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HB 889

Office of the Corrections Ombudsman

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Susan Valdés

HB 889 directs DNCR to assume management of Fair Bluff’s River Walk facilities as part of Lumber River State Park and move Park HQ to the Lumber River Visitors Center.

Died in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
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Bill Summary · HB 889

HB 889 — Lumber River State Park Directives (North Carolina)

Status: Passed 1st Reading (House)
Introduced: November 12, 2024
Sponsor (lead): Rep. B. Jones (additional sponsors listed)
Referred to: State and Local Government (if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House)

Purpose / Intent

HB 889 directs the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) to assume responsibility for certain recreational facilities in the Town of Fair Bluff as part of Lumber River State Park and to relocate the Park Headquarters to the Town’s Lumber River Visitors Center. The bill formalizes a required Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DNCR and the Town to govern management, operations, fees, and related transfers.

Key provisions

  • DNCR is required to negotiate an MOA, no later than March 1, 2026, under which DNCR will:
    • Assume management and operation of the River Walk, adjacent park, and associated parking areas in Fair Bluff (collectively, the “Facilities”) as a unit of Lumber River State Park.
    • Use the Town’s Lumber River Visitors Center as the Park Headquarters.
  • The MOA must include, at minimum:
    1. Delineation of areas subject to Town vs. DNCR management (the MOA may provide for shared management of parking and other areas).
    2. Terms for establishing, collecting, and sharing any user fees for property usage and events at the Facilities and Center. The bill clarifies that (a) it does not require charging admission and (b) DNCR may not charge admission for Facilities/Center except for festivals/special events or rental fees for private events.
    3. Adoption and enforcement of bylaws, rules, and guidelines necessary for DNCR to manage the Facilities.
    4. Transfer or agreement on shared use, management, or implementation of assets, liabilities, contracts, or agreements between the Town and DNCR as necessary to carry out the MOA; such transfers must comply with applicable law.
  • DNCR must execute the MOA by March 1, 2026, and submit a copy to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Governmental Operations and to the Fiscal Research Division prior to the 2026 Regular Session.
  • Effective date: the act becomes effective when it becomes law.

Who is affected

  • Department of Natural and Cultural Resources: will take on management responsibilities and operate the Park unit and headquarters.
  • Town of Fair Bluff: will negotiate shared management terms, potential fee-sharing, and possible transfer/coordination of assets/contracts.
  • Local residents and visitors: potential changes in who manages the Facilities, the site designated as Park Headquarters, and any user fees for events/rentals.
  • Local governments and oversight bodies: receive MOA and may monitor implementation.

Fiscal/operational impact

The bill is directive and requires an MOA; it does not appropriate funds. Potential operational costs, revenues, or transfers depend on MOA terms and are not specified in the text. The requirement to submit the MOA to oversight and fiscal staff provides legislative visibility over fiscal implications prior to the 2026 session.

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

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