All Roll Calls
Yes: 283 • No: 73
North CarolinaSB 3112025-2026 SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT TO INCREASE THE PUNISHMENT FOR COMMITTING AN ASSAULT AGAINST A UTILITY OR COMMUNICATIONS WORKER.
Sponsored By: Dan Blue (Democratic), Jr. Danny Earl Britt (Republican), Jr. David W. Craven (Republican)
Signed by Governor
ASSAULTBUILDINGSCOMMERCECOURTSCRIMESCRIMINAL PROCEDUREDEATH & DYINGDWIELECTRICITY GENERATION & DISTRIBUTIONEXPLOSIVESFUNERAL SERVICESHAZARDOUS SUBSTANCESINFRASTRUCTUREMOTOR VEHICLESPERSONNELPRESENTEDPUBLICRATIFIEDRETAILINGSENTENCINGSHIPPINGTELECOMMUNICATIONSTHEFTTITLE CHANGETRESPASSINGUTILITIESWATER & SEWER SYSTEMSWEAPONSHOMICIDECHAPTEREDTRAFFIC OFFENSESPUBLIC BUILDINGSMONITORING & SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMSPROTESTS & DEMONSTRATIONSIGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICESMAIL & PACKAGE SERVICES
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 11 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster expunction for one misdemeanor
The law lets you ask to clear one nonviolent misdemeanor after three years instead of five. The three years run from conviction or when any sentence, probation, or post‑release supervision ends, whichever is later. This applies to petitions filed on or after the law’s effective date.
New DUI mitigation and interlock help
Beginning Dec 1, 2025, judges can consider two new ways to lower DUI penalties. One is a substance‑abuse assessment, following its plan, plus 60 days of continuous monitored abstinence. The other is six months of pretrial voluntary ignition interlock if you meet set rules (BAC under 0.15, install within 45 days, no serious‑injury crash, valid or recent license, and no recent DUI cases). Interlock users usually pay device costs, but starting Dec 1, 2025, you can ask an approved vendor for a partial waiver if you cannot afford it, including if you used the voluntary option.
Protections for commercial trucks and cargo
Tow operators must promptly return commercial cargo to the owner or a designee on request after a nonconsensual or police‑directed tow. They must also allow a trailer swap for a similar working trailer made within five years of the original trailer’s manufacture date (or newer). Starting Dec 1, 2025, booting a commercial motor vehicle for parking enforcement is illegal and is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Assault on utility workers is a crime
Beginning Dec 1, 2025, assaulting a clearly identifiable utility or communications worker on duty is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Covered workers include employees, agents, and contractors for electricity, gas, water, wastewater, telecom, and internet services. Readily identifiable includes a uniform, hat, or outerwear with a company logo. This offense does not apply if another law carries a higher punishment for the same conduct.
Crackdown on retail and gift card theft
Starting Dec 1, 2025, taking or tampering with gift cards is a crime. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor if the value is $1,000 or less, and a Class H felony if over $1,000. Organized retail theft now covers gift card schemes, with 90‑day totals setting charges: over $1,500 (Class H), $20,000 (Class G), $50,000 (Class F), or $100,000 (Class C), and values can be added across counties. Civil lawsuits can recover actual losses plus at least $150 in consequential damages, usually capped at $3,000; listed crimes like organized retail theft have no cap. The law also clarifies that stored‑value and chip‑based cards count as gift cards and makes it a crime to enter staff‑only or clearly marked “no entry” areas to commit a crime (first offense Class 1 misdemeanor; later offense Class I felony).
No-contact court orders for workplaces
The law lets an employer ask a district court for a no‑contact order after unlawful conduct at work. Unlawful conduct includes assault, stalking, credible threats, mass picketing, and blocking entrances. The court can issue temporary or permanent orders, ban contact or visits, and stop interference with business operations. Cases can be filed where the conduct happened or where the business is located.
Tougher penalties for dangerous driving
Beginning Dec 1, 2025, prearranged street racing and betting on it are crimes. Most cases are Class 1 misdemeanors, but injuries or deaths raise charges to felonies and lengthen license revocations. Leaving a crash that injures someone is a felony, and more serious harm brings tougher charges and multi‑year or permanent revocations. Reckless driving that causes serious injury is a Class 1 misdemeanor; if it causes serious bodily injury, it is a Class A1 misdemeanor. Drivers must still give identifying information and give reasonable help after a crash.
