North CarolinaHB 502025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL SPECIAL SEPARATION ALLOWANCE OPTION FOR STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WITH AT LEAST THIRTY YEARS OF CREDITABLE SERVICE.

Sponsored By: Allen Chesser (Republican), Tricia Ann Cotham (Republican), Charles W. Miller (Republican), A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EMERGENCY SERVICESLAW ENFORCEMENTLAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERSPAROLE & PROBATIONPERSONNELPRESENTEDPUBLICRATIFIEDRETIREMENTCHAPTERED

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New separation pay for local officers

Beginning July 1, 2025, retiring sworn local law enforcement officers can get a special separation allowance. You qualify with either 30 years of creditable service or age 55+ with at least 5 years, must be under 62 when payments start, have 5 straight years in a law enforcement role before retirement, and at least half your service as law enforcement. Service as a probation or parole officer before July 1, 2017 can count toward the law enforcement share. Before the first payment, choose once: 0.85% × your most recent annual base pay × your total years of service, or 0.85% × your base pay when you first reached 30 years × 30; if you do not choose, the frozen‑30 formula applies. Payments end at death, the month you turn 62 for the recent‑pay formula, or after the number of years equal to 62 minus your age when you first hit 30 years for the frozen‑30 formula. Payments also stop if you return to local government work, except for a public safety job that does not require LGERS participation or certain paid service to a county board of elections on election day or during early voting.

New separation pay for State officers

Beginning July 1, 2025, retiring State law enforcement officers can get a special separation allowance. You qualify with either 30 years of creditable service or age 55+ with at least 5 years, must be under 62 when payments start, have 5 straight years in a law enforcement role before retirement, and at least half your service as law enforcement. Service as a probation or parole officer before July 1, 2017 can count toward the law enforcement share. Before the first payment, you make a one-time choice: 0.85% × your most recent annual base pay × your total years of service, or 0.85% × your annual base pay when you first reached 30 years × 30; if you do not choose, the second formula applies. Payments are made in equal installments by your former State employer. Payments end at death, the month you turn 62 if you chose the recent‑pay formula, or after the number of years equal to 62 minus your age when you first hit 30 years if you chose the frozen‑30 formula. Payments also stop if you return to State employment, unless you take an exempt position in a different agency.

Agencies fund and certify separation pay

Beginning July 1, 2025, State agency heads and local governing bodies decide who qualifies for the separation allowance and must pay certified retirees from their budgets. The State Budget Director can move salary and fringe funds within agencies to make these payments. These steps help ensure eligible retired officers get paid on time.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Jonathan L. Almond
Republican • House
Amber M. Baker
Democratic • House
Mary Belk
Democratic • House
Brian Biggs
Republican • House
Jerry "Alan" Branson
Republican • House
Carson Smith
Republican • House
Todd Carver
Republican • House
Bryan Cohn
Democratic • House
Dudley Greene
Republican • House
Pricey Harrison
Democratic • House
Frank Iler
Republican • House
Kanika Brown
Democratic • House
Keith Kidwell
Republican • House
Donnie Loftis
Republican • House
Carolyn G. Logan
Democratic • House
Jeffrey C. McNeely
Republican • House
Marcia Morey
Democratic • House
Ben T. Moss, Jr.
Republican • House
Ray Pickett
Republican • House
Renée A. Price
Democratic • House
Rodney D. Pierce
Democratic • House
Timothy Reeder, MD
Republican • House
Dennis Riddell
Republican • House
Stephen M. Ross
Republican • House
Paul Scott
Republican • House
Bill Ward
Republican • House
Harry Warren
Republican • House
Shelly Willingham
Democratic • House
David Willis
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 160 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/10/2025

HB 50: LEO Special Separation Allowance Options.

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 7

House vote • 4/1/2025

HB 50: Law Enforcement Officers Special Separation Allowance Options.

Yes: 117 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

Ch. SL 2025-8
6/13/2025House
Signed by Gov. 6/13/2025
6/13/2025House
Pres. To Gov. 6/12/2025
6/12/2025House
Ratified
6/11/2025House
Ordered Enrolled
6/10/2025Senate
Passed 3rd Reading
6/10/2025Senate
Passed 2nd Reading
6/10/2025Senate
Reptd Fav
6/9/2025Senate
Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
5/20/2025Senate
Reptd Fav
5/20/2025Senate
Re-ref to Pensions and Retirement and Aging. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
5/19/2025Senate
Withdrawn From Com
5/19/2025Senate
Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
4/3/2025Senate
Passed 1st Reading
4/3/2025Senate
Regular Message Received From House
4/3/2025Senate
Regular Message Sent To Senate
4/2/2025House
Passed 3rd Reading
4/1/2025House
Passed 2nd Reading
4/1/2025House
Placed On Cal For 04/01/2025
3/31/2025House
Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)
3/31/2025House
Reptd Fav
3/31/2025House
Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
3/26/2025House
Reptd Fav
3/26/2025House
Re-ref Com On Pensions and Retirement
3/18/2025House
Reptd Fav Com Substitute
3/18/2025House

Bill Text

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Edition 2
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Edition 3
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Filed
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Latest Edition
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