General Assembly Committee Discusses H.R. 1, SNAP Changes, and Rural Healthcare Impacts
The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services met January 14 to hear how the state is handling new administrative rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) stemming from H.R.1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Legislators heard from the director of the Brunswick County Department of Social Services, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association. Conversation mostly revolved around the importance of SNAP revenue in local economies and the increased need for resources at the county and state levels to support increased workloads. Counties are currently estimated to need a cumulative $67 million in additional administrative funding, and the state may need to provide up to $420 million toward SNAP benefits, though that number could decrease as counties lower their error rates in eligibility determinations.
The meeting ended with a briefing on the state’s recent receipt of $213 million for a Rural Health Transformation Fund, intended to bolster hospitals and healthcare systems affected by declining Medicaid revenue due to H.R. 1, often in rural areas. Rather than directly replacing lost revenue, the funds are intended to improve administrative efficiencies, streamline workforce training, and improve health outcomes. Meeting agendas and presentations are available here.
NCACC Presents on H.R. 1 Impacts to Medicaid Administration
NCACC Executive Director Kevin Leonard presented to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid on January 14 to share the counties’ perspectives on increased Medicaid administrative requirements resulting from H.R.1. His comments highlighted the massive financial burden shifted from the federal level to counties, the need for calendar flexibility for counties to correctly implement the newly mandated administrative changes, and the counties’ need for increased funding to appropriately staff up and implement new software efficiencies to best comply with the new regulations. He also stressed that counties need early and clear direction from the state on available financial resources so they have time to accurately build out their 2026-2027 budget proposals for commissioners to approve by July 1. Meeting agendas and presentations are available here.
NCACC Presents on Property Tax
The House Select Committee on Property Tax Reduction and Reform met Wednesday, January 14 to continue legislative discussion on property tax changes. The presentations provided information on the uniformity clause in the state constitution and how it applies to property tax, the role of county government, what property tax is used for, and the property tax exemptions currently in place. NCACC Executive Director Kevin Leonard presented on the importance of property taxes to counties and the essential programs and services these taxes fund. NCACC Director of Tax and Finance Outreach David Baker presented information on the increase in use of the low- and moderate-income housing tax exemption across the state. The committee is considering legislation for the upcoming short session, and NCACC staff are actively engaged in these discussions. The committee will meet again on February 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Meeting agendas and presentations are available here.
Follow NCACC on Social for Additional Updates
NCACC Executive Director Kevin Leonard shared another video update highlighting how counties serve their communities. In today’s video, he explains the services counties provide and will continue sharing updates across platforms as our advocacy for protecting county revenue continues. If you have any questions, please email the NCACC Advocacy & Policy team.