Tougher penalties for guns and explosives
Beginning Dec 1, 2025, people with felony convictions who buy, own, or have a firearm commit a Class G felony. Penalties rise further if a gun is possessed, shown, or fired during other felonies; antique firearms are excluded. Burglary remains serious (first degree Class D, second degree Class G), and any burglary with a firearm on the person is sentenced one class higher. Crimes using explosives or incendiaries carry stiff felonies: injuring a person (Class D), damaging property (Class G), damaging a house of worship or government building (Class E), and possession with intent (Class H).
Bans on selling and misusing embalming fluid
Beginning Dec 1, 2025, funeral directors, embalmers, and trainees cannot knowingly sell or give embalming fluid to unauthorized people. Violations are a Class I felony with a $100 to $500 fine. It is also a crime to possess, sell, deliver, or distribute embalming fluid for anything other than lawful body preservation or lawful taxidermy. Penalties rise with the amount: under 28 g (Class I), 28–199 g (Class G), 200–399 g (Class F), and 400 g or more (Class D).
Higher sentences for stealing mail
Beginning Dec 1, 2025, theft or possession of stolen goods that involve mail is sentenced one felony class higher than the main crime. Mail includes letters, packages, bags, and other items sent or delivered by any method.
More overdose callers get limited immunity
Beginning Dec 1, 2025, certain Class I felonies under G.S. 90‑113.154 are added to the limited‑immunity rules for reporting overdoses. This can reduce prosecution risk for qualifying callers or witnesses in covered cases.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Dan Blue
Democratic • Senate
Jr. Danny Earl Britt
Republican • Senate
Jr. David W. Craven
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Gale Adcock
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Grafstein
Democratic • Senate
Bobby Hanig
Republican • Senate
Ralph Hise
Republican • Senate
Timothy D. Moffitt
Republican • Senate
Mujtaba A. Mohammed
Democratic • Senate
DeAndrea Salvador
Democratic • Senate
Norman W. Sanderson
Republican • Senate
Caleb Theodros
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/26/2025
SB 311: The Law and Order Act.
Yes: 100 • No: 7 • Other: 10
Senate vote • 6/25/2025
SB 311: The Law and Order Act.
Yes: 46 • No: 0 • Other: 4
Senate vote • 6/23/2025
SB 311: The Law and Order Act.
Yes: 1 • No: 46 • Other: 3
House vote • 6/18/2025
SB 311: The Law and Order Act.
Yes: 90 • No: 20 • Other: 9
Senate vote • 3/27/2025
SB 311: Utility Worker Protection Act.
Yes: 46 • No: 0 • Other: 3
Actions Timeline
Ch. SL 2025-71
7/9/2025SenateSigned by Gov. 7/9/2025
7/9/2025SenatePres. To Gov. 6/30/2025
6/30/2025SenateRatified
6/30/2025SenateOrdered Enrolled
6/26/2025SenateConf Report Adopted
6/26/2025HousePlaced On Cal For 06/26/2025
6/25/2025HouseWithdrawn From Com
6/25/2025HouseRef To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
6/25/2025HouseConf Com Reported
6/25/2025HouseConf Report Adopted
6/25/2025SenatePlaced on Today's Calendar
6/25/2025SenateConf Com Reported
6/25/2025SenateConf Com Appointed
6/24/2025HouseConf Com Appointed
6/23/2025SenateFailed Concur In H Com Sub
6/23/2025SenatePlaced On Cal For 06/23/2025
6/20/2025SenateWithdrawn From Com
6/20/2025SenateRef To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
6/18/2025SenateSpecial Message Received For Concurrence in H Com Sub
6/18/2025SenateSpecial Message Sent To Senate
6/18/2025HousePassed 3rd Reading
6/18/2025HousePassed 2nd Reading
6/18/2025HouseAdded to Calendar
6/18/2025HouseCal Pursuant Rule 36(b)
6/18/2025House
Bill Text
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