Bills Filed
I have been busy working on bills for the short session. I have filed 5 bills in the short session these bills include:
HB 1074- Prescription Drug Expenses Tax Deduction: This bill would give taxpayers a valuable new way to lower their state income taxes by allowing up to $5,000 in out-of-pocket prescription drug costs to be deducted each year. It focuses on helping people keep more of their money by covering common expenses like copays and medications that aren’t reimbursed
HB 1040- Pitt-Greenville Airport Authority Changes: This bill updates how the Pitt County–City of Greenville Airport Authority is funded, giving local leaders more flexibility to decide how costs are shared. It also modernizes rules, streamlines planning requirements, and ensures major decisions—like land purchases—include public input and approval from both local governments. Overall, the bill helps improve coordination and adaptability, supporting the airport’s long-term growth and service to the community.
HB 1083- Voluntary Portable Benefits Plan Act: This bill would create a new system allowing independent contractors to access flexible, portable benefits like health or retirement plans that stay with them from job to job.
It enables businesses and workers to contribute to benefit accounts managed by approved providers, expanding options without changing employment classifications. This will make benefits more available and affordable for workers in NC.
HB 1090- RURAL Care Act: This bill focuses on strengthening healthcare access in rural communities by supporting facility improvements and new infrastructure projects. It will create a new fund used only for RURAL healthcare infrastructure. It allows funding to be used for construction, repairs, and modernization of healthcare facilities, while also ensuring accountability through reporting requirements. Overall, the bill aims to expand access to quality care and invest in the long-term health and vitality of rural areas across the state.
HB 1140- IVC and Public Safety Committee: This bill focuses on improving the state’s involuntary commitment (IVC) process by directing key agencies to study current laws, practices, and technology. It resulted from my Co-Chair on the House Select Committee on IVC and Public Safety. The bill aims to identify gaps and develop practical, data-driven recommendations to ensure people receive more timely, effective, and coordinated mental
health support. Overall, the bill promotes smarter systems and better outcomes by encouraging collaboration and modernization across healthcare and the courts.
I have also primary sponsored a number of bills in the short session. These bills include:
HB 1032- Repeal 2% Local Grocery Tax: This bill would eliminate the 2% local sales tax on groceries, helping make everyday food purchases more affordable for residents. By reducing taxes on essential items, the bill aims to ease the cost of living and provide meaningful financial relief to families across the state.
HB 1081- Funds for Veterans/ HBOT: This bill focuses on providing funding to support veterans’ access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a treatment used for certain service-related health conditions. The bill aims to expand care options for veterans by helping make this therapy more available and financially accessible.
HB 1149- Keep NC Working Act: This bill would create a short-time compensation program that helps employees keep their jobs by allowing reduced work hours instead of layoffs, while still receiving partial unemployment benefits. The bill promotes job stability and workforce resilience, helping North Carolinians stay employed and financially secure during challenging times.
HB 1191- Fostering Care in NC Act 2026: This bill makes thoughtful updates to the state’s child welfare and foster care system, including improvements to how juvenile and family court records are handled and protected.
It also modernizes procedures around custody cases and strengthens coordination between agencies to help ensure children receive more consistent, well-supported care.
HB 1199- The Seatbelt Act: This bill is intended to improve roadway safety through stronger traffic safety measures and modern enforcement tools aimed at reducing dangerous driving behavior. It also emphasizes accountability and the use of updated safety technology to help protect drivers and passengers across the state.
You can find all of these bills at the Legislative Web site:
https://www.ncleg.gov/
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