This bill strengthens traffic safety and law enforcement in Mecklenburg County by funding 12 new State Trooper positions and five additional magistrates, effective in 2026. It increases fines for failing to stop for school buses and expands the use of vehicle registration records as initial proof of driver responsibility in such cases. The legislation also restricts public access to video footage from highway cameras, allowing disclosure only to specific individuals involved in the recorded incident or their legal representatives. Furthermore, the bill raises penalties for moving over violations and street takeover incidents, establishes reckless boating as a criminal offense, and increases fines for assaulting public transit workers.
This bill creates a new grant program in North Carolina to fund public car and shuttle services in rural counties with low population density. Eligible recipients, such as counties and transit authorities, can use the funds to support commuter travel during peak hours or provide on-demand rides for medical appointments and grocery shopping during off-peak times. To receive funding, applicants must secure a local match of at least 50% and ensure that employers contribute a minimum of 20% for peak-hour commuter services. The program is financed by a $30 million appropriation from the Highway Fund and is scheduled to begin 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.
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.
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.
The Hands Free NC Act makes it illegal to hold or use wireless devices (like cell phones, tablets, or smartwatches) while driving on public roads in North Carolina, with exceptions for emergencies (e.g., calling 911) or certain professionals (like police or paramedics) performing official duties. It specifically prohibits texting, watching videos, or manually entering text, and imposes fines starting at $100 for first offenses (increasing to $200 for third offenses within 36 months), with insurance points added for repeat violations. Drivers under 18 are banned from using devices while driving (except for pre-entered navigation), and school bus drivers face misdemeanor charges for violations. The law also updates driver education programs to emphasize safe device use as a way to reduce accidents.
HB 324 appropriates $800,000 from the Highway Fund to the Greensboro Transit Agency for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds are specifically allocated to $500,000 for the North/South Crossmax Orange Bus Route and $300,000 to launch a pilot program transporting high school juniors and seniors to Guilford Technical Community College campuses. This bill directly affects Greensboro Transit Agency operations and Guilford County high school students participating in the college transportation pilot. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, if enacted.
SB 519, the "Transportation for the Future Act," reorganizes how North Carolina allocates transportation funds to prioritize sustainable projects like bus rapid transit, commuter rail, and bicycle/pedestrian improvements. It caps state funding for commuter or light rail projects at 10% of either the regional allocation or total project costs, and requires at least 20% of funds to go toward non-highway projects. The bill categorizes projects into "Statewide Strategic," "Regional Impact," and "Division Needs" groups, using specific scoring criteria (e.g., safety, economic growth, multimodal access) to rank and fund them. Local input and federal funding rules are also clarified to ensure transparency in project selection. This directly affects local governments, transit agencies, and communities seeking to build safer, more connected transportation systems.
SB 411 changes how school bus camera footage is used in traffic enforcement and extends contracts for these cameras. It makes footage from automated school bus safety cameras "prima facie evidence" (meaning it automatically counts as proof) that a driver failed to stop for a bus displaying stop signals, directly affecting drivers who violate this rule. The bill also extends the maximum contract length for local school boards to partner with private vendors for these cameras from 3 to 5 years, with one possible 5-year renewal. These changes apply to offenses committed after December 1, 2025, and new contracts after July 1, 2025.
SB 612 requires all new school buses purchased by North Carolina school districts to be electric starting in the 2026-2027 school year, with the goal of converting the entire school bus fleet to electric by the end of the 2049-2050 school year. It also creates a grant program to help small counties purchase electric "activity buses" (used for field trips and events) by covering up to 50% of the cost. The bill appropriates $350 million for general school bus conversions and $50 million specifically for the activity bus grant program, beginning in 2026-2027. This directly affects all school districts, with additional financial support targeted at smaller counties eligible for supplemental funding.
