GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 952
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Short Title: Repeal STI Cap on Light Rail/Fund Rail Safety. |
(Public) |
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Sponsors: |
Senator Mohammed (Primary Sponsor). |
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Referred to: |
Rules and Operations of the Senate |
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May 4, 2026
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to repeal the sti funding cap on light rail and TO appropriate funds for safety and security on the CATS Blue Lynx rail line.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. G.S. 136‑189.10 reads as rewritten:
"§ 136‑189.10. Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this Article:
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(2) Division needs projects. – Includes only the following:
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e. Public transportation
service not included in subdivision (3) or (4) of this section. This sub‑subdivision
includes commuter rail, intercity rail, and light rail. Nothing in this sub‑subdivision
shall be construed as authorizing total State funding in excess of the maximum
established in sub‑subdivision g. of subdivision (3) of this section for
commuter rail and light rail projects.
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(3) Regional impact projects. – Includes only the following:
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g. Public transportation
service that spans two or more counties and that serves more than one
municipality. Programmed funds pursuant to this sub‑subdivision shall
not exceed ten percent (10%) of any distribution region allocation. This
sub‑subdivision includes commuter rail, intercity rail, and light rail.
Total State funding for a commuter rail or light rail project shall not exceed
the lesser of ten percent (10%) of the distribution region allocation or ten
percent (10%) of the estimated total project costs used during the
prioritization scoring process. The State shall not be responsible or liable
for any project costs in excess of the maximum established under this sub‑subdivision.
Any agreement entered into by the State to fund a commuter rail or light rail
project shall include language setting out the limitations set forth in this
sub‑subdivision.
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SECTION 2. G.S. 136‑189.11(d1) is repealed.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated from the Highway Fund to the Department of Transportation the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year to be used for safety and security on the CATS Blue Lynx rail line.
SECTION 4. This act becomes effective July 1, 2026.