This bill, titled the Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2026, allocates state funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover the daily operations of North Carolina's government agencies, departments, and institutions. It distributes money from various sources, including the General Fund, the State Highway Fund, and the Highway Trust Fund, to support essential services such as transportation maintenance and federal block grant programs. The legislation also incorporates existing budget rules and specifies that its provisions apply only to the 2026-2027 period, with any unused funds reverting to the state at the end of the fiscal year.
This bill allocates $2.7 million from the Highway Fund to North Carolina's Department of Transportation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are designated to purchase and install traffic signal preemption technology, which enables emergency vehicles to communicate with traffic lights to change signals in their favor. This system aims to reduce response times for first responders and enhance safety at intersections by prioritizing their passage. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, and directly impacts the state's transportation infrastructure and emergency services.
This bill creates a special fund within the state's Highway Fund to provide financial relief to airport workers in North Carolina who lose pay due to federal funding lapses. The program offers interest-free loans to eligible airports, which then distribute funds to Transportation Security Officers and Air Traffic Controllers who have not been paid for at least 14 consecutive days. These loans are designed to be automatically repaid when the federal government issues back pay to the affected workers. The state has appropriated $25 million for this purpose, and the Department of Transportation will oversee the fund's administration and reporting requirements.
This bill directs state funding to several nonprofit organizations and entities in Mecklenburg County for specific projects during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allocates money to construct a new main library, complete a community health center, plan a highway interchange, support affordable housing, fund operational costs for a community center, and improve facilities at a nature museum. The funds are drawn from various state accounts, including the General Fund and the Highway Fund, and the legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 1062 directs the North Carolina Department of Transportation to conduct a study on improving commuter transportation in the Piedmont Triad region, specifically focusing on Winston-Salem, High Point, and Greensboro. The bill requires the study to evaluate the feasibility of a commuter rail system while also considering other options like bus rapid transit, regional bus networks, and roadway expansions. It mandates an analysis of funding sources, governance structures for a potential regional transit authority, and the economic impacts of various transportation modes through 2050. The legislation appropriates $250,000 for this study, which must be completed and reported to state committees by December 29, 2026.
This bill authorizes the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles to issue certificates of title specifically for off-road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and utility vehicles. Owners of these vehicles can apply for a title by submitting a form with personal details and vehicle information, while paying the standard fee. The legislation clarifies that these vehicles are not eligible for road registration or transfer of registration but will receive a title to establish ownership. This change takes effect on October 1, 2026, providing a formal way to document ownership for these off-road machines without allowing them on public roads.
HB 1091, known as the DWI Modernization Act of 2026, updates North Carolina laws regarding impaired driving to improve enforcement, increase penalties, and provide clearer procedures for drivers. The bill requires magistrates to provide written explanations when dismissing DWI charges, ensuring officers must justify their probable cause decisions based on specific test results and observations. It also adjusts fees for license restoration, increases fines for repeat offenders, and mandates that transportation network drivers meet the same sobriety standards as commercial bus drivers. Additionally, the legislation makes it a felony for adults to help minors obtain alcohol if that minor causes serious injury, while also clarifying the immediate revocation process for drivers who refuse chemical tests.
HB 1084 clarifies the legal definition of electric bicycles in North Carolina by categorizing them into three classes based on motor power and speed limits, while also granting cities and counties the authority to create their own safety rules. Under this bill, electric bikes are generally allowed on roads and bike paths, but local governments can restrict their use on sidewalks or trails, set speed limits, and require helmets for riders under 18 on certain classes. Additionally, the legislation allocates $100,000 to the Department of Transportation to fund a public awareness campaign focused on electric bicycle safety and proper usage.
This bill, known as the Economic Empowerment for Tier One Counties Act, allocates $400 million from the state's General Fund to support specific counties in North Carolina designated as "development tier one areas." The Department of Commerce will distribute these funds as grants to eligible counties for projects focused on self-sufficiency, infrastructure improvements, education, or workforce development, with no single county able to receive more than $10 million. To receive funding, counties must submit a proposal detailing their plans, which the Department must approve before any money is released, and counties must submit annual reports on how they use the funds. The legislation also includes a provision requiring counties to repay any grants they receive if they are later found to be ineligible.
This bill, known as the Mike Clampitt 1st Responder Tax Fairness Act, aims to expand tax exemptions for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads in North Carolina. Specifically, it allows these independent groups, which have two or fewer paid employees and are already exempt from state income tax, to avoid paying a highway use tax on specific emergency vehicles like fire trucks, forest firefighting units, and other emergency service vehicles. The change applies to vehicles when a certificate of title is issued on or after July 1, 2026, ensuring these organizations can acquire necessary equipment without incurring this particular tax. By broadening the existing exemption, the legislation directly benefits volunteer responders who operate outside of local government units.
