This North Carolina bill removes state funding limits on light rail and commuter rail projects and allocates money for rail safety. It amends existing statutes to allow the Department of Transportation to provide more than the current ten percent cap on state funding for these rail initiatives. Additionally, the legislation directs one million dollars from the Highway Fund to the Department of Transportation specifically for safety and security measures on the CATS Blue Lynx rail line. The changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill authorizes the North Carolina General Assembly to allocate funding for state agencies and departments for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It distributes money from the General Fund, Highway Fund, and federal block grants to cover current operations and maintenance costs. Unused funds are required to revert to the state treasury at the end of the fiscal year unless otherwise specified by law. The act becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and applies specifically to the 2026-2027 budget period.
This bill increases law enforcement and judicial resources in Mecklenburg County by funding 12 additional State Trooper positions and five new magistrates, effective July 1, 2025. It also raises minimum fines for drivers who fail to stop for school buses and establishes vehicle registration records as preliminary evidence of who was driving during such violations. Additionally, the bill expands the operating hours of the Metrolina Transportation Management Center and creates new rules for accessing highway camera footage, limiting public disclosure to specific individuals directly involved in incidents captured by the cameras.
HB 252, the Steele Creek Investment and Improvement Act, allocates $1.25 million in one-time state funds for community projects in Mecklenburg County’s Steele Creek area. It directs $250,000 to Steele Creek Community Place, Inc. for wellness programs focused on economic opportunity, health, and mental health; $500,000 to Steele Creek Fire and Rescue for equipment and facilities; and $500,000 to the NC Department of Transportation for a traffic study on Shopton Road West. The bill directly supports Steele Creek residents - particularly those in unincorporated areas lacking municipal services - and local nonprofits. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, with no policy changes beyond funding allocations.
SB 38 appropriates $51 million from the North Carolina General Fund to Hertford County for economic development, directly affecting the county and its Rural Development Authority (RDA). The bill allocates $40 million for constructing a public industrial dock and barge at the Flowers site in Hertford County, and $11 million for road construction at that same location. Funds remain available until June 30, 2027, rather than reverting at year-end, and must be used solely for these specified projects. The bill, titled "Hertford County Economic Development," requires no further legislative action to take effect as a funding measure.
SB 257, the 2025 Appropriations Act, allocates funding for North Carolina's state agencies, departments, and institutions for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. It provides budget authority from the General Fund, Highway Fund, and Highway Trust Fund to cover current operations, maintenance, and specific programs like those managed by the Department of Transportation. The bill also includes federal block grant funding for health and human services (DHHS) and other designated programs. This funding measure directly affects all state entities receiving these appropriations and becomes effective July 1, 2025.
HB 927 allocates $31.7 million in state funds to Durham City and County for specific projects in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides $30 million for Durham County to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Research Triangle Park, $500,000 for city park maintenance, and $500,000 for repairing rural roads in Durham County. The bill also funds court system modernization, including $503,481 for eCourts staffing and $500,000 for a legal support center to improve access to justice. Additionally, it requires the Department of Transportation to study road funding criteria for rural areas to ensure equitable project prioritization. These funds directly support Durham residents through enhanced infrastructure, public services, and court efficiency.
HB 662 provides $40.48 million over two years for salary increases to North Carolina State Highway Patrol officers based on experience and rank, with starting pay at $56,000 and top ranks reaching $224,612 annually. It requires the Patrol to create policies allowing officers to take secondary jobs (e.g., security work) without conflicts of interest or performance issues, effective July 2025. The bill also allocates $3.25 million for bulletproof glass on all Highway Patrol and Capitol Police vehicles and $643,150 for infrastructure at the Huntersville station. These changes directly affect current and retired Highway Patrol members, aiming to improve recruitment, retention, and officer safety through concrete funding and policy adjustments.
HB 257 allocates $185.2 million in one-time state funds for specific infrastructure and facility projects in Scotland and Hoke counties, along with the cities of Laurinburg, Gibson, and Wagram, and St. Andrews University. The bill directs funding for water and sewer systems, courthouse construction, law enforcement facilities, workforce training centers, social services buildings, fire department improvements, and road repairs. It specifically targets nonrecurring 2025-2026 fiscal year funds for projects like a new sheriff's office in Hoke County, a courthouse/jail in Scotland County, and water system upgrades in Laurinburg. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not create new policy but provides state funding for pre-planned local projects.
SB 609 allocates $1.25 million in one-time state funds for Steele Creek community projects in Mecklenburg County, directly benefiting residents in this rapidly growing unincorporated area. The bill provides $250,000 to a nonprofit for community health initiatives (focusing on mobility, wellness, family support, and mental health), $500,000 to the Steele Creek Fire and Rescue Service for emergency equipment and facilities, and $500,000 to the state DOT for a traffic study on Shopton Road West. These funds aim to address infrastructure and service gaps as Steele Creek’s population has grown over 70% in 15 years. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, with all funding directed to specific projects for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
