House Select Committee on Property Tax Reduction & Reform Votes to Advance Two Legislative Proposals
The House Select Committee on Property Tax Reduction & Reform met on Wednesday, April 15 to vote on two legislative proposals aimed at property tax reform. The first legislative proposal was a constitutional amendment to be placed on the ballot during the November general election; the amendment would require the General Assembly to place a levy limit on local property taxes. The committee voted to advance the proposal, which means that it will be submitted as a committee recommendation and filed as a bill to be considered by the full House of Representatives. Some committee members opposed the proposal, saying that it would negatively impact local governments’ capacity to deliver core services, but the motion was approved despite these concerns.
The committee also voted to advance a legislative proposal to close a loophole in a property tax exemption for affordable housing developments. This legislation would implement robust eligibility requirements for entities seeking to apply for the property tax exemption. Two draft bills intended to modify property and sales tax exemptions for nonprofit hospitals were included in committee’s interim report, but were not voted on during the meeting and were not included in committee’s recommendations.
Both of the approved legislative proposals will need to be filed during the legislative short session and passed by the House and Senate before they can be implemented. The NCACC will continue to stand up and advocate for the importance of property taxes in delivering county services, and the need for flexibility in setting those tax rates. For more information on property taxes, please visit the NCACC Property Tax Information & Resources page. If you have questions, please contact the NCACC Advocacy and Policy team at [email protected].
House Select Committee on Involuntary Commitment and Public Safety Recommends a Variety of Legislative Proposals
The House Select Committee on Involuntary Commitment and Public Safety held its final meeting this week, concluding a process that began in late 2025 following the passage of “Iryna’s Law.” That legislation made significant changes to state procedures governing criminal defendants with a history of mental illness, with the goal of keeping more individuals off the streets while awaiting trial. A central component of those changes involved the state’s involuntary commitment (IVC) process. The committee was tasked with recommending adjustments to those IVC-related provisions.
The committee’s report, released Tuesday, outlines several recommendations that could affect medical providers, law enforcement, county jails, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), and others involved in the IVC process. Key recommendations include:
- Expanding the pool of medical professionals authorized to conduct IVC evaluations;
- Providing state funding to implement telehealth capabilities in jails to facilitate initial IVC examinations — aimed at reducing wait times, transportation challenges, and safety concerns;
- Directing state-funded regional behavioral health management entities (LME/MCOs) to expand the use of mobile crisis units within the IVC process; and
- Requiring NCDHHS to develop a plan to increase patient capacity at state-operated psychiatric facilities.
These recommendations will need to be incorporated into draft legislation when the General Assembly reconvenes for the short session next week. Any resulting bill must be approved by both chambers and signed by the governor before taking effect.