North Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

North Carolina House Bill H770 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1		GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
2	2		SESSION 2025
3		-	H 1
4		-	HOUSE BILL 770
	3	+	H D
	4	+	HOUSE BILL DRH30334-CIa-8
	5	+
5	6
6	7
7	8		Short Title: Est. Procedure/Complex Family Financial Cases. (Public)
8	9		Sponsors: Representative Stevens.
9		-	For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
10		-	Referred to: Judiciary 2, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules,
11		-	Calendar, and Operations of the House
12		-	April 7, 2025
13		-	H770 -v-1
	10	+	Referred to:
	11	+
	12	+	DRH30334 -CIa-8
14	13		A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
15	14		AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE FOR COMPLEX FAMILY FINANCIAL C ASE 2
16	15		DISPOSITION. 3
17	16		The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
18	17		SECTION 1. Chapter 50 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article 5
19	18		to read: 6
20	19		"Article 6. 7
21	20		"Complex Family Financial Cases. 8
22	21		"§ 50-110. Definitions. 9
23	22		The following definitions shall apply in this Article: 10
24	23		(1) Chief hearing officer. – A hearing officer designated by the Chief Justice of 11
25	24		the North Carolina Supreme Court who determines which cases are designated 12
26	25		as complex family financial cases, assigns all cases designated as complex 13
27	26		family financial cases, and prepares any required reports. 14
28	27		(2) Complex family financial case. – Any claim or claims approved for hearing 15
29	28		as a complex family financial case as provided for by this Article. Claims 16
30	29		eligible for hearing as a complex family financial case are equitable 17
31	30		distribution, alimony, post separation support, child support, or any 18
32	31		combination of those claims. 19
33	32		(3) Hearing officer or complex family financial hearing officer. – An individual 20
34	33		who has been appointed pursuant to this Article to hear and enter orders in 21
35	34		complex family financial cases. 22
36	35		"§ 50-111. Complex family financial hearing officer. 23
37	36		(a) Complex family financial hearing officers shall be employees of the Administrative 24
38	37		Office of the Courts and shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme 25
39	38		Court. The Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court shall designate one hearing officer 26
40	39		as chief hearing officer. 27
41	40		(b) To serve as a hearing officer or chief hearing officer, the individual must meet the 28
42	41		following minimum qualifications: 29
43	42		(1) Attorney licensed in North Carolina and in good standing with the North 30
44	43		Carolina State Bar. 31
45	44		(2) Substantial involvement handling complex family financial cases during the 32
46		-	10 calendar years prior to the year of application, including the following: 33 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
47		-	Page 2 House Bill 770-First Edition
48		-	a. Average at least 600 hours per year handling complex family financial 1
49		-	cases. 2
50		-	b. No less than 400 hours handling complex family financial cases in any 3
51		-	one year. 4
52		-	(3) During the five calendar years prior to the application: 5
53		-	a. Completed at least 45 hours of continuing legal education credits in 6
54		-	family law, nine of which may be in related fields, including taxation, 7
55		-	trial advocacy, evidence, negotiation, including training in mediation, 8
56		-	arbitration, and collaborative law, real property, estate planning and 9
57		-	probate law, trusts, business organizations, employee benefits, 10
58		-	bankruptcy, and immigration law. Only nine hours will be recognized 11
59		-	for attendance at an extended negotiation or mediation training course. 12
60		-	Parenting coordinator training will not qualify for family law or related 13
61		-	field hours. 14
62		-	b. A minimum of six hours continuing legal education must have been 15
63		-	completed in each of those five years. 16
64		-	(4) Satisfactory peer review by 10 lawyers or judges who are identified by the 17
65		-	applicant. The identified individuals must have personal knowledge of the 18
66		-	competence and qualification of the applicant in handling complex family 19
67		-	financial matters at the pretrial, trial, and posttrial level. All identified 20
68		-	individuals must be licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State 21
69		-	of North Carolina. No identified individual may be related by blood or 22
70		-	marriage to the applicant nor be a colleague at the applicant's place of 23
