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HB 927

Durham Funding Bill.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Vernetta Alston and 4 co-sponsors

HB 927 directs targeted NC funding to Durham for parks, wastewater infrastructure, court modernization, and a DOT study to reassess rural-urban road funding.

Passed 1st Reading
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Bill Summary · HB 927

Summary — HB 927 (Durham Funding Bill)

Status: Passed 1st Reading (April 14, 2025)
Introduced: November 12, 2024
Primary sponsors (NC version): Representatives Hawkins, Morey, Alston, and Jeffers
Scope: Appropriations and directed grants for the City and County of Durham; DOT study of roadway funding

Purpose / Intent

HB 927 directs targeted state funding to address infrastructure, parks, court modernization, legal access, and cultural commemoration needs in Durham, and requires the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to reexamine how roadway projects are funded—particularly with regard to rural/urban funding equity.

Key provisions and dollar amounts

All appropriations are for the 2025–2026 fiscal year unless noted.

  • City of Durham (General Fund, nonrecurring) — $1,000,000 total

    • $500,000 — maintenance and equipment for city parks
    • $500,000 — landfill expansion

  • Durham County (General Fund, nonrecurring) — $30,000,000

    • For enhancement and upgrades to county wastewater utility infrastructure in the Research Triangle Park area to support economic development and growth

  • Stagville Memorial Project (General Fund, nonrecurring) — $237,000

    • Support for design and development of an art installation honoring Stagville descendants

  • NCDOT / Durham County (Highway Fund, nonrecurring) — $500,000

    • Allocated to repair and improve “orphan roads” in non‑municipal areas so they meet DOT minimum construction requirements for addition to the State highway system

  • Administrative Office of the Courts (General Fund)

    • $503,481 nonrecurring and $14,004,393 recurring — to provide 219 positions statewide to implement and operate the eCourts system (intended to maintain court efficiency, reduce delays, and prevent backlog)

  • Durham County legal support center (General Fund, nonrecurring) — $500,000

    • For staffing, operations, and legal resource materials to establish a center modeled on Wake County’s to assist self‑represented litigants

  • Durham County court staff retention (General Fund, recurring) — $180,000 annually

    • Salary enhancements / retention incentives and professional development for court staff

  • Durham County Special Proceedings & Estates courtroom (General Fund, nonrecurring) — $100,000

    • CRAVE hardware and related hardware/software/training to enable remote hearings and modernize courtroom operations

  • NCDOT study (statutory directive)

    • A study to reevaluate procedures, policies, and criteria used in funding roadway projects and expansions—examining coordination between State and rural localities, need for increased State funding, and whether changes to the State Transportation Improvement (STI) project funding formula are warranted.

Who is affected / benefits

  • Direct recipients: City of Durham; Durham County; Stagville Memorial Project; Administrative Office of the Courts; Durham County courtrooms and staff.
  • Indirect beneficiaries: Durham residents (parks, waste management, roads, court services), businesses and employers in RTP (via wastewater infrastructure), self‑represented litigants (legal support center), and communities served by improved road funding policies.
  • State agencies: NCDOT (study and possible policy changes); Administrative Office of the Courts (staffing & eCourts operations).

Fiscal/timing notes & effective dates

  • Most appropriations are nonrecurring one‑time funds for FY 2025–2026, except:
    • $14,004,393 recurring to fund 219 eCourts positions (ongoing)
    • $180,000 recurring for court staff retention
  • Sections 1–8 (the appropriations and local grants) become effective July 1, 2025. The remainder of the bill is effective upon enactment.
  • Procedural status: Passed first reading April 14, 2025; referred to Appropriations (if favorable), then Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

Note: Multiple states and draft texts use the same bill number (HB 927) for unrelated measures; this summary focuses on the North Carolina “Durham Funding Bill” content.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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