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SB 1028

NC Airport Security Continuity.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Michael Garrett and 2 co-sponsors

Establishes a $25 million NC Emergency Fund to provide interest-free loans to TSO and FAA air traffic controllers unpaid due to federal funding lapses, with repayment once back pay

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1028

Summary: NC Airport Security Continuity (SB 1028, 2025 Session)

Purpose and Intent

  • Enacts the “NC Airport Security Continuity and Federal Worker Relief Act.”
  • Establishes an Emergency Fund within the North Carolina Highway Fund to provide financial relief to certain airport workers when federal funding lapses affect their pay.

Key Provisions

1) Creation of Emergency Fund

  • Establishes the NC Federal Worker Airport Security Emergency Fund (an emergency fund) as a special fund within the Highway Fund.
  • Administered by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Division of Aviation.
  • Funds are designated as emergency operational continuity grants.

2) Eligible Workers and Situations

  • The fund provides interest-free loans to individuals working at an airport located in North Carolina (eligible airports) who have not been paid due to a lapse in federal funding.
  • Qualifying positions include:
    • Transportation Security Officer (TSO) employed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), performing federally mandated screening duties.
    • Air Traffic Controller employed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
  • Payments occur only when there is a lapse in federal funding resulting in at least 14 consecutive days of unpaid wages.

3) Allocation, Administration, and Repayment

  • The Division (NCDOT Division of Aviation) may allocate funds to an eligible airport only after the Secretary of Transportation certifies the 14-day unpaid period.
  • Responsibilities for the airport once funds are allocated:
    • Determine eligibility and the loan amount.
    • Disburse the loan to the affected worker.
    • Administer automatic loan repayment when back pay from the federal government is issued.
    • Comply with any additional requirements set by the Division.

4) Rulemaking and Procedures

  • The Division must establish procedures and adopt rules to implement the act.

5) Reporting

  • Within 60 days of an allocation, the Division must report to:
    • House Appropriations Committee on Transportation (HB)
    • Senate Appropriations Committee on the Department of Transportation
    • Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee (JLTOC)
    • Fiscal Research Division

6) Funding and Availability

  • Appropriates $25,000,000 in nonrecurring funds from the Highway Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to be transferred to the NC Federal Worker Airport Security Emergency Fund.
  • Funds in the Emergency Fund do not revert and remain available for use in accordance with the act.

7) Effective Date

  • The act becomes effective upon becoming law.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Eligible Airport Workers: TSOs and FAA air traffic controllers at North Carolina airports who go unpaid due to federal funding lapses. They would be eligible for an interest-free loan to bridge pay gaps of at least 14 days.
  • Airport Employers (Local Airports): Responsible for administering the loan, determining eligibility and loan amounts, disbursing funds, and managing automatic repayment upon federal back pay.
  • State Agencies: NCDOT, Division of Aviation would oversee Fund administration, rulemaking, reporting, and oversight.
  • State Finances: Creation of a $25 million nonrecurring fund for the purpose, with funds remaining available for use rather than reverting.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Certification prerequisite: A 14-day consecutive unpaid period must be certified by the Secretary of Transportation before funds can be allocated.
  • Allocation reporting: A formal report is due within 60 days after any allocation.
  • Funding timeline: The bill provides a one-time nonrecurring appropriation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year; ongoing sustainability depends on future allocations or funding decisions.
  • Administrative framework: The Division will establish procedures and rules to implement the program.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary for a specific audience (e.g., policymakers, airport administrators, or general public) or provide a side-by-side comparison with existing North Carolina emergency funding programs.

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

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