North Carolina advances major budget and election reforms

Governor Stein signed budget bill S257 (L. 2026‑41) on July 7, adding a $1,750 bonus for each local law‑enforcement officer, repealing the mandatory collection of traffic‑stop data, making the automatic license‑plate‑reader pilot program permanent, and creating a new independent Council of District Attorneys within the judicial branch.

The North Carolina Senate split the year‑long elections omnibus into two bills and sent them back to the House. The Senate version trims the early‑voting period for primaries, runoffs and special elections from 17 to 10 days, drops a proposed signature‑verification pilot, removes restrictions on foreign‑national financial involvement, and eliminates a ban on “Never Residents” voting in federal elections. Both Senate bills retain extended ballot‑counting deadlines, an auditor‑led post‑election audit and a five‑day window to challenge ballots. The measures now await House concurrence.