Legislative Updates — NC Fines & Fees Coalition

Lobbying for the end of criminal legal fines & fees at the NC General Assembly (2023)

Check back in for more legislative updates when the next NC Legislative session begins in January 2025!

House Bill 929 - An Act to decrease or eliminate various court costs and fees: This bill, if passed will reduce the General Court of Justice fee from $147.50 to $125 (district court) and from $154.50 to $130 (superior court) to be consistent with inflation. It will also eliminate the $20 installment payment fee for people who cannot pay the full amount of fines and fees. Finally, it would make the mandatory $250 community service fee waivable.
Senate Bill 339 - Modify Limited Driving Privilege/Criminal Laws: This bill, if passed, will effectively end permanent suspensions for three or more moving violations and permanent suspensions for driving while license revoked convictions that occurred before 2015 for three or more convictions of driving while license revoked. Read the Second Chance Alliance one-pager here.
House Bill 888 - Remove Barriers to Employment from Court Debt: This bi-partisan bill, if passed, will end suspensions for unpaid traffic-related fines and fees and for missing a court date. The bill would immediately reinstate licenses that are suspended solely for failure to appear or failure to pay. The bill will also allocate funds to the court to create a text service that would remind motorists about their court dates and monies owed. Read the Second Chance Alliance one-pager here.

Bills No Longer Under Consideration in this Legislative Session

House Bill 636 - Criminal Justice Debt Reform Act: This bill is a fines and fees bill that would address several issues. It would do many things, including end debt-based driver’s license suspensions, make the community service fee waivable, and repeal the $25 installment fee. Read the Second Chance Alliance one-pager here.
House Bill 668 - Study on Eliminating Unauthorized Substance Tax: This bill directs the Revenue Laws Study Committee to study the costs and benefits of eliminating the Unauthorized Substance Tax, the NC Drug Tax. Read the Second Chance Alliance one-pager here.