Legislative Update for the 2025/2026 Session #18

The House and Senate were still negotiating through the budget process but decided to recess until further notice without passing a budget. This stalls any items that were to be included in the spending bill. Since our request are included in the budget presently, we cannot do much to get the items through.

We were confident that if the budget bill were to pass 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 Prostrate.

However, we’re not sure when the Legislature will reconvene, and even if they do whether they will take up the budget bill. It may be next year before there is a budget bill passed. Even the members of the General Assembly do not have much control until the leadership decides to move forward. Our understanding is the the chambers are still so far apart on key items it is unlikely they will consider a full budget this year. We’ll continue to follow and keep you posted.

Here are the key issues we are following and their current status as we know it.

H 0037 & SB 86 | Enhance Firefighter Benefits & Representation which increase the Pension to $180 per month and adds 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”. Prostrate and Colon cancer was also added to this bill and we expect these to be included in the budget bill if passed. We are hopeful these will be added to the budget bill when addressed.

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 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.

Barry Overman, Executive Director, NCSFA

Steven Roberson, 1st VP, NCSFA

Tim Bradley, Executive Director Emeritus, NCSFA

Listed below are the State bills introduced so far this session that we are currently tracking.

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 have 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 child care 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, its 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 exempt 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 ion NC.

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.

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

Legislative Update for the 2025/2026 Session #18

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