NCPoliSearch — NC Legislation Made Simple

North Carolina Border Protection Act

This bill requires North Carolina state law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, restricts state-funded benefits and housing assistance to legally authorized residents, verifies immigration status for unemployment benefits, removes liability protections for local governments that adopt sanctuary policies, and prohibits UNC universities from limiting immigration law enforcement on campus.

Senate2026-06-24

S227Passed

Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education

This bill prohibits North Carolina public schools from teaching, promoting, or requiring professional development related to what it defines as "divisive concepts" — including ideas that individuals should feel guilt based on race or sex, that meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist, or that character traits should be ascribed to people based on race or sex. Schools must certify annual compliance and cannot maintain offices or employ staff whose primary duties involve promoting these concepts or discriminatory practices.

Senate2026-06-24

S889Passed

Property Tax Reappraisal Moratorium

This bill delays the use of new property values from 2026 reappraisals in counties with populations over 15,000 for the 2026-2027 tax year, requiring them to use the previous schedule of values instead. Starting in 2027-2028, counties will use the 2026 reappraisal values going forward. The bill also requires county assessors to pay a $20 examination fee to the Department of Revenue.

Senate2026-06-19

S587Engrossed

Wake Surfing Safely

This bill prohibits wake surfing within 200 feet of shorelines, structures, moored vessels, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and swimmers. Violators would face a Class 1 misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $100. The law would take effect December 1, 2026.

Senate2026-06-17

S1083Passed

Daniel Johnson (Senate; Transportation)

This is a Senate resolution that confirms Daniel Johnson's appointment as Secretary of the Department of Transportation. Senate confirmation is required for this cabinet-level position, and the resolution officially approves his nomination.

Senate2026-06-09

S1084Introduced

Reduce Early Voting Period

This bill reduces the early voting period for North Carolina elections from the current period (beginning the third Thursday before an election) to a shorter period (beginning the second Thursday before an election). It also standardizes early voting periods for special elections and municipal elections to 10 consecutive days.

Senate2026-05-22

S1080Passed

Lower Taxes for All NC

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would lower North Carolina's maximum income tax rate from 7% to 3.5%. The amendment would be submitted to voters in the November 2026 election, and if approved, would take effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.

Senate2026-05-21

S1082Engrossed

NC Right to Work Amendment

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would protect workers' rights to employment without being required to join or pay dues to labor unions. If approved by voters in November 2026, it would establish as state policy that employment cannot be denied based on union membership or non-membership.

Senate2026-05-20

S1081Introduced

Constitutional Right to Farm

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would add a new section to the North Carolina Constitution explicitly protecting the right of people to engage in farming and forestry activities, including crop cultivation, livestock raising, dairy and apiary production, and timber harvesting. The amendment would be subject to voter approval in the November 2026 general election.

Senate2026-05-18

S1010Introduced

FUTURE NC Infrastructure Act

This bill establishes the North Carolina Infrastructure Investment Commission, a 10-member advisory body tasked with developing a comprehensive 20-year statewide infrastructure plan covering transportation, water, utilities, and resiliency needs. The Commission will evaluate infrastructure priorities and recommend funding strategies, then dissolve after submitting its final plan by March 31, 2028.

Senate2026-05-18

S991Introduced

Community College Workforce Readiness Act

This bill appropriates $3.85 million in recurring funds to expand workforce training programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across up to 25 community colleges, $4.9 million in nonrecurring funds to implement digital credential systems statewide, and directs ApprenticeshipNC to develop an expedited pathway for apprentices to become teachers.

Senate2026-05-13

S1075Introduced

Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Military Counties

This bill restores the ability of local governments in five military-host counties (Craven, Carteret, Onslow, Jones, and Lenoir) to reduce zoning allowances on property without requiring permission from all affected property owners. A 2024 state law had required unanimous property owner consent for such 'down-zoning' changes, and this bill creates an exception for these specific counties.

Senate2026-05-06

S986Introduced

Workforce Act of 2026

The Workforce Act of 2026 appropriates approximately $8.85 million to expand North Carolina's workforce development programs, including apprenticeships, industry-recognized credentials, short-term training grants, and career information resources. The bill also funds technology improvements to make it easier for students to transfer credits between colleges and universities.

Senate2026-05-05

S1019Introduced

Grid Utilization

This bill requires North Carolina electric utilities to submit detailed reports analyzing how efficiently they use their existing power grid infrastructure and to propose ways to improve that efficiency through alternatives like energy storage and distributed generation. The Utilities Commission will evaluate these reports and set performance targets to help utilities better utilize current grid assets.

Senate2026-05-04

S939Introduced

Drivers Education Modifications

This bill requires the Division of Motor Vehicles to provide free printed driver license handbooks to public schools for driver education programs, modifies regulations for commercial driver training schools, extends instructor license renewal periods from 2 to 4 years, and establishes continuing education requirements for instructors. The bill also appropriates $100,000 to the Division of Motor Vehicles to implement these changes.

