LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FOR 2025-2026

Short Session Update #1

The Legislature returned to session with an attempt to complete a budget that was not passed in the long session. We are hopeful that the bills we have been tracking will make some headway, as they work through new bills that are being introduced as well.

We were confident that if the budget bill had passed, we would see a $5 increase in our pension to $180 per month, with no increase in premiums. In addition, we felt there was a good chance we would get a change we requested from “stomach cancers” to “cancers of the thoracic cavity” in LODD, and we’re hopeful we could get the addition of colon and prostate cancers as well.

As of early 2026, North Carolina’s fiscal status remains relatively stable, but we are noting that lawmakers are increasingly cautious due to slowing revenue growth compared to the post-pandemic surplus years. Recent forecasts from the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management indicate that while the state is not currently in a formal deficit, projected revenues are coming in lower than prior expectations, tightening future spending flexibility.

For firefighters and emergency services, this means funding is not being cut broadly right now, but new investments, grants, and state employee pay increases may face more scrutiny during upcoming budget negotiations.

The state is essentially transitioning from surplus conditions to a more constrained fiscal environment rather than facing an immediate shortfall. Overall, there is no declared deficit at this time, but budget pressures are building and could impact public safety funding decisions in the next biennium beginning in 2027.

www.ncleg.gov is the official site for the North Carolina General Assembly. You can follow the progression of bills as well as view live streams of committee and other meetings.

Legislative Day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20th. It will be at the Civic Center (NCSFA Office) office building at 323 W. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

We will meet in the 1^st-floor conference room at 8:00 AM. There are two public parking garages within reasonable walking distance of the office.

We will have a brief introduction, a message from board members, and visits from several legislators. Following that, we will head over to the Legislative Building.

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. A special thank you to our lunch sponsor, Atlantic Emergency Solutions.

If at any time you have questions regarding legislation, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the board or staff of the NCSFA; we are here to serve you.

Steven Roberson, President, NCSFA

Doug Bissette, Legislative Chair, NCSFA

Barry Overman, Executive Director, NCSFA

Here are the new bills that were introduced within the last week.

S 1050 Office of State Fire Marshal, Emergency Support Functions

AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE STATE AND TO MODIFY THE OPERATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL AND TO USE FUNDS TO EFFECTUATE THOSE PURPOSES.

S 1049 Licensing Certain Fire Systems

AN ACT TO REQUIRE LICENSING AND PERMITTING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FIRMS THAT INSTALL AND SERVICE PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND FIRE 4 SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS, TO REQUIRE DIGITAL REPORTING OF INSPECTIONS, TESTING, AND MAINTENANCE OF PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS, AND TO REQUIRE DIGITAL TAGGING OF FIRE SPRINKLERS AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS.

S 0994 Early Voting Procedures at Fire Stations

AN ACT TO ENSURE CERTAIN PROVISIONS ARE IN PLACE AT EARLY VOTING SITES LOCATED AT FIRE STATIONS.

S 0915 2026 Governor’s Budget

AN ACT TO MAKE BASE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT OPERATIONS OF STATE DEPARTMENTS, INSTITUTIONS, AND AGENCIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

S 0874 Licensing Certain Fire Safety Equipment

AN ACT TO REQUIRE LICENSING AND PERMITTING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FIRMS THAT INSTALL AND SERVICE PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS.

S 0871 Community Emergency Response Training

AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, FOR THE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM.

S 0831 25-Year Retirement for First Responders

AN ACT ALLOWING FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE TEACHERS’ AND STATE EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM OR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO RETIRE WITH UNREDUCED BENEFITS AFTER ACHIEVING TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF CREDITABLE SERVICE AND MAKING CONFORMING CHANGES.

H 1114 GSC Technical Corrections 2026

AN ACT TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE GENERAL STATUTES AND SESSION LAWS, INCLUDING REPEALING OBSOLETE LANGUAGE DESCRIBING PAST TRANSFERS OR REORGANIZATIONS OF STATE AGENCIES, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GENERAL STATUTES COMMISSION.

