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HB 903

Public Records - As introduced, authorizes records custodians to charge a fee to view records if the records requested reasonably require more than one hour of an employee's time to collect for inspection by the requestor; specifies that the hourly rate for inspection be set in proportion to the rate of pay of the employee who is collecting the records. - Amends TCA Title 10, Chapter 7.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Greg Vital

HB 903 increases Mecklenburg County trooper and magistrate staffing, tightens school-bus stopping penalties, restricts access to highway camera videos, and expands Metrolina TMC op

P2C, ref. to State & Local Government Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 903

HB 903 — Highway and Road Safety Act

Status: Passed 1st Reading (House); Edition 1 introduced April 14, 2025

Purpose / Intent

HB 903 is a multi-part transportation and public-safety bill focused on increasing law‑enforcement and judicial capacity in Mecklenburg County, strengthening penalties and enforcement tools for school‑bus violations, regulating access to NCDOT highway‑camera recordings, and expanding certain NCDOT operations (Metrolina TMC). The bill combines appropriations, criminal penalties, evidentiary rules, and record‑access restrictions intended to improve roadway safety and investigative capabilities.

Key provisions

  • Increase State Troopers in Mecklenburg County

    • Appropriates $999,400 (recurring) and $1,088,592 (nonrecurring) for FY 2025–26 to fund 12 full‑time State Trooper positions.
    • Requires at least 12 additional troopers be assigned to State Highway Patrol District H5 (Troop H).
    • Effective: July 1, 2025.

  • Increase Magistrates in Mecklenburg County

    • Raises the county’s magistrate allocation (text indicates an increase from approx. 38.5 to 43.5 seats) and funds five additional magistrates.
    • Appropriates $402,070 (recurring) and $15,140 (nonrecurring) to the Administrative Office of the Courts for FY 2025–26.
    • Effective: July 1, 2025.

  • Tougher penalties & evidentiary rule for failing to stop for school bus (G.S. 20‑217)

    • Raises the minimum fine for violating the stop‑for‑school‑bus statute from $500 to $1,000 (Class 1 misdemeanor); no prayer for judgment continued.
    • If a willful violation strikes a person: increases penalty to Class I felony and minimum fine from $1,250 to $4,500.
    • If death results: Class H felony and minimum fine increased from $2,500 to $7,000.
    • Expands prima facie evidence: vehicle registration (and, for rentals, proof of rental) is prima facie evidence that the registrant/renter was the operator at the time of the violation.
    • Effective: December 1, 2025 (applies to offenses on/after that date).

  • NCDOT highway camera recording, storage, and disclosure (new G.S. 132‑1.7B)

    • Defines “highway camera” recordings and classifies them as not public records.
    • Authorizes cameras to record/store incidents at law‑enforcement request for investigations (vehicle chases, hit‑and‑runs, road rage, street races/takeovers, etc.).
    • Limits disclosure: recordings may be disclosed only to persons pictured/recorded (or specified personal representatives) via written request; only relevant portions may be disclosed and recipients may not copy the recording.

  • Metrolina Transportation Management Center (TMC)

    • Directs expansion of operational hours for the NCDOT Metrolina TMC in Charlotte (text in summary indicates expansion; specific hours or funding not detailed in provided excerpt).

Who is affected

  • Mecklenburg County residents (increased patrol presence; additional magistrates).
  • Motorists, especially drivers near school buses — higher fines and felony exposure for serious violations.
  • Vehicle owners and rental companies — vehicle registration or rental records can be used as prima facie evidence of operator identity in prosecutions/hearings.
  • NCDOT and law‑enforcement agencies — new procedures for use, storage, and controlled disclosure of highway camera video; expanded TMC operations.
  • Judicial system and AOC — increased magistrate staffing and related recurring costs.

Fiscal impact & timeline

  • Specified FY 2025–26 appropriations:
    • $999,400 recurring + $1,088,592 nonrecurring for 12 troopers.
    • $402,070 recurring + $15,140 nonrecurring for five magistrates.
  • Section effective dates: most staffing sections effective July 1, 2025; school bus penalty changes effective December 1, 2025.
  • Further fiscal effects (e.g., for expanded TMC operations) are not fully detailed in provided text.

Procedural posture

  • Introduced / read 1st time; referred to committees (Appropriations; Finance, if favorable; Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House). Status recorded as “Passed 1st Reading.” (See legislative calendar for subsequent committee actions.)

If you want, I can:
- Extract the full statutory language for any specific section (e.g., G.S. 20‑217 or new G.S. 132‑1.7B),
- Prepare a side‑by‑side of current law vs. changes under HB 903, or
- Summarize anticipated administrative or enforcement implications in greater detail.

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

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