LATEST NEWS

New bill would make grants for storm-proofing tax-free for homeowners
Mar 5, 2025, Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

A new bipartisan bill introduced in Congress aims to remove federal taxes on disaster mitigation grants, a move that could make stormproofing homes more affordable for North Carolinians. The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., and Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., would exclude catastrophe mitigation payments from taxable income, ensuring that homeowners who receive grants to strengthen their homes against hurricanes, floods and wildfires don’t face a tax burden. “Catastrophe mitigation payments used to improve natural disaster resilience should not be treated as a source of income, and North Carolinians should not be taxed for them,” Murphy said in a statement. The bill could have a major impact on North Carolina’s coast, where programs like Strengthen Your Roof provide grants to homeowners to fortify their roofs against hurricane-force winds. But currently, those grants are considered taxable income by the IRS. Read more

Vehicle Inspections
Ben Gibson, Statesville Record & Landmark, 3/03/25

A bill in the General Assembly could more than double the cost of vehicle safety and emission inspection fees for North Carolina residents. If passed, the total price an inspection station or an inspection mechanic can charge would rise to $29.15 for safety inspections and $40.15 for safety and emissions. Current fees are $12.75 and $23.75, respectively. The bill would maintain the $0.85 administrative fee the Department of Motor Vehicles receives on safety inspections and $6.25 for safety and emission inspections. House Bill 153, sponsored by Rep. Jeff McNeely, has put the Iredell County representative on the receiving end of criticism from voters. Fellow Republicans Howard Penny Jr., Ben T. Moss Jr. and David Willis are joined by Democrat Pricey Harrison in sponsoring the bill. Read more

DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin resigns, citing family priorities and ‘new beginnings’
Insider 2/26/2025

‘New beginnings’ emerged as the opening theme to a Joint Appropriations Committee on Transportation hearing on Wednesday as it served as a farewell for Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. In a surprise move, Goodwin — a Hamlet native who served four terms in the House and eight years as the state Insurance Commissioner — announced his resignation just before the hearing got underway. “While my professional plans this morning may come as a surprise to some folks, my family members and friends closest to me in life know I’ve been truly mulling this decision in earnest for quite some time,” Goodwin said. “Especially as I begin the process of merging two families into one.”

Insurance Rates
The Associated Press, 1/18/25

Base rates for North Carolina homeowners’ insurance premiums will increase on average by about 15% by mid-2026 as part of a settlement reached by the state Insurance Department and the industry. The agreement announced Friday by state Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey contrasts with the January 2024 request by the North Carolina Rate Bureau, which represents insurance companies, seeking a 42.2% overall average increase. Causey, an elected official who began his third term earlier this month, formally rejected the bureau’s request last year. That led to a formal hearing that began in October and included multiple weeks of witnesses, evidence and arguments. The state Insurance Department said its witnesses would contend rates should be lowered or increased by less than 3%. Except for the settlement, a hearing officer — in consultation with Causey — would have decided what the new rates should be. The Rate Bureau could have appealed that decision in court. Read more

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John Hardin     john@theraleighgroupnc.com