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HB 1207

Keeping NC Open for Business.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Eric Ager and 10 co-sponsors

The bill creates a Municipal Winter Road Operations Cost Share Program that reimburses NC municipalities up to 75% of snow/ice response costs and equipment, contingent on private N

Passed 1st Reading
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Bill Summary · HB 1207

Summary of HB 1207 (Keeping NC Open for Business) — North Carolina, Session 2025

Main purpose

HB 1207 establishes a Municipal Winter Road Operations Cost Share Program within the Department of Transportation (NCDOT). The program aims to improve municipal preparedness and response to snow and ice events by supporting equipment acquisition, staffing readiness, and coordinated contracting for snow and ice removal on municipal streets and public rights-of-way. The bill emphasizes reducing economic disruption, improving emergency access, and shortening recovery time after winter storms.

Key provisions and changes

  • Program creation and administration

    • Adds Article 14D to Chapter 136: the Municipal Winter Road Operations Cost Share Program.
    • NCDOT administers the program and reimburses municipalities for eligible costs.

  • Allowable reimbursements (up to 75%)

    • Outfitting municipal vehicles (e.g., sanitation trucks, dump trucks) with snow plows, salt spreaders, or liquid de-icing systems.
    • Installation of cameras, GPS tracking devices, and related data systems.
    • Operational costs related to snow/ice response: staffing, training, fuel, materials, and contracted services.
    • Payments to contracted private snow-removal providers (when used).

  • Contracting requirements

    • Municipalities must contract with one or more private snow-removal providers located within North Carolina for supplemental services, as a condition of reimbursement.
    • Reimbursement is allowed for snow/ice removal by public municipal services if they meet article requirements.
    • Triggers for contracting include: at least 1 inch of snowfall or 0.1 inch of ice, with forecasted temperatures remaining below freezing after the following sunrise.
    • The Department may set minimum contractual standards (e.g., response time, equipment, documentation).

  • Equipment and data requirements

    • Funded vehicles must have forward- and plow-facing cameras and GPS tracking.
    • Collected data used for service verification, billing/reimbursement documentation, and transparency for officials.

  • Public plowing status map

    • Municipalities must provide a real-time or near-real-time map showing snow/ice removal activity on streets (including plowed routes) using GPS data.

  • Application and prioritization

    • The Department will require municipalities to submit: winter road operations plan, proposed equipment acquisitions, contracted service arrangements, and documentation of local matching funds.

  • Evaluation criteria for reimbursements

    • Consider local match amount, population served and commercial activity affected, demonstrated need and existing capacity, geographic distribution, and the ratio of municipal to state-maintained roads.

  • Reporting

    • Annual report to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee detailing reimbursements, funds expended, municipal participation, and observed impacts.

Financial appropriations and timeline

  • Recurring funding: $10 million per fiscal year (starting 2026–2027) to support operational costs under the program.
  • Nonrecurring funding (equipment): $20 million for 2026–2027 to acquire/install snow/ice-removal equipment (funds not reverting).
  • Salt/brine reserve: $5 million (nonrecurring) from the Highway Fund for 2026–2027 to build a salt/brine reserve for local governments, prioritized by need, geography, and population.
  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.

Who is affected

  • Municipalities in North Carolina: Eligible for reimbursements for snow/ice response costs and equipment purchases; must meet contracting and data-reporting requirements.
  • Private snow-removal providers (within NC): Eligible to provide contracted services as part of the program.
  • Residents and businesses: Potentially improved winter road reliability and faster emergency access due to enhanced municipal snow/ice response.
  • State agencies/NTDOT: Administers program, reviews applications, and compiles annual reporting.

Significant procedural notes

  • The act requires rules on minimum contractual standards, equipment, and documentation.
  • Municipalities must maintain public plow status maps and enable GPS data sharing.
  • Funding is recurring and nonrecurring with specified timelines, and there is a dedicated salt/brine reserve allocation to assist local governments.

Effective July 1, 2026, subject to appropriation and implementation of rules.

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

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