Senate2026-04-30

S840Introduced

Teacher Licensure Modifications

This bill removes testing requirements for entry into teacher preparation programs, allows teachers to pass licensing exams within their first three years of teaching instead of before, permits teachers with positive student growth data to skip exams for permanent licensure, and streamlines out-of-state teacher licensing by requiring only three years of experience and good standing rather than additional testing.

Senate2026-04-29

S851Introduced

America's Semiquincentennial License Plate

This bill authorizes North Carolina's Division of Motor Vehicles to create and issue a special license plate commemorating America's 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial), featuring the phrase 'America 250' and related imagery. Vehicle owners would be able to voluntarily purchase this plate if they choose to.

Senate2026-04-29

S861Introduced

Cut State Gov. Jobs Vacant 24 Months or More

This bill requires the state to eliminate job positions that have remained unfilled for 24 months or longer, effective July 1, 2026. The money saved from eliminating these positions will be held in a budget reserve for future legislative appropriation, with certain exceptions for positions held by court order, federally funded, or deemed critical for emergency response.

Senate2026-04-29

S860Introduced

Nonprofit Fundraising Sales Tax Exemption

This bill provides sales tax exemptions for certain nonprofit organizations and expands existing exemptions. It exempts diapers prescribed by Medicaid providers, exempts fundraising events held by nonprofits from entertainment tax, allows nonprofits to lease (rather than only own) property used for low-income housing and still qualify for property tax exemptions, and establishes a process for nonprofits to obtain sales tax exemption numbers with an annual cap of $31.7 million in state exemptions and $13.3 million in local exemptions.

Senate2026-04-29

S864Introduced

Safe and Responsible AI in Schools Act

This bill requires North Carolina schools to teach artificial intelligence literacy to students in grades K-12, establish AI use policies across all public school systems, create a framework for evaluating AI educational tools, and provide $500,000 in funding for educator training on responsible AI use through NC State University's Friday Institute.

Senate2026-04-29

S845Introduced

Luggage for Children Placed in Foster Care

This bill requires North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services to provide new luggage (suitcases, duffel bags, or backpacks) to children entering or currently in foster care when they are removed from a household. The bill appropriates $142,000 in recurring annual funds and $335,880 in one-time funds starting in fiscal year 2026-2027, and requires annual reporting on luggage distribution and any instances where disposable bags were used instead.

Senate2026-04-28

S847Introduced

Tyler's Law

Tyler's Law requires that all apparent suicide deaths in North Carolina undergo a full investigation before being officially classified as suicide, including interviews, gunshot residue testing (when applicable), and completion of medical examiner duties. The bill also increases the fee paid to medical examiners for each investigation from $200 to $400 and appropriates $579,000 in state funding to cover the increased costs to counties.

Senate2026-04-28

S833Introduced

Restore Down-Zoning Char/Meck & Others

This bill restores the ability of local governments in Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville to initiate down-zoning (reducing the allowed density or permitted uses of property) without requiring written consent from all affected property owners. It reverses a restriction imposed in December 2024 and allows these changes to take effect retroactively.

Senate2026-04-27

S829Introduced

Drivers License Reciprocity/Taiwan

This bill clarifies that North Carolina's Commissioner of Motor Vehicles can enter into reciprocity agreements with foreign nations and directs the commissioner to negotiate an agreement with Taiwan to recognize each other's non-commercial driver's licenses. The bill requires the commissioner to first verify that Taiwan and North Carolina have comparable driver testing standards, and appropriates $5,000 for a public awareness campaign.

Senate2026-04-23

S816Introduced

Child. of Wartime Vets Sch'ship Funds & Flex

This bill appropriates $11 million to expand the Children of Wartime Veterans Scholarship program. It provides $1 million for the 2025-2026 academic year to restore reduced scholarship amounts, allocates $10 million in recurring funds starting 2026-2027, and doubles the number of available Class II and Class III scholarships from 100 to 200 recipients per class for 2026-2027.

Senate2026-04-23

S797Introduced

Hands Free NC

Hands Free NC replaces existing distracted driving laws with a comprehensive ban on using wireless communication devices while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers cannot hold devices in their hands, watch videos, or text, with exceptions for emergency calls and certain professionals performing official duties. Violations result in fines ($100-$200) and potential insurance points, with stricter penalties for school bus operators and repeat offenders.

Senate2026-04-22

S50Vetoed

Freedom to Carry NC

This bill allows North Carolina citizens age 18 and older to carry concealed handguns without a permit, while still offering optional permits for reciprocity when traveling to other states. The bill maintains restrictions for people ineligible to possess firearms (such as convicted felons, domestic violence offenders, and those adjudicated mentally ill), increases line-of-duty death benefits for law enforcement families from $100,000 to $150,000, enhances penalties for assaulting emergency and law enforcement personnel, creates new felony charges for felons possessing or discharging firearms during felonies, and establishes a scholarship program for children of permanently disabled or killed law enforcement and first responder officers.

Senate2026-04-06

S479Passed

SCRIPT Act

The SCRIPT Act is comprehensive pharmacy legislation with multiple parts that regulate pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), require transparency in drug pricing and rebates, establish pharmacy of choice protections, create licensing requirements for pharmacy service organizations, strengthen pharmacy audit protections, and require consumers receive benefits from prescription drug rebates. The law takes effect gradually between October 2025 and January 2027.