H 1162 Standing up for Wilson County Volunteer Fire Departments

AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO WILSON COUNTY FOR UPGRADES TO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT.

Listed below are the Bills that were introduced during the long session that we continue to track.

H 0037 & SB 86 | Enhance Firefighter Benefits & Representation, which increase the Pension to $180 per month and add a representative from the fire service to the State EMS Advisory Council. Currently in the Senate and House Budget, and has passed the House, but awaiting the outcome of the budget debate. The State EMS Advisory Board issue will have to be included in an appointment bill.

H 0097 & SB 97| Support Firefighters Fighting Cancer

Changes “cancers of the small intestines” to “cancers of the thoracic cavity”. Prostate and Colon cancer were also added to this bill, and we expect these to be included in the budget bill when passed.

HB 276 & S 0226 | Align Benefits for Firefighters with Cancer

This bill was introduced to provide that any Cancer Covered Under the Firefighters’ Cancer Insurance Program under GS 58-86A, or the original Firefighters’ Health Benefit Pilot Program, would be covered under the LODD program under GS 143-166.2(6), adding to the original 6 cancers currently covered. This would greatly increase the number of cancers covered by LODD and provide expanded Line of Duty Death Benefits for firefighter families and dependents. No action has been taken on these bills, and we are hopeful they may be included in the budget bill.

S 0492 | OPPOSE Single Stair Bldg. Code Reform

AMEND THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BUILDING CODE TO AUTHORIZE SINGLE-EXIT STAIRWAYS IN CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS. We’re hopeful this bill has been set aside since it did not meet crossover.

S 0700 | OPPOSE Create the Office of Engineering and Codes

Transfers most of the Building Codes, Residential Code, and Manufactured Housing from OSFM to the Department of Labor. We’re hopeful this bill has been set aside since it did not meet crossover.

Listed below are other State bills that were introduced that we continue to track as well…..

Provides authority for the State Fire Marshal office to do Fire Investigations. This was approved in the budget bill last session but was vetoed.

Correction. Sister Bill to SB 86.

In the 5th Edition, it adds in Section 5.12 that the start date of the 2024 building codes has been extended a year.

H 0061 | Assaults on First Responders | Feb 04, 2025 | Feb 06, 2025 – Ref to the Com on Judiciary 2, if favorable, Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House | A. Reece Pyrtle |

Changes Cancers of the Small Intestines to “Cancers of the Stomach and Small Intestines”. Sister Bill to HB 97.

Increases the use, sale, and size of fireworks in NC.

Allows traveling to and from “duty” to be added to training to be covered by LODD

To an extent, allows law enforcement to utilize cell phone tracking information under certain emergencies.

H 0215 | Protect Charlotte Firefighters’ Ret. System | Feb 25, 2025 | Feb 27, 2025 – Ref to the Com on Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House | Mike Clampitt |

Provides protection for Charlotte Firefighters’ retirement system against breach of data.

Allows the flying of a freedom flag under the American and State flag on 9/11 for remembrance.

Companion bill to HB 272 and allows Law Enforcement Officers to purchase up to four years in the retirement system if the complete certain law enforcement certifications.

This bill is a sister bill to Cancer Bill (Senate Bill 226) and again was introduced to provide that any Cancer Covered Under The Firefighters’ Cancer Insurance Program under GS 58-86A, or the original Firefighters’ Health Benefit Pilot Program, would be covered under the LODD program under GS 143-166.2(6), adding to the original 6 cancers currently covered. This would greatly increase the number of cancers covered by LODD and provide expanded Line of Duty Death Benefits for firefighter families and dependents.

Allows owners of retired service dogs to get reimbursed for Veterinarian services.

Directs the NC Residential Code Council and Building Code Council to create a family childcare classification within the State Building Code.

The purpose of the study is for the Legislative Research Commission to examine current trends, problems, and opportunities confronting rural fire departments 8 and suggest funding and other legislative actions needed to keep those fire departments fiscally 9 sound and mission effective.

