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Bill Summary · HB 1113

Summary: HB 1113 (Session 2025) — Extend Shellfish Leasing Moratorium (North Carolina)

Purpose and Intent

  • Extend the moratorium on new shellfish leases within a defined North Carolina coastal area.
  • Specifically targets preventing new shellfish cultivation leases and new water column leases for aquaculture in the designated waters until specified dates.

Key Provisions

Section 1: Moratorium Extension

  • The existing moratorium on new shellfish cultivation leases and new water column leases remains in effect for the waters described by a geographic boundary (the area enclosed by a specified line that runs along several landmarks including the Highway 70 High Rise Bridge, Radio Island, the Emerald Isle Bridge, and nearby shoreline)
  • The moratorium expiration dates are:
    • Original expiration: July 1, 2026
    • Extended expiration: July 1, 2031
  • Definitions:
    • A “new shellfish cultivation lease” or “new water column lease” includes applications received by the Secretary (of the Department) for either type of lease, but not granted as of July 1, 2019.

Section 1: Effect and Application

  • Effective date for the extension: June 30, 2026.
  • Applies to:
    • The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Division of Marine Fisheries, when considering new lease applications submitted on or after June 30, 2026.
    • Applications for a new shellfish cultivation lease or a new water column lease that were received by the Secretary but not granted as of July 1, 2019.

Section 2: Appropriations for Public Education

  • Allocates $10,000 (nonrecurring) from the General Fund for the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
  • Purpose: Public education activities and other notifications regarding the moratorium extension.

Section 3: Effective Date

  • The act becomes effective July 1, 2026, aside from any provisions specified otherwise.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Shellfish developers and prospective lessees: The moratorium remains in place for the specified area, delaying new leases for cultivation and water column use through July 1, 2031. Applicants received after June 30, 2026 will be subject to the extended moratorium if they fall within the covered scope.
  • North Carolina coastal communities and environment: The extension aims to manage growth of aquaculture leasing, potentially impacting economic development timelines for shellfish operations and guiding conservation or competition considerations in the region.
  • Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries: Responsible for administering the moratorium and reviewing applications under the extended timeline.
  • Public awareness: A dedicated, modest funding allocation is provided to inform the public about the extended moratorium.

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • Effective June 30, 2026; extended moratorium governs new leases for applications received after that date but not yet granted as of July 1, 2019.
  • Extended moratorium lasts until July 1, 2031 (subject to future legislative action or amendments).
  • The bill is a public act that modifies the moratorium period within the defined geographic area.

Notes

  • The boundary description defines a relatively specific coastal region around New Hanover County, Emerald Isle, and nearby waters. The moratorium applies notwithstanding general aquaculture leasing statutes (G.S. 113-202 and 113-202.1).
  • The summary focuses on substantive effects, not political debate or non-substantive details.

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

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