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HB 662

Support the State Highway Patrol.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Amber Baker and 14 co-sponsors

HB 662 raises State Highway Patrol salaries, allows controlled secondary work, updates retirement return options, and funds upgraded vehicle safety features and station gear.

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Bill Summary · HB 662

Summary — HB 662: “Support the State Highway Patrol” (North Carolina, 2025)

Main purpose

HB 662 is a multi-part appropriations and policy bill designed to retain and recruit members of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (SHP), strengthen officer safety and station infrastructure, and encourage retired troopers to return to service. The bill adjusts pay, authorizes secondary employment rules, funds vehicle safety upgrades and station fuel infrastructure, and directs internal hiring policy review.

Key provisions and changes

  • Pay increases (effective July 1, 2025)

    • Appropriates $40,482,480 from the General Fund each year of the 2025–2027 biennium (to the Reserve for Compensation Increases) to establish new SHP pay scales.
    • Experience‑based annual salary schedule for troopers:
    • 0 yrs: $56,000; then $62,125; $68,250; $75,375; $80,500; $86,625; $92,750; $98,875; 8+ yrs: $105,000.
    • Rank-based annual salaries for sworn SHP personnel (2025–27 biennium):
    • Sergeant $120,750; First Sergeant $132,825; Lieutenant $146,108; Captain $160,718; Major $176,790; Lieutenant Colonel $194,469; Deputy Commander $204,193; Colonel $224,612.

  • Secondary employment policy

    • Directs the SHP Commander to develop and maintain policies (completed by July 1, 2025) permitting permanent or temporary secondary employment so long as it does not adversely affect SHP duties or create conflicts of interest.
    • Explicitly allows secondary work that uses an active, non‑probationary law enforcement certification if it complies with the policy.

  • Encouraging return of retired troopers

    • Requires the SHP to evaluate and update hiring practices by January 1, 2026 to encourage retired members to return to work in ways that do not reduce their retirement allowances (to the extent permitted by law, including Chapter 135).

  • Officer safety and vehicles

    • Appropriates (2025–26 fiscal year): $3,250,000 recurring and $20,150,000 nonrecurring to the SHP to purchase, install, and maintain bulletproof glass on all SHP vehicles.
    • Appropriates $221,000 recurring and $1,378,000 nonrecurring for bulletproof glass on State Capitol Police vehicles.
    • These vehicle upgrades are effective July 1, 2025.

  • Huntersville station infrastructure

    • Appropriates $643,150 nonrecurring (2025–26) for Huntersville SHP station: ~$640,000 for fuel infrastructure (above‑ground storage tank, FuelMaster, concrete island/awning/electrical), $3,000 for an air compressor, and $150 for a vehicle vacuum.
    • Directs the SHP to enter a memorandum of agreement with NCDOT for creation, use, and maintenance.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: SHP sworn officers and law enforcement support staff (higher base pay, rank pay), State Capitol Police, SHP stations (Huntersville).
  • State budget: General Fund appropriations for pay and capital/nonrecurring items.
  • SHP administration: tasked with drafting secondary employment rules and revising hiring policy to accommodate retirees.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Most appropriations and vehicle provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
  • Secondary employment policy must be completed by July 1, 2025.
  • Hiring policy updates to encourage retired members due by January 1, 2026.
  • Effective date language: except where specified, the act is effective when it becomes law.

Potential impacts (high level)

  • Workforce: Higher, experience‑based pay and clarified secondary employment may improve recruitment and retention.
  • Budget: Recurring and one‑time General Fund costs (noted above) increase near‑term state spending.
  • Operations: Administrative work needed to implement pay schedules, develop secondary employment policies, negotiate maintenance MOAs with NCDOT, and manage vehicle retrofits.

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

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