Pair of bills advancing in North Carolina budget's shadow
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
While the state budget is sucking up most of the air in the General Assembly this week, some other consequential pieces of legislation are advancing quickly.
Why it matters: A newly fast-tracked bill rewrites North Carolina's homeless policy to align with Trump administration priorities, and a House proposal would eliminate sales taxes on period products, baby wipes and diapers.
⛺️ Banning public camping
Both chambers passed legislation that bans camping on public property unless it's done in a recreational context.
- Residents and business owners could sue local governments that don't follow the new rules.
Zoom in: Republicans argued House Bill 437 is necessary to ensure money doesn't stop flowing from the federal government.
- They cited President Trump's executive order on "Ending Crime and Disorder of America's Streets." It instructs federal agencies — including the Department of Housing and Urban Development — to prioritize awarding grants to states that enforce public camping bans.
State of play: The legislation was filed over a year ago, but picked up speed last week. A final vote was held Tuesday in the House.
What's next: The bill is now on Gov. Josh Stein's desk.
- Several Democrats and unaffiliated House members voted with Republicans, meaning a veto by Stein could likely be overridden.
🚺 Eliminating diaper, baby wipe, tampon taxes
Wake County Republican Rep. Mike Schietzelt filed House Bill 1200 this spring, saying it would put "approximately $75 million back in the pockets of women and families."
- The legislation would lift sales taxes on diapers, baby wipes and period products, effective April 1.
The latest: The House unanimously passed the bill Tuesday a few hours after its first committee hearing, an unusually quick turnaround.
Yes, but: Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters Wednesday that it was notable the bill wasn't in the budget, meaning its passage could be merely symbolic.
- The Senate hasn't yet calendared the bill.
State of play: North Carolina is one of 18 states that tax menstrual products, per Period Law tracking.
- 23 states tax diapers, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.
💰 Final budget votes
The budget sailed through initial votes in both chambers Wednesday with some bipartisan support.
- Final passage is slated for Thursday.