71		-	employment at the time of the application. 24
72		-	(c) A hearing officer and the chief hearing officer shall receive the annual salary set forth 25
73		-	in the Current Operations Appropriations Act for business court judges and the chief business 26
74		-	court judge, and reimbursement on the same basis as State employees generally by G.S. 138-6(a), 27
75		-	provided that no travel allowance be paid for travel within a hearing officer's county of residence. 28
76		-	The Administrative Office of the Courts may also reimburse a hearing officer, in addition to the 29
77		-	above funds for travel, for travel and subsistence expenses incurred for professional education. 30
78		-	(d) In lieu of merit and other increment raises paid to regular State employees, a hearing 31
79		-	officer shall receive as longevity pay an annual amount equal to four and eight-tenths percent 32
80		-	(4.8%) of the annual salary set forth in the Current Operations Appropriations Act payable 33
81		-	monthly after five years of service, nine and six-tenths percent (9.6%) after 10 years of service, 34
82		-	fourteen and four-tenths percent (14.4%) after 15 years of service, nineteen and two-tenths 35
83		-	percent (19.2%) after 20 years of service, and twenty-four percent (24%) after 25 years of service. 36
84		-	"Service" means service as a justice or judge of the General Court of Justice, as a member of the 37
85		-	Utilities Commission, as an administrative law judge, as director or assistant director of the 38
86		-	Administrative Office of the Courts, or as a hearing officer. Service shall also mean service as a 39
87		-	district attorney or as a clerk of superior court. 40
88		-	"§ 50-112. Authority and duties of a complex family financial case hearing officer. 41
89		-	(a) A hearing officer under this Article has the following authority and responsibilities in 42
90		-	all complex family financial cases: 43
91		-	(1) To conduct hearings and to ensure that the parties' due process rights are 44
92		-	protected. 45
93		-	(2) To take testimony and establish a record. 46
94		-	(3) To evaluate evidence and make decisions regarding the issues being heard. 47
95		-	(4) To enter temporary, interim, and final orders related to the issues being heard 48
96		-	that have the same force and effect as orders entered by a district court judge. 49
97		-	(5) To enter orders granting or denying any motion filed under G.S. 1A-1 or any 50
98		-	local rules of court for the county in which the action was filed related to 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
99		-	House Bill 770-First Edition Page 3
100		-	actions under this Chapter that have the same force and effect as orders entered 1
101		-	by a district court judge. 2
102		-	(6) To subpoena witnesses and documents. 3
103		-	(b) A hearing officer under this Article is authorized to conduct hearings on complex 4
104		-	family financial cases statewide. 5
105		-	(c) A hearing officer must complete at least nine hours of continuing legal education 6
106		-	credits in family law or related fields each year, including taxation, trial advocacy, evidence, 7
107		-	negotiation (including training in mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law), real property, 8
108		-	estate planning and probate law, trusts, business organizations, employee benefits, bankruptcy, 9
109		-	and immigration law. Only one hour per year will be recognized for attendance at negotiation or 10
110		-	mediation training, and parenting coordinator training will not qualify for family law or related 11
	45	+	10 calendar years prior to the year of application, including the following: 33
	46	+	a. Average at least 600 hours per year handling complex family financial 34
	47	+	cases. 35
	48	+	H.B. 770
	49	+	Apr 3, 2025
	50	+	HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
	51	+	Page 2 DRH30334-CIa-8
	52	+	b. No less than 400 hours handling complex family financial cases in any 1
	53	+	one year. 2
	54	+	(3) During the five calendar years prior to the application: 3
	55	+	a. Completed at least 45 hours of continuing legal education credits in 4
	56	+	family law, nine of which may be in related fields, including taxation, 5
	57	+	trial advocacy, evidence, negotiation, including training in mediation, 6
	58	+	arbitration, and collaborative law, real property, estate planning and 7
	59	+	probate law, trusts, business organizations, employee benefits, 8
	60	+	bankruptcy, and immigration law. Only nine hours will be recognized 9
	61	+	for attendance at an extended negotiation or mediation training course. 10
	62	+	Parenting coordinator training will not qualify for family law or related 11
111	63		field hours. 12