Safe Kids NC is in support of this Bill. They collaborated with the NC Child Fatality Task Force to get it introduced. Basically, it’s just an update to our existing law and coincides with current best practice standards.

H 0387 | Eliminate Tax on Gov’t Retirees | Mar 12, 2025 | Mar 13, 2025 – Ref to the Com on State and Local Government, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House | Mike Schietzelt |

Exempts Income received from a State, Local (LGERS), or Federal Government retirement plan from State Income Tax.

Establishes a supplemental insurance policy for First Responders Diagnosed with Mental Health Conditions to be administered by the Department of Insurance.

Section 2 Involves Technical corrections to assaults on firefighters

Prohibits the use of foams containing PFS’s in training or research.

ALLOWS FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR CERTAIN EXPENSES IN THE COURSE OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PROVIDES FUNDING FOR DPS $1,000,000 FOR THE PILOT PROGRAM.

REQUIRE THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS EXAMINATION FOR CREDENTIALING AS VARIOUS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL

AN ACT TO SUPPORT THE STATE’S VIPER PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO NETWORK IN ORDER TO SUPPORT 911 OPERATIONS INTEROPERABILITY AND FIRST RESPONDER DISPATCH THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

ALLOWs FOR THE CONTINUATION OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

EXCLUDES FIRE OR EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCY PROPERTY FROM ELECTION USE IF THE USE WILL INHIBIT THE ABILITY TO CARRY OUT EMERGENCY RESPONSE

AMENDS THE GENERAL STATUTES RELATED TO BUILDING CODE ENFORCEMENT; TO ESTABLISH A BUILDING INSPECTOR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM AND A PROGRAM FOR GENERAL CONTRACTORS TO BECOME CODE-ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS; TO REQUIRE JUST CAUSE AND DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AGAINST COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING INSPECTORS; TO PROVIDE FINALITY FOR APPROVED 8 STAGES OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS UNDER SPECIFIED CONDITIONS; TO ESTABLISH THE DISASTER BUILDING INSPECTION RELIEF FUND; AND TO PRESERVE CERTAIN CODE OFFICIALS’ AUTHORITY TO INSPECT CERTAIN NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.

Requires the review of all State Commissions and Committees not previously reviewed.

Allows sales tax on certain capital purchases by volunteer FDs to be refundable.

Correction. Sister Bill to SB 86.

Changes Cancers of the Small Intestines to “Cancers of the Stomach and Small Intestines”. Sister Bill to HB 97.

Increases the sale of fireworks in NC.

Companion bill to HB 272 and allows Law Enforcement Officers to purchase up to four years in the retirement system if they complete certain law enforcement certifications.

Provides funding to DPS for Community Emergency Response Training

Provides and expands certain immunities for assistance with drug-related overdoses under the good Samaritan act.

INCREASE THE PUNISHMENT FOR COMMITTING AN ASSAULT OR AFFRAY AGAINST CERTAIN EMERGENCY RESPONDERS AND TO CRIMINALIZE EXPOSING CERTAIN EMERGENCY RESPONDERS TO FENTANYL OR OTHER HARMFUL DRUG OR CHEMICAL AGENTS AND TO APPROPRIATE NONRECURRING FUNDS TO THE NORTH CAROLINA OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES TO DISTRIBUTE AS GRANTS TO USE FOR EQUIPMENT TO PROTECT CERTAIN FIRST RESPONDERS.

REQUIRE LICENSING AND PERMITTING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FIRMS THAT INSTALL AND SERVICE PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS.

AMEND THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BUILDING CODE TO AUTHORIZE SINGLE-EXIT STAIRWAYS IN CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.

Allows collective bargaining for municipal firefighters

Prohibits the purchase by cities or counties of any Drone or Unmanned aircraft from certain foreign vendors.

Transfers most of the Building Codes, Residential Code, and Manufactured Housing from OSFM to the Department of Labor.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FOR 2025-2026

Short Session Update #1

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