06/02/2026
Interesting bills:
Still no budget!
NC is the only state in the nation that didn’t pass a new budget last year (The continuation budget that funded this year at 2024-25 budget levels doesn’t count.). To encourage lawmakers to fulfill their primary duty moving forward, two bills were introduced in April.
SB 806 No Budget, No Pay Act would hold back (in escrow) salaries for NC lawmakers starting July 1, 2026 if they fail to pass a budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year by June 30, 2026. Funds will be released only if lawmakers pass a budget or if the current legislative session is adjourned without setting a date to reconvene. This bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations/Base Budget, but it hasn’t been put on their agenda for discussion.
A similar, but much more stringent bill was introduced in the House.
HB 1039 Constitutional Amendment: No Budget, No Pay amends the North Carolina Constitution to forfeit salaries of all state lawmakers if the General Assembly doesn’t pass a budget by the end of the fiscal year (June 30). Salaries would be forfeited from July 1 until a budget is passed or a new legislative session begins. The bill was referred to the Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House and hasn’t moved since April 23.
Content Courtesy of Public Schools First NC
