Sen. Jackson files bill in North Carolina Senate to set 2026-27 state spending levels

A new bill filed by State Sen. Brent Jackson in the North Carolina Senate aims to set overall state spending and funding priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 914 on April 29 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘2026 Appropriations Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill enacts the Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2026, establishing maximum spending levels for the 2026-27 fiscal year for state agencies, departments, institutions and other specified purposes. It appropriates General Fund money for state operations and expansion, and allocates Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund dollars for maintaining and operating the Department of Transportation. The bill also appropriates federal block grant funds for the Department of Health and Human Services and for natural and economic resources. It incorporates the State Budget Act by reference, limits most provisions to the 2026-27 fiscal year, includes a severability clause and takes effect July 1, 2026, unless otherwise stated.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Ralph Hise proposed the most bills (47) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Jackson, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 9th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Michael Lee.