Bill
HB 23
Implements targeted local government changes, including a new State trail and land transfer to Burgaw, and codifies the Lake Norman Marine Commission.
Status
- Enacted as Session Law 2025‑67. Signed by the Governor July 7, 2025; effective January 1, 2026 (per legislative record).
Overview / Purpose
- A multi‑part omnibus bill making targeted, non‑controversial changes to state and local government law. It authorizes specific local projects and organizational changes, transfers a parcel of State land to a municipality, adds a new State trail, and codifies an existing lake commission in statute.
Key provisions (by Part)
- Part I — Stanly Community College: Repeals Section 9.15 of S.L. 2017‑57, thereby allowing Stanly Community College to operate a culinary program at an off‑main‑campus site (i.e., not limited to the college’s main campus).
Part II — Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail (Brunswick County): Authorizes the Gullah Geechee Greenway/Blueway Heritage Trail. The State will support, promote, encourage and facilitate trail segments on State park lands and on lands controlled by federal, State, local or private owners. For trail segments on non‑State lands, those landowners’ laws/rules govern use.
Part III — Property transfer to Town of Burgaw: Conveys ~11 acres (from a ~355.73‑acre parcel, Land Asset ID 6095; PIN 3229‑04‑1665‑0000) to the Town of Burgaw for $1. Conveyance is:
Part IV — South Fork Passage State Trail: Authorizes the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) to add the South Fork Passage Trail (approx. 60‑mile hiking and paddling trail through Catawba, Lincoln and Gaston counties) to the State Parks System. The usual requirement for accompanying appropriations for land acquisition/development is waived for this authorization; the State may acquire land through donations or existing funds (Land & Water Fund, PARTF, federal and other sources).
Part V — Lake Norman Marine Commission: Codifies the Lake Norman Marine Commission into statutory law (adds Article 6B to Chapter 77), incorporating and restating earlier session‑law provisions (definitions, membership, authorities) and making the commission’s structure part of the General Statutes.
Who is affected
- Local governments and agencies in involved counties (Brunswick, Burgaw/Pender County, Catawba, Lincoln, Gaston, and Lake Norman counties).
- Stanly Community College (program operational flexibility).
- Town of Burgaw (new ownership and responsibility for conveyed land).
- DNCR and State parks stakeholders (trail planning and management).
- Residents, visitors, and recreational users of the new/authorized trails and Lake Norman stakeholders.
Fiscal and administrative implications
- Generally limited and localized:
- Conveyance costs to be paid by Town of Burgaw.
- DNCR may acquire land using existing funds or donations; the bill explicitly removes the requirement for dedicated new appropriations for the trail authorization.
- State administrative actions: DNCR and Department of Administration will implement transfers/additions; counties and municipalities will have duties to adopt enabling ordinances or manage newly acquired property.
- No large statewide recurring fiscal obligations are created in the bill text; actual costs will depend on future land acquisitions, trail development, and local implementation decisions.
Implementation / Timing
- Enactment complete (Session Law 2025‑67). Most provisions take effect as of the statute’s effective date (record indicates January 1, 2026). Local and agency actions (land transfer, trail planning, college program operations) will follow administrative procedures and local approvals.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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