Today’s NC Political News briefs
Recent North Carolina government action includes budget changes, election law updates, a homeland security appointment and state regulatory actions.
Recent North Carolina government action includes several new state laws, election administration changes, a senior homeland security appointment and regulatory actions from state agencies.
Budget modifications bill becomes law
Gov. Josh Stein signed House Bill 562, now Session Law 2026-58, on Aug. 11, making further adjustments to the 2026 state budget. The law redirects $1.5 million in nonrecurring funds to the Department of Health and Human Services for a directed grant to HBOT 4 Heroes for hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment for veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. It also redirects certain local grant funds, creates an “America’s Semiquincentennial” standard license plate option and provides recurring funds for positions at the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Department of Labor. Source: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/H562
Election administration law enacted
House Bill 834 became Session Law 2026-60 on Aug. 11. The law extends several ballot cure and counting deadlines from the third business day after an election to the fifth business day after an election, including deadlines tied to incomplete registration forms, provisional ballot signatures, photo identification and some absentee ballot deficiencies. It also changes procedures for absentee ballot counting, early voting equipment security and judicial review of State Board of Elections decisions. Source: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/H834
Regulatory reform package signed
Senate Bill 445, the Regulatory Reform Act of 2026, became Session Law 2026-59 on Aug. 11. The broad law changes multiple areas of state regulation, including administrative law review, local development rules, flag-display restrictions in property covenants, manufactured housing definitions, temporary event electrical work, occupational licensing exemptions, private swim instruction in private pools and local glazing and transparency requirements for commercial and mixed-use buildings. Source: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/S445
General Assembly appointments become law
Senate Bill 1092 became Session Law 2026-55, appointing or reappointing people to public offices upon recommendations from the Senate president pro tempore and House speaker. The appointments include community college boards of trustees, the 911 Board, the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission, the Council of Internal Auditing, the UNC Health Care System Board of Directors, the Turnpike Authority, the Environmental Management Commission, the Governor’s Crime Commission, the North Carolina Banking Commission and other public bodies. Source: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/S1092
Stein names senior adviser for homeland security
Gov. Josh Stein appointed Jeff Smythe as senior adviser for homeland security on Aug. 10. Smythe previously served as director of the N.C. Division of Emergency Management and as executive director of the N.C. Emergency Management Association. Stein said the role will involve helping North Carolina prepare for and respond to emergencies. Source: https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2026/08/10/governor-stein-appoints-jeff-smythe-senior-advisor-homeland-security
DEQ opens comment period on dam safety rule revisions
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality said Aug. 6 it will accept public comments and hold hearings on proposed dam safety rule revisions. The public comment period runs through Oct. 14, with public hearings scheduled in September. The rulemaking is tied to state oversight of dam safety, including permitting, hazard classification and emergency action planning. Source: https://www.deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2026/08/06/ncdeq-accept-comments-hold-hearings-dam-safety-rule-revisions
ABC permits suspended after fatal shooting
The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division suspended ABC permits at a Dunn bar after a fatal shooting, the Department of Public Safety said Aug. 7. The action is a state regulatory enforcement move involving alcohol permits and public safety oversight. Source: https://www.ncdps.gov/news/press-releases/2026/08/07/abc-permits-suspended-dunn-bar-after-fatal-shooting
Insurance fraud charge filed in Guilford County case
Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced Aug. 6 that a Guilford County woman had been charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense. The Department of Insurance said the charges were connected to a claim involving a reported vehicle crash. Source: https://www.ncdoi.gov/news/press-releases/2026/08/06/guilford-county-woman-faces-insurance-fraud-false-pretense-charges
