Stein signs bills on law enforcement, trafficking, taxes and water systems
The July 2 bill-signing package included measures on retired law enforcement officers, human trafficking, tax law, senior fraud protections and water and wastewater affordability.
RALEIGH — Gov. Josh Stein signed four bills into law July 2, approving measures involving retired law enforcement officers, human trafficking, obscene materials, state tax law, senior financial protections and water and wastewater systems.
The bills signed were House Bill 481, House Bill 83, Senate Bill 595 and House Bill 376, according to the Governor’s Office.
House Bill 481, now Session Law 2026-33, is titled “Pay Exceptions/Special Separation Allowance.” The General Assembly bill page lists the law as a public measure with no counties specifically cited. The bill page lists affected topics including law enforcement officers, retirement, salaries and benefits, state employees and government employees. The governor said the law builds on earlier legislation supporting retired law enforcement officers who return to work.
“Vacancies in law enforcement agencies have a real impact on public safety,” Stein said in the bill-signing statement.
House Bill 83, now Session Law 2026-34, is titled “Revise Laws on Minors/Human Trafficking.” The General Assembly bill page lists affected areas including crimes, criminal procedure, minors, obscenity, sex offenses, investigations, hotels and motels, rentals and leasing, transportation, the Human Trafficking Commission and the Department of Adult Correction. Stein said the measure strengthens the state’s response to human trafficking and better protects minors from obscene materials.
Senate Bill 595, now Session Law 2026-31, is titled “Various Revenue Laws Changes.” The bill page lists the law as a public measure with no counties specifically cited and includes numerous affected chapters of state law, including tax, consumer protection, financial institutions, local government and alcohol laws. Stein said the bill conforms North Carolina law to IRS changes, provides tax relief for survivors of Hurricane Helene and protects seniors from financial exploitation. He also said one provision could hamper the state’s innovation economy and urged lawmakers to revisit it.
House Bill 376, now Session Law 2026-32, is titled “Water/Wastewater Affordability & Capacity Act.” The bill page lists affected areas including DHHS, public health, local government, water and sewer systems, water resources, wells and studies. Stein signed the bill without a specific statement in the governor’s July 2 release.
Editor’s note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.
