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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ordered Enrolled2026-06-24

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill addresses water and wastewater affordability and system capacity in North Carolina. It requires local governments seeking to sell public water/sewer systems to private companies to hold public hearings and demonstrate the sale is in the public interest. It also establishes rules for water rate increases to customers outside municipal boundaries, modifies stormwater control requirements for redevelopment, updates on-site wastewater system regulations, and streamlines private drinking water well permitting processes.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill protects public interests by requiring transparency when selling water systems to private companies, preventing rate increases that burden ratepayers, and reducing regulatory barriers that increase construction costs.
• •The bill allows for more efficient redevelopment by not retroactively applying stormwater controls to existing structures, promotes innovation in wastewater treatment through advanced pretreatment systems, and simplifies well permitting to increase housing availability and affordability.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue that requiring public hearings for system sales could discourage needed private investment in aging water infrastructure, and limiting rate increases to 25% above in-boundary rates may prevent private operators from covering actual service costs.
• •Some may be concerned that reducing local health department authority over well permitting and wastewater systems could compromise water quality oversight, and that exempting existing development from stormwater controls may increase environmental risks and strain water resources.