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Bill Summary · HB 1047

Summary of HB 1047 (2025 Session) — North Carolina Microplastics Study Act

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a structured study led by the North Carolina Collaboratory (at UNC Chapel Hill) to investigate the negative impacts of microplastics and other plastic particles in the state's waters.
  • Aims to develop strategies to address these impacts, including prevention, reduction, and potential policy recommendations.
  • Recognizes the need for both long-term statewide planning and early action to mitigate known harms to the marine and freshwater environment.

Key Provisions and Changes

Definitions (Section 1(b))

  • Creates precise terminology for the scope of the study:
    • Microplastics: 1 nanometer to 5 millimeters
    • Macroplastics: >5 millimeters
    • Nanoplastics: <1 nanometer
    • Primary microplastics: intentionally manufactured small plastics (e.g., cosmetic beads, glitter, pellets/nurdles)
    • Secondary microplastics: breakdown of larger plastics
    • Raw plastic materials: pellets or nurdles before molding
    • Plastic particles: encompasses macro, micro (primary and secondary), nanoplastics, and raw materials
  • Inland waters: permanent inland water bodies and areas with flooding characteristics

Purpose and Scope (Section 1(c))

  • Task the Collaboratory to study the potential impacts of plastic particles on state waters and develop strategies to address those impacts.
  • Emphasizes ongoing scientific research to supplement existing knowledge and promote early actions in parallel with long-term planning.

Staffing and Support (Section 1(d))

  • Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) provides staff support.
  • The Collaboratory may hire or contract additional staff as needed within available resources.
  • Staffing terms are set by the Collaboratory.

Collaboration (Section 1(e))

  • Requires collaboration with the State Division of Water Resources and other relevant agencies.
  • DEQ to cooperate and assist as requested.

Duties of the Collaboratory (Section 1(f))

  • Identify plastic particles in state waterways.
  • Research ecological harms from plastic particles.
  • Engage with stakeholders and research institutions.
  • Develop strategies to address dangers and implement measures to prevent future harm.

Specific Tasks (Section 1(g))

The Collaboratory must:
1. Conduct research and planning on controlling plastic particles in state waters.
2. Enter contracts or cost-sharing agreements for research and development.
3. Develop a comprehensive, prioritized research plan, including risk assessments.
4. Develop standardized methods for sampling, detecting, and characterizing plastics.
5. Assess ambient concentrations and environmental impacts by particle characteristics (age, size, shape, type, location).
6. Investigate sources and pathways of significant environmental impacts.
7. Develop a risk assessment framework for exposure, including human exposure via marine pathways.
8. Explore approaches to reduce introduction of plastics from major pathways, focusing on relevant sizes/shapes/types.
9. Use the risk framework to evaluate options (source reduction, product stewardship, barriers, costs/benefits).
10. Recommend policy changes (including statutory changes) or identify additional research needs.

Reporting (Section 1(h))

  • The Collaboratory must deliver a comprehensive report, including findings, the risk assessment, and recommended actions, to:
    • Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources
    • Environmental Review Commission
  • Due date: July 1, 2027.

Funding (Section 2)

  • Appropriates $150,000 (nonrecurring) from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to implement the study, including related hearings and stakeholder meetings.
  • Encourages seeking partnerships or federal grants to supplement the work.

Effective Date (Section 3)

  • The act becomes effective July 1, 2026.

Who and What Is Affected

  • Primary: The North Carolina Collaboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  • Supporting: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and other state agencies (e.g., Division of Water Resources).
  • Stakeholders include researchers, environmental groups, industry representatives, coastal and inland water users, and the general public through hearings and stakeholder meetings.

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • Initiation: Effective July 1, 2026.
  • Funding: $150,000 nonrecurring for 2026-2027 to support initial study activities.
  • Major Deliverable: A comprehensive report with findings and policy/research recommendations due to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources and the Environmental Review Commission by July 1, 2027.
  • Potential for additional partnerships and federal grants to enhance research efforts.

Bottom Line

HB 1047 creates a formal, funded, science-driven effort to understand microplastics in North Carolina waters, establish standardized methods, identify sources and pathways, assess risks (including to humans), and propose policy and practical strategies to reduce plastic particle pollution. It emphasizes collaboration across state agencies and stakeholder engagement, with a concrete reporting deadline and initial funding to kick off the study.

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

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