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SB 447

enabling electric utilities to own, operate, and offer advanced nuclear resources, and relative to purchased power agreements for electric distribution utilities and limitations on community customer generators.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Avard and 4 co-sponsors

Establishes a Task Force to assess NC wastewater needs and provides a one-time $50 million grant to expand and upgrade South Granville facilities, plus PFAS, meters, and lead pipe

Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 447

SB 447 — Reliable Water and Sewer Infrastructure Act (North Carolina, 2025)

Status: First Edition (introduced March 25, 2025)

Purpose / Intent

The bill establishes a legislative Task Force to study the State’s wastewater (sewer) infrastructure needs and creates one-time grant funding to expand and upgrade wastewater and water systems in south Granville County. It responds to long‑standing capital shortfalls (the 2017 State Water Infrastructure Authority estimated ~$11 billion unmet wastewater needs statewide) and aims to accelerate projects, identify financing options, and protect public health and the environment.

Key provisions

  1. Sewer Repair Task Force

    • Establishes an 18‑member Sewer Repair Task Force to:
      • Review and assess current wastewater infrastructure statewide;
      • Develop strategies for implementing wastewater treatment projects;
      • Identify barriers to financing and construction and recommend funding mechanisms (including the possibility of contributions from industrial wastewater discharges).
    • Membership (appointments described in statute):
      • 4 members of the NC House (appointed by the Speaker, one minority party);
      • 4 members of the NC Senate (appointed by the President Pro Tempore, one minority party);
      • Director of the Division of Water Infrastructure, DEQ (or designee) — ex officio, nonvoting;
      • Director of the Local Government Commission (or designee) — ex officio, nonvoting;
      • 4 county commissioners — advisory, nonvoting (appointed by legislative leaders);
      • 4 representatives of local government wastewater entities — advisory, nonvoting (appointed by legislative leaders). The statute defines eligible local wastewater entities (e.g., water & sewer authorities, sewerage districts, sanitary districts, joint agencies).
    • Administration and operations:
      • Co‑chairs appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore and House Speaker;
      • Meetings upon cochairs’ call; quorum = majority; may contract for consultants (consultant may not be a State employee or current State contractor);
      • Members receive per diem/travel per G.S. 120‑3.1; Legislative Services Office to provide staff support;
      • Task Force to consult with Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of NC, Utilities Commission, and Golden LEAF Foundation.
    • Deliverable / timeline:
      • Authorized to meet beginning July 1, 2025;
      • Final report (including proposed legislation) due to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources by December 1, 2026;
      • Task Force terminates December 1, 2026 (or upon filing of report).

  2. Appropriation — South Granville Water and Sewer Authority

    • One‑time, nonrecurring General Fund appropriation: $50,000,000 for FY 2025–2026 to the Department of Environmental Quality to grant to the South Granville Water and Sewer Authority, allocated as follows:
      • $20,000,000 — expansion of wastewater facilities serving Creedmoor and Butner;
      • $15,000,000 — upgrade wastewater treatment facilities to meet new federal PFAS standards;
      • $10,000,000 — water meter modernization;
      • $5,000,000 — lead pipe replacement to comply with new federal requirements.
    • Section 2 (the appropriation) effective July 1, 2025; remainder of the act effective upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • South Granville Water and Sewer Authority and customers in Creedmoor and Butner (direct grant recipients);
  • Local wastewater entities, county governments, and ratepayers state‑wide (Task Force recommendations may affect future projects, funding, and regulatory compliance);
  • Industries discharging wastewater (Task Force will consider potential funding contributions);
  • State agencies involved in water infrastructure planning and funding (DEQ, Local Government Commission, utilities regulators).

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Direct fiscal effect: $50 million nonrecurring General Fund appropriation for FY 2025–2026 (explicit in bill).
  • The Task Force may recommend additional financing mechanisms and statutory changes; its report is due by December 1, 2026.
  • The bill centralizes short‑term capital support for a specific regional authority while establishing a statewide planning/recommendation body to inform broader policy and funding decisions.

If you want, I can:
- Extract the exact statutory text to share with stakeholders;
- Draft a one‑page memo summarizing likely impacts on local ratepayers and permitting timelines; or
- Prepare suggested questions for Task Force members to guide hearings.

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

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