Bill
HB 1105
Expands safety enforcement and accountability by increasing law enforcement, magistrate capacity, penalties, and 24/7 Metrolina operations to improve transportation safety and inci
Date filed: 2026-04-29
Sponsor: Representative Logan (with co-sponsors Quick, Crawford, Morey)
Purpose and overall goal
- The bill seeks to enhance transportation safety in North Carolina by:
- Increasing law enforcement and judicial capacity in Mecklenburg County
- Tightening penalties and defining new offenses related to school bus safety, street takeovers, and reckless boating
- Strengthening the use and protection of highway camera video records
- Expanding state agency operations (Metrolina Transportation Management Center) to 24/7
- Providing targeted funding for the above changes
Key provisions and changes
1) Increase state troopers in Mecklenburg County
- Section 1(a): Adds $999,400 (recurring) from the General Fund starting FY 2026-2027 to fund 12 full-time State Trooper positions.
- Section 1(b): Positions to result in at least 12 additional troopers assigned to State Highway Patrol District H5, Troop H.
- Section 1(c): Effective July 1, 2026.
2) Increase magistrates in Mecklenburg County
- Section 2(a): Modifies G.S. 7A-133(c) to adjust magistrate and additional district court seats for Mecklenburg County (table update implied).
- Section 2(b): Administrative Office of the Courts receives $402,070 (recurring) starting FY 2026-2027 to hire 5 additional magistrates; $15,140 (nonrecurring) for 2026-2027 to support this hire.
- Section 2(c): Effective July 1, 2026.
3) Increase fines for failure to stop for a school bus; expand prima facie evidence
- Section 3(a): Rewrites G.S. 20-217:
- General violation: Class 1 misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $500; certain provisions increase to $1,000; no prayer for judgment continued.
- Aggravated violations: Higher fines for willful violations causing injury or death; specific felony classifications and minimum fines ($2,500 for death with willful violation; $7,000 potential minimum in some cases).
- Subsection (i): Prima facie evidence that the vehicle is operated by the vehicle’s registered owner, with rental proof also serving as prima facie evidence of the renter’s operation.
- Section 3(b): Effective December 1, 2026; applies to offenses on/after that date.
4) Highway camera video disclosure protections and procedures
- Section 4(a): Adds new subsection to G.S. 132-1.1 prohibiting disclosure of highway camera video records except as provided in G.S. 132-1.7B.
- Section 4(b): Creates new G.S. 132-1.7B detailing highway camera video records:
- Defines terms (disclose, highway camera, recording, personal representative, etc.)
- Limits disclosure to specified circumstances tied to investigations (vehicle chases, hit-and-runs, road rage, street races/takeovers, and other investigations where such footage would assist)
- Classifies such recordings as not public records (not subject to routine public disclosure)
- Sets written request requirements; enumerates who may receive disclosures (image/voice subjects, qualified representatives)
- Establishes assessment criteria for disclosure, including privacy, confidentiality, public interest, and potential impact on justice
- Provides an appeals process for denial of disclosure; allows superior court in-camera review
- Provides for court-ordered releases with standards and protections
- Allows law enforcement use and specific purposes; retention capped at 30 days unless court order
- Limits civil liability for good-faith compliance; fees may be charged for copies; no attorney’s fees awarded in such actions
- Prohibits use of recordings for fines or private investigations
- Prohibits elected officials from reviewing recordings except under stated criteria
- Section 4(c): Effective July 1, 2026.
5) Fund 24-hour operation of Metrolina Transportation Management Center (Charlotte)
- Section 5(a): $3,000,000 (recurring) from the Highway Fund starting FY 2026-2027 to expand Metrolina center hours to 24/7.
- Section 5(b): Additional funding in FY 2026-2027: $15,000,000 recurring and $20,000,000 nonrecurring to support 24/7 operation.
- Section 5(c): Effective July 1, 2026.
6) Increase monetary penalties for move-over law violations
- Section 6(a): Amends G.S. 20-157 to increase base fines for moving over for emergency/alert vehicles; new minimum and maximum ranges (specific amounts updated; effective December 1, 2026).
- Section 6(b): Applies to offenses on/after December 1, 2026.
7) Monetary penalty for street takeover violations
- Section 7(a): Amends G.S. 20-141.10 (street takeover):
- Violations carry a minimum fine of $1,000 (Class A1 misdemeanor)
- A second violation within 24 months becomes a Class H felony with enhanced restitution/financial penalties (including vehicle restitution)
- Authorizes restitution to cover damages to state property (per Article 81C)
- Section 7(b): Effective December 1, 2026; applies to offenses on/after that date.
8) Establish offense of death or serious injury by reckless boating
- Section 8: Adds G.S. 75A-10.4:
- Death by reckless boating: Class A1 misdemeanor
- Serious injury by reckless boating: Class 1 misdemeanor
- Aggravated death by reckless boating: Class F felony (with prior reckless vessel conviction within 7 years)
- Aggravated serious injury by reckless boating: Class I felony (with prior qualifying conviction)
- No double jeopardy with manslaughter for the same death
- Section 8(b): Effective December 1, 2026; applies to offenses on/after that date.
9) Assault on public transit operators
- Section 9(a): Repeals G.S. 14-33(c)(7).
- Section 9(b): Adds new § 14-34.6A:
- Assault causing physical injury on a public transit operator is a Class I felony
- If a firearm is used, it becomes a Class D felony
Effective date
- General effective date: All provisions not otherwise stated take effect upon enactment.
- Several sections (noted above) specify effective dates of July 1, 2026 or December 1, 2026 for applicable offenses and implementations.
Implications and potential impact
- Mecklenburg County: Increased enforcement capacity (12 troopers) and more magistrates may affect case processing and policing presence.
- School bus safety: Higher fines and stronger prima facie evidence for vehicle ownership support enforcement.
- Privacy and access to highway camera footage: Tighter controls on disclosure with strict privacy safeguards and court oversight.
- Transportation operations: 24/7 Metrolina Center expansion could improve traffic management, incident response, and statewide information sharing.
- Street takeovers and move-over violations: Higher penalties and restitution requirements aim to deter dangerous activities and protect road users and infrastructure.
- Reckless boating: New offenses expand accountability for fatal/serious injuries caused by reckless boating; new penalties emphasize deterrence.
- Public transit safety: Stronger penalties for assaults against transit operators, especially with firearms.
Who is affected
- Law enforcement agencies (State Highway Patrol, local districts)
- Mecklenburg County judiciary (magistrates, district court operations)
- Vehicle operators and vehicle owners (prima facie evidence; fines)
- Individuals involved in school bus incidents, street takeovers, and reckless boating
- Public transit operators and their agencies
- Public records and privacy stakeholders (regarding highway camera footage)
- Metrolina/Charlotte area transportation management and 24/7 operations staff
Notes
- Several provisions include multi-year phase-in dates (mostly starting FY 2026-2027 or December 2026) and specific enforcement timelines.
- The bill contains comprehensive funding provisions to support new staff, magistrate capacity, and operational expansions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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