Senate2025-07-09

S754Engrossed

School Calendar Flexibility:A New Alternative

This bill provides North Carolina local school boards with flexibility in setting school start and end dates while establishing enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance. It allows boards to choose between two calendar options (starting no earlier than August 26 or August 19) and creates reporting requirements, state oversight procedures, and allows private citizens to sue school boards for calendar violations.

Senate2025-05-05

S291Introduced

Regulation of Short-Term Rentals

This bill prevents North Carolina cities from banning short-term rentals or imposing certain restrictions on them, while allowing cities to regulate short-term rentals through permitting, occupancy limits, parking requirements, and zoning compliance. The bill aims to protect property owners' rights to rent their homes while maintaining some local oversight through health and safety standards.

Senate2025-03-17

S290Introduced

NC REINS Act

The NC REINS Act (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act) increases legislative oversight of state agency regulations by requiring public objections from 10 or more people to delay a rule's effective date pending potential legislative disapproval, and mandating that rules with an estimated cost of $1 million or more over 12 months must be approved by the General Assembly before taking effect.

Senate2025-03-17

S126Introduced

Zero-Based Budgeting

This bill requires North Carolina state agencies to use zero-based budgeting on a rotating schedule, starting in 2025. Under this approach, agencies must justify all spending from scratch rather than basing budgets on previous years' appropriations, and must document the costs, outcomes, and necessity of each activity they perform.

Senate2025-02-24

S31Introduced

The Wells Act

The Wells Act directs the Legislative Library to request documentation and activity updates from all state boards, committees, and commissions. Any that don't respond within 120 days or haven't met in the past 12 months will be added to a list submitted to the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee, which will then recommend legislation to repeal these inactive entities.

Senate2025-02-11

S48Introduced

Access to Sports and Extracurriculars for All

This bill allows students from public schools without certain sports or extracurricular programs, as well as private school and homeschool students, to participate in those activities at nearby public high schools. Schools can charge reasonable fees to non-enrolled students, and local school boards must publish their fee schedules online by October 15 each year.

Senate2025-02-05

S14Introduced

Constitutional Amendment/Repeal Literacy Test

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to remove North Carolina's literacy test requirement for voter registration, which currently requires people to read and write any section of the Constitution in English. The amendment would be submitted to voters in November 2026, and if approved by a majority, would eliminate this registration requirement.

Senate2025-01-30

Vickie Sawyer

Vickie Sawyer

Sponsored Bills (30)

NC Farm Act of 2025-2026

A More Efficient Office of Vital Records

Foster Care Motor Vehicle Insurance

Ferry Division Performance Audit

Safe Camps Act

STIP Grant Anticipation Notes

Real Tickets, Real Fans Act

Align Medicaid Eligibility with Federal Law

Military and Veteran Support Act

Clarify Motor Vehicle Dealer Laws

School Contracted Health Services

DOT Omnibus

Lake Norman Marine Commission

Transforming the High School Experience

Local Govt Transportation System Financing

Board of Motor Vehicles/Authority Study

Mecklenburg Transportation Referendum

Women's Safety and Protection Act

Change to Low-Performing Schools Designation

Revise Dam Safety Requirements

Novel Opioid Control Act of 2025

LEO Special Separation Allowance Options

Celebrate America's 250th-Let Freedom Ring!

State Surplus Property/Third-Party Auctions

STIP Grant Anticipation Notes

Restore Down-Zoning/Union & Iredell Cos

Removal of Squatters from Private Property

School Financial Flexibility Pilot Program

37th Senatorial District Local Act-1

NC Time Zone/Observe DST All Year

Cosponsored Bills (38)

Adjust Counties/Reappraisal Moratorium

Public Workforce Modernization Act

Truth in Taxation

North Carolina Border Protection Act

Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education

Property Tax Reappraisal Moratorium

Wake Surfing Safely

Daniel Johnson (Senate; Transportation)

Reduce Early Voting Period

Lower Taxes for All NC

NC Right to Work Amendment

Constitutional Right to Farm

FUTURE NC Infrastructure Act

Community College Workforce Readiness Act

Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Military Counties

Workforce Act of 2026

Grid Utilization

Drivers Education Modifications

Teacher Licensure Modifications

America's Semiquincentennial License Plate

Cut State Gov. Jobs Vacant 24 Months or More

Nonprofit Fundraising Sales Tax Exemption

Safe and Responsible AI in Schools Act

Luggage for Children Placed in Foster Care

Tyler's Law

Restore Down-Zoning Char/Meck & Others

Drivers License Reciprocity/Taiwan

Child. of Wartime Vets Sch'ship Funds & Flex

Hands Free NC

Freedom to Carry NC

SCRIPT Act

School Calendar Flexibility:A New Alternative

Regulation of Short-Term Rentals

NC REINS Act

Zero-Based Budgeting

The Wells Act

Access to Sports and Extracurriculars for All

Constitutional Amendment/Repeal Literacy Test

Voting Record (691)