Sen. Jackson files state budget bill in North Carolina Senate

A new bill filed by State Sen. Brent Jackson seeks to allocate funds for state operations, transportation, and federal block grant programs for the 2026-27 fiscal year, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 940 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 sets the state’s base budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, appropriating maximum allowable funds for the current operations and expansion of state agencies, departments and institutions from the General Fund. The bill also allocates money from the State Highway Fund and State Highway Trust Fund for the maintenance and operation of the Department of Transportation, and distributes federal block grant funds for health and human services and natural and economic resources programs. It provides that unneeded funds revert to the appropriate fund and applies mainly to the 2026-27 fiscal year. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

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.