Legislative Updates

2025-26 Legislative Session

The long session of the 2025-26 legislative session started on January 8, 2025 and was scheduled to end June 30, 2025. It was extended because lawmakers failed to pass a biennial budget bill, but the 2026 short session started with no budget in place.

In odd-numbered years, the NCGA holds a long session where legislators pass a biennium budget bill to set spending for two years (e.g., fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27). In the 2026 short session, legislators would normally be focused on making adjustments to the 2026-27 budget. But because no budget was passed in the 2025 long session, in the 2026 short session legislators had to negotiate and pass the complete 2026-27 budget.

The NCGA returned to Raleigh on April 21, 2026, and passed a state budget the first week of July.

NCGA lawmakers adjourned their “voting” session in July and will not return for voting purposes until after the November elections. Pursuant to SJR 1091, the House and Senate will reconvene on the following dates:

August 31-September 2
September 28-30
October 26-28
November 16-19
November 30-December 18

Week in Review

August 17 – September 4

Governor Stein vetoed two key bills the week of August 17:

HB 958 “Election Law Changes” makes numerous changes to election laws including changing ballot counting procedures, absentee voting, mail in voting, address verification procedures, and more. The bill passed the House and was presented to the Governor on 8/7/2026 and the Governor vetoed it on August 17, 2026.
HB 377 “2026 Court Changes” gives NC Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby the power to suspend any trial court judge being investigated by the state’s Judicial Standards Commission without pay while that probe is ongoing

The North Carolina legislature did not override any more of Governor Stein’s vetoes. Bills listed below are still pending override:

Veto Override: HB 171 (Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI)- This bill bans all DEI initiatives, training, positions and personnel, or other related programs across government workplaces in NC and using DEI considerations in hiring. Governor Stein vetoed this bill in July of 2025. The bill is awaiting action at the Senate Committee on Rules and Operations.
Veto Override: SB50 – (Freedom to Carry) This bill allows those over 18 to carry a concealed handgun w/o a permit. The Senate voted to override and the override vote stalled in the NC House.
Veto Override: HB437 – (Drug-Free Zones/Unauthorized Public Camping). Governor Stein vetoed this bill on 7/8/2026.

2025-26 K-12 Education Bills

For a complete list of education bills, see NCDPI’s 2025-26 K-12 Education Bill Tracking document.

2026 Appropriations Act

The 2026 Appropriations Act was sent to Governor Stein for his signature on July 2. He signed it on July 7.

Governor Stein’s Budget Proposal

Governor Stein released his recommended budget proposal for 2026-27. The governor’s budget would raise starting teacher pay to the highest in the southeast.

Legislative Calendar

View the legislative calendar on the NCGA homepage.

Key Bills to Watch

SB 50 – Freedom to Carry NC was also vetoed by Governor Stein last year. It lowers the age to purchase a firearm from 21 to 18 and allows all citizens (with some exceptions) to carry a concealed handgun without obtaining a permit. The permit process involves getting a criminal background check so by enabling people to avoid the permit process and lowering the purchase age, this law greatly increases the danger of gun violence in the state. Governor Stein’s veto was overridden in the Senate in 2025, but the House has not yet taken it up for an override vote. (DO NOT SUPPORT)
SB 960 – Modernized Children with Disabilities Funding raises the cap on funding for students with disabilities from 13% to 16% of a district’s enrollment. It also creates a fund to pay districts for the extraordinary costs of educating students who require intensive and specialized services. (SUPPORT)
HB 144 – Elect SBE/Superintendent as SBE Chair is another constitutional amendment bill. It would require all members of the SBE to be elected positions aligned with the number and districts of our US House of Representatives members. (DO NOT SUPPORT)
HB 301 – Social Media & AI Safety provides social media protections for minors under age 16 and makes numerous other changes, including, requiring the SBE to update computer science standards to include instruction on artificial intelligence (AI), requiring DPI to adopt a model AI policy, and requiring governing bodies of public schools to adopt policies on AI use. (SUPPORT)
HB 958 Election Law Changes makes numerous changes to election laws including changing ballot counting procedures, absentee voting, mail in voting, address verification procedures, and more. The General Assembly issued a request for public comment on a proposed committee substitute, keeping this highly debated election overhaul HIGH on the priority list. (DO NOT SUPPORT)
HB 775 – Criminal History Checks for School Positions (SUPPORT)
HB 832 – Education Omnibus
SB 649 – Restore Master’s Pay for Teachers & ISP (SUPPORT)