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North CarolinaHB 7472025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES TO THE WILDLIFE LAWS, AS REQUESTED BY THE WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION.

Sponsored By: Jay Adams (Republican), Mike Clampitt (Republican), Ben T. Moss, Jr. (Republican), Brian Turner (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

ANIMALSBOATINGBUDGETINGCOMMISSIONSCONFIDENTIALITYCONSERVATIONDMVENVIRONMENTFEESFISH & WILDLIFEFUNDINGHUNTING & FISHINGLICENSE PLATESLICENSES & PERMITSMOTOR VEHICLESPRESENTEDPRIVACYPUBLICRATIFIEDRECREATION & LEISUREREPORTINGSAFETYSAFETY EQUIPMENTTITLE CHANGETRANSPORTATIONWILDLIFE RESOURCES COMN

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stronger privacy for wildlife data

Beginning July 7, 2026, the Wildlife Resources Commission keeps Social Security numbers and listed personal details confidential. This includes mailing and residence address, email, customer ID, date of birth, phone number, and certain data shared from Agriculture. The Executive Director may also keep the exact locations of rare species and sensitive habitats confidential when release risks harm. The landowner of record can still get records about their own land.

Elk hunting permits and safety gear rules

Beginning July 7, 2026, elk are added to the list of game animals. For the 2027 season, the Commission offers one resident elk permit by raffle and one by auction. Raffle tickets cost $20 each or 30 for $500, and buyers must have a valid North Carolina hunting license or be license‑exempt. The Commission may keep up to $25,000 for raffle costs, and the chosen nonprofit auctioneer may keep up to 25%; the rest goes to the Wildlife Resources Fund. Permits are nontransferable. In later seasons, raffles and auctions may continue; if there is an auction, at least half of raffle permits are for North Carolina residents. During deer firearms seasons and open elk seasons, hunters with firearms must wear hunter orange visible from all sides; the fine is $25 with no court costs. The Commission reports results by March 1, 2028, and each year it runs the program.

New wildlife plates fund conservation

Beginning July 7, 2026, you can choose a Lifetime Conservationist plate for an extra $30. $10 goes to the Special Registration Plate Account and $20 goes to the Collegiate and Cultural Attraction Plate Account, which is sent each quarter to the Wildlife Resources Fund. A new Wildlife Resources plate is also available with a native species image. Money from that plate goes each quarter to the Wildlife Conservation Account. This plate does not require a minimum number of applications. Buyers choose to pay the extra plate fee; proceeds support conservation.

New boating and jet ski safety rules

Starting October 1, 2026, every vessel on North Carolina waters must follow the federal Inland Navigation Rules for lights, sound signals, and other gear. Boats numbered in another state can operate here without North Carolina numbers for only 60 straight days; after that, you must record or get an NC number. On personal watercraft, every rider or person being towed must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket; inflatable vests do not count. If the craft has a factory engine cut‑off switch, you must use it when on plane. The law also bans reckless moves like weaving through traffic, jumping wakes within 100 feet, forcing others to swerve, or following too closely.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Jay Adams

    Republican • House

  • Mike Clampitt

    Republican • House

  • Ben T. Moss, Jr.

    Republican • House

  • Brian Turner

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Carla D. Cunningham

    Independent • House

  • Aisha O. Dew

    Democratic • House

  • Zack Hawkins

    Democratic • House

  • Neal Jackson

    Republican • House

  • Howard Penny, Jr.

    Republican • House

  • Bill Ward

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 267 • No: 7

House vote • 7/1/2026

HB 747: 2026 Wildlife Resources Changes.

Yes: 109 • No: 5 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 6/30/2026

HB 747: 2026 Wildlife Resources Changes.

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 6/24/2025

HB 747: 2025 Wildlife Resources Changes.

Yes: 109 • No: 2 • Other: 8

Actions Timeline

  1. Ch. SL 2026-43

    7/8/2026House

  2. Signed by Gov. 7/7/2026

    7/7/2026House

  3. Pres. To Gov. 7/6/2026

    7/6/2026House

  4. Ratified

    7/2/2026House

  5. Ordered Enrolled

    7/1/2026House

  6. Concurred In S Com Sub

    7/1/2026House

  7. Placed On Cal For 07/01/2026

    6/30/2026House

  8. Cal Pursuant 36(b)

    6/30/2026House

  9. Special Message Received For Concurrence in S Com Sub

    6/30/2026House

  10. Special Message Sent To House

    6/30/2026Senate

  11. Passed 3rd Reading

    6/30/2026Senate

  12. Passed 2nd Reading

    6/30/2026Senate

  13. Reptd Fav

    6/29/2026Senate

  14. Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

    6/23/2026Senate

  15. Com Substitute Adopted

    6/23/2026Senate

  16. Reptd Fav Com Substitute

    6/23/2026Senate

  17. Re-ref to Finance. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

    6/22/2026Senate

  18. Withdrawn From Com

    6/22/2026Senate

  19. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

    6/25/2025Senate

  20. Passed 1st Reading

    6/25/2025Senate

  21. Special Message Received From House

    6/25/2025Senate

  22. Special Message Sent To Senate

    6/25/2025House

  23. Passed 3rd Reading

    6/24/2025House

  24. Passed 2nd Reading

    6/24/2025House

  25. Added to Calendar

    6/24/2025House

Bill Text

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