North CarolinaHB 9262025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FURTHER REGULATORY RELIEF TO THE CITIZENS OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Sponsored By: Allen Chesser (Republican), Dennis Riddell (Republican), Jeff Zenger (Republican)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

17 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 9 mixed.

Faster wastewater permits, tougher low-flow limits

Wastewater permits move faster. The Department has 30 days to say an application is complete, or it is deemed complete. The Commission must decide within 180 days or refund 10% of the fee for each working day it is late. For low‑flow or zero‑flow waters, strict limits now apply: BOD5 5.0 mg/L; NH3 0.5 mg/L monthly and 1.0 mg/L daily; total nitrogen 4.0 mg/L; total phosphorus 1.0 mg/L monthly and 2.0 mg/L daily; fecal coliforms 14/100 mL; dissolved oxygen at least 7.0 mg/L; TSS 5.0 mg/L monthly and 8.0 mg/L daily; nitrate 1.0 mg/L monthly and 2.0 mg/L daily. Low‑risk dischargers must use Region 4‑accepted models (like Streeter‑Phelps) to show oxygen sag ≤ 0.1 mg/L, with more complex modeling if asking for looser limits. The State prepared and submitted draft rules, set up a working group with experts, and can use streamlined rulemaking for these wastewater rules.

Easier approvals for small septic systems

For septic site denials, you can submit a letter from the county health department or a certified on‑site wastewater evaluator. Small fractional vapor‑compression distillation discharges under 5,000 gallons per day are deemed permitted when there is no ponding, runoff, direct discharge, or water‑quality violation, and all system criteria are met. You may place approved wastewater dispersal products under driveways and private parking if a licensed engineer certifies the load rating and the maker approves that use. These flexibilities last until matching permanent rules take effect.

Quicker stormwater reviews and small-home relief

Near Falls Lake, single‑family and duplex homes that disturb less than 1 acre and are not part of a larger plan do not need a stormwater permit or post‑construction controls until the Commission’s revised rule takes effect. Local governments cannot require stricter rules. For stormwater permits, the Commission cannot add new, unrelated information demands after its first request. Later requests can only ask for items missing from the previous exchange.

Dam emergency plans kept confidential

Emergency Action Plans and downstream inundation maps for dams owned or run by electric power suppliers or local governments are confidential public records. Dams owned by others or regulated by FERC are not covered. This helps protect public safety and critical infrastructure information.

Lawsuit limits near racing facilities

If a racing facility developer had all permits and a vested right before you bought nearby property or built there, you cannot bring nuisance or takings claims. This rule applies to owners within three miles of the track’s perimeter. It protects permitted racing uses but narrows legal options for later‑arriving neighbors.

Smoother local development and vested rights

You can refile a denied or withdrawn zoning or development application without a local waiting period. Starting October 6, 2025, small changes to special use permits that do not change use or density can be approved by staff. Also starting October 6, 2025, if a special use permit expires and did not vest, current zoning applies. Local governments can rely on county tax records to identify landowners, and owners can authorize option, lease, or contract holders to apply. A vested right from one approval does not cancel other vested rights. From October 6, 2025, split‑jurisdiction parcels can use one set of rules by agreement with the owner, or the owner can pick the rules of where most acreage sits.

Rules to serve food at workplaces

Permitted food businesses may serve at off‑site workplaces for employees and guests. You must notify the local health department, prep and cook food at your permitted site, assemble food indoors, and protect food in transit and service. You may operate at the same location no more than three days in seven, must provide handwashing, and have a certified food protection manager on site. No customer self‑service is allowed, and utensils must be washed back at the permitted site.

Fewer operator visits for safe water sites

Some supplemental public water treatment facilities may reduce operator visits to at least monthly if they meet strict safeguards. Sites must only feed disinfectant chemicals, have emergency and automatic shutdowns, run monthly calibration checks, and provide remote monitoring with alarms. The Environmental Commission will adopt matching permanent rules, and this authority ends when those rules take effect.

Longer power contracts for municipal agencies

Joint municipal power agencies and member cities can sign initial power and support contracts up to 50 years, with renewals up to 50 years each. Support contract obligation periods rise from 30 to 50 years. This gives local utilities more long‑term planning and financing options that can affect future rates.

Clear notices for locked hearing aids

Starting October 1, 2025, sellers and audiologists must give buyers a clear 12‑point notice when a hearing aid uses locked programming. The notice explains the device can only be serviced or programmed at certain places. Sellers must get the buyer’s signature, give a receipt with required details, and keep the notice, receipt, test results, and recommendations for three years.

Private home pools face fewer local rules

Private pools at single‑family homes stay exempt even if guests pay or book through a sharing app. If you charge a fee, you must keep the pool in good and safe working order. Local health boards cannot add rules for these private single‑family pools or adopt certain food and lodging grading, operating, and permitting rules beyond State limits.

Limits on local bans of official flags

Local governments cannot ban official governmental flags if flown with the owner’s consent and in line with patriotic customs. They may set fair size, number, location, and height rules for safety. To stop a U.S. or North Carolina flag over traffic concerns, they must do a DOT site study and write safety findings.

More notice and informal state hearings

For contested cases, the hearing office must give week and county details at least 30 days before the initial hearing and formal written notice at least 15 days before. The general notice period rises from 15 to 30 days. Parties may waive notice in writing. Agencies covered by Article 3A are encouraged to settle disputes informally without sworn testimony.

More setoff collections by local utilities

Local public works authorities and local public utilities commissions can use the State’s setoff process to collect debts. The State can reduce payments it owes you to cover past‑due amounts to those local entities.

Repeal of one engineering statute

The law repeals G.S. 89C‑19.2. Any duties or permissions in that section no longer apply. The exact effect depends on what that repealed section said.

SSN checks for professional licenses

All occupational licensing boards must collect and verify your Social Security number when you apply. The number stays confidential. It may be shared with child support enforcement, the Department of Revenue, and Social Security for verification.

State land overlays need state approval

Local governments cannot place State‑owned land into overlay or conditional zoning without approval by the Council of State or its delegate. For State projects exempt from local rules, the State Construction Office or Legislative Services Commission must consult the local government about water, sewer, stormwater, traffic, parking, buffers, tree protection, riparian buffers, and local environmental rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Jimmy Dixon
Republican • House
Bill Ward
Republican • House