Several new laws were passed during the short session of the North Carolina General Assembly for the 2023-2024 term, with many new provisions set to take effect at the start of the new fiscal year on July 1st. Here are 11 key legislative changes to be aware of:
1. Schools for the deaf and blind: House Bill 11 restructures the governance of three state schools: the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf, the North Carolina School for the Deaf, and the Governor Morehead School for the Blind.
2. Revenue Laws: Senate Bill 174 makes technical, clarifying, and administrative changes to revenue laws recommended by the North Carolina Department of Revenue.
3. Notary Public Law amendments: Senate Bill 552 authorizes remote electronic notarizations.
4. Child Advocacy Centers: House Bill 674 establishes criteria for Child Advocacy Centers to receive state funding, including providing a child-friendly space and trauma-informed services for suspected child abuse victims.
5. Adoption Law/Notary Changes/Guardianship Rights: Senate Bill 615 requires electronic notaries performing remote notarizations to enter information in an electronic journal.
6. High School Athletics: Changes to high school athletics rules will be implemented by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
7. Regulatory Reform Act of 2023: House Bill 200 makes technical changes related to commercial mobile radio services and the NC 911 Board.
8. Election Law changes: Senate Bill 747 establishes a process for removing non-citizen voters from registration lists.
9. Surveyor access rights/commercial construction acceleration: Senate Bill 677 addresses surveyor access rights and commercial and multi-family construction permits.
10. Technical corrections/other budget items: Senate Bill 508 clarifies DMV authority to implement electronic transaction fees and local approval of erosion control plans.
11. DOT legislative changes: Changes to transportation laws require vehicle identification information on unpaid toll invoices and authorize public transportation authorities to increase toll processing fees.
The new laws aim to streamline processes, address key issues, and improve services across various sectors in North Carolina.
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