WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 770

Motor Vehicles - As introduced, increases, to the extent permissible under federal law, the maximum gross vehicle weight of a vehicle with an axle group of three axles that can be operated on the public highways of this state to 85,000 pounds. - Amends TCA Title 55.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by John Crawford

The bill creates a statewide, specialized process using trained non-judicial hearing officers to identify, adjudicate, and issue binding orders in complex family financial cases (e

Failed in s/c Transportation Subcommittee of Transportation Committee
#motorvehicles
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 770

Summary — HB 770: Establish Procedure for Complex Family Financial Cases

Status: Passed 1st Reading (House). Introduced: April 3, 2025. (Referred to Judiciary 2, Appropriations, Finance, Rules.)
Short title in bill: “Establish Procedure/Complex Family Financial Cases.”

Purpose / Intent

Create a statutory process to identify, assign, and adjudicate “complex family financial cases” through specialized, non‑judicial hearing officers employed by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). The goal is to concentrate expertise, streamline resolution of complex financial family law disputes, and provide a uniform statewide procedure.

Key provisions

  • New Article added to Chapter 50 (Article 6) defining and governing “complex family financial cases.”
  • Definition of eligible claims: equitable distribution, alimony, post‑separation support, child support, or any combination of those claims.
  • Creation of hearing officer positions:
    • Hearing officers (and a chief hearing officer) are AOC employees appointed by the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court.
    • The chief hearing officer determines which matters qualify as complex family financial cases, assigns cases, and prepares reports.
  • Minimum qualifications for hearing officers:
    • Licensed NC attorney in good standing.
    • Substantial prior involvement in complex family financial cases over the prior 10 years: average at least 600 hours per year and no fewer than 400 hours in any single year.
    • In the prior 5 years: at least 45 hours of qualifying CLE in family law/related fields (minimum 6 CLE hours per year); up to 9 hours may be in related fields; parenting‑coordinator training excluded.
    • Satisfactory peer review from 10 independent lawyers or judges.
  • Powers and duties of hearing officers:
    • Conduct hearings statewide, take testimony, establish a record, subpoena witnesses/documents.
    • Enter temporary, interim and final orders with the same force and effect as orders entered by a district court judge, including rulings on motions under G.S. 1A‑1 and relevant local rules.
    • Must complete at least 9 hours of family‑law‑related CLE each year (with limits on qualifying categories).
  • Compensation and benefits:
    • Annual salary set equal to business court judges as provided in the Current Operations Appropriations Act.
    • Reimbursement and travel allowances aligned with state employee rules, except no travel allowance for travel within a hearing officer’s county of residence.
    • Longevity pay in lieu of other merit increments: 4.8% after 5 years, 9.6% after 10, 14.4% after 15, 19.2% after 20, and 24% after 25 years of qualifying “service” (broadly defined to include various judicial and court roles).

Who is affected

  • Litigants in family law matters involving complex financial issues (equitable distribution, alimony, child support, post‑separation support).
  • Family law attorneys (new forum and procedural rules; CLE obligations for hearing officers).
  • North Carolina AOC and the Supreme Court (administration, appointment, oversight).
  • State budget/appropriations (salaries and related costs for new hearing officer positions).

Procedural/timeline aspects

  • Parties may file a Notice of Designation in district court to request classification as a complex family financial case; the chief hearing officer makes final designation decisions.
  • Opposing parties have 30 days after service of the Notice to file an opposition (reasons not asserted are waived).
  • Hearing officers can handle designated cases statewide and issue orders equivalent to district court orders.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Expected benefits: centralized expertise for complex financial matters, potentially faster and more consistent resolutions.
  • Costs: new salaried positions and associated travel/CLE costs paid from State funds (amounts depend on appropriations; salaries tied to business court judge pay scale).
  • Access and strategy: litigants and counsel will need to adapt to a parallel adjudicatory track outside the typical district court judge docket; designation procedures and standards (G.S. 50‑114 factors referenced) will shape which cases transfer to the new process.

For more detail, see the bill text (Article 6 additions to Chapter 50) for the designation criteria (G.S. 50‑114 cross‑reference), full appointment and administrative procedures, and exact appropriations language (salaries referenced to the Current Operations Appropriations Act).

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

Sign in to ask a question.