Stein signs property tax reappraisal moratorium, UNC capital bill
RALEIGH — Gov. Josh Stein signed two bills into law Friday, including a property tax reappraisal moratorium and a measure involving University of North Carolina System capital needs.
Stein signed Senate Bill 889, titled “Property Tax Reappraisal Moratorium,” and House Bill 1123, titled “UNC Omnibus & Capital Contracting Law Changes,” according to the Governor’s Office.
The General Assembly’s bill history lists Senate Bill 889 as Session Law 2026-8 after it was signed by the governor June 19. The bill passed the House on third reading June 10 by a 69-43 vote after earlier passing the Senate on third reading May 6 by a 35-8 vote.
In a statement released by his office, Stein said the cost of living is too high and that the new law provides tax relief for North Carolinians “who are feeling pain in their pocketbooks.” But Stein also said the law helps residents in only a few counties and is not the state’s most effective way to lower costs.
The governor also raised a concern about Hurricane Helene recovery. Stein said he was concerned about the law’s impact on recovery in Buncombe County and urged the Senate to pass Senate Bill 474, which he said would shield Buncombe County and other jurisdictions recovering from the storm.
House Bill 1123 became Session Law 2026-9 after the governor’s signature, according to the General Assembly’s bill listing. Stein’s statement on that bill was brief, saying it “will help meet the capital needs of institutions in the University of North Carolina system.”
The signing of the two measures comes as lawmakers continue work in the 2025-26 session and as state and local governments continue to address property tax, higher education and recovery issues. The governor’s statement did not announce vetoes or additional bill action Friday.
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.
