vendors will offer these courses under the Division's oversight, and participants will pay a fee.
HB 275 increases penalties for drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to blind or partially blind pedestrians using a white cane (white or red-tipped) or a guide dog. It requires drivers to come to a full stop, leave a clear path, and remain stopped until the pedestrian has crossed at both uncontrolled intersections and signal-controlled crossings where the pedestrian is already moving when lights change. This bill directly affects drivers operating vehicles in North Carolina and blind/partially blind pedestrians using visible signals. The penalty for violating this law becomes a Class 2 misdemeanor, effective December 1, 2026.
HB 47, the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part I, allocates $524 million from the Helene Fund to support recovery efforts in North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. The bill directs funds to specific programs including home reconstruction ($120 million), agricultural crop loss assistance ($200 million), road and bridge repairs ($100 million), small business infrastructure grants ($55 million), debris removal ($20 million), fire department equipment ($10 million), and tourism promotion ($4 million). These resources directly assist residents, farmers, local governments, and businesses in designated hurricane-affected counties by addressing immediate rebuilding needs and supporting economic recovery. The bill requires programs to align with federal disaster recovery guidelines to maximize potential federal reimbursement, with reporting requirements for certain initiatives.