112		-	"§ 50-113. Designation of a complex family financial claim. 13
113		-	(a) A party designating a claim as a complex family financial claim shall file a Notice of 14
114		-	Designation in the district court in which the action has been filed and shall contemporaneously 15
115		-	serve the notice on all parties or counsel and on the chief hearing officer. The Notice of 16
116		-	Designation shall, in good faith and based on information reasonably available, succinctly state 17
117		-	each applicable factor provided in G.S. 50-114, the reasons supporting each factor for 18
118		-	designation as a complex family financial claim, and any other information supporting 19
119		-	designation as a complex family financial claim. Any factor or reasons supporting the designation 20
120		-	not asserted shall be deemed conclusively waived. 21
121		-	(b) Within 30 days after service of the Notice of Designation, any other party may, in 22
122		-	good faith, file and serve an opposition to the designation of the claim as a complex family 23
123		-	financial claim. The opposition to the designation of the claim shall assert all reasons for which 24
124		-	the party opposing designation objects to the designation, and any reason not asserted shall be 25
125		-	deemed conclusively waived. The opposition to the designation shall be served on each opposing 26
126		-	party and the chief hearing officer and shall be filed in the district court in which the action has 27
127		-	been filed. 28
128		-	(c) Based on the written Notice of Designation and any opposition filed, the chief hearing 29
129		-	officer shall determine whether the action should be designated as a complex family financial 30
130		-	claim by written order entered within 45 days of service of the Notice of Designation. 31
131		-	(d) Each party shall pay equal shares of the additional filing fee as required under 32
132		-	G.S. 7A-305. Only one additional filing fee shall be required per complex family financial case. 33
133		-	(e) Once an order granting designation of a claim as a complex family financial claim is 34
134		-	entered, that claim shall be designated and administered as a complex family financial case and 35
135		-	assigned to a hearing officer by the chief hearing officer. All proceedings related to the claims 36
136		-	designated as a complex family financial claim shall be before the hearing officer to whom the 37
137		-	complex family financial case has been assigned. If complex family financial claim status is 38
138		-	denied, the claim shall be heard with any other claims filed under this Chapter. 39
139		-	(f) Complex family financial cases are subject to all provisions of Article 1 of this 40
140		-	Chapter, the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, the North Carolina Rules of Evidence, and 41
141		-	any applicable local rules of court for the county in which the complex family financial case is 42
142		-	pending. 43
143		-	"§ 50-114. Factors for complex family financial case determination. 44
144		-	The chief hearing officer shall consider each of the following factors in determining whether 45
145		-	a claim or claims shall be designated as a complex family financial case: 46
146		-	(1) Valuation and classification issues related to trusts, including active and 47
	64	+	b. A minimum of six hours continuing legal education must have been 13
	65	+	completed in each of those five years. 14
	66	+	(4) Satisfactory peer review by 10 lawyers or judges who are identified by the 15
	67	+	applicant. The identified individuals must have personal knowledge of the 16
	68	+	competence and qualification of the applicant in handling complex family 17
	69	+	financial matters at the pretrial, trial, and posttrial level. All identified 18
	70	+	individuals must be licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State 19
	71	+	of North Carolina. No identified individual may be related by blood or 20
	72	+	marriage to the applicant nor be a colleague at the applicant's place of 21
	73	+	employment at the time of the application. 22
	74	+	(c) A hearing officer and the chief hearing officer shall receive the annual salary set forth 23
	75	+	in the Current Operations Appropriations Act for business court judges and the chief business 24
	76	+	court judge, and reimbursement on the same basis as State employees generally by G.S. 138-6(a), 25
	77	+	provided that no travel allowance be paid for travel within a hearing officer's county of residence. 26
	78	+	The Administrative Office of the Courts may also reimburse a hearing officer, in addition to the 27
	79	+	above funds for travel, for travel and subsistence expenses incurred for professional education. 28
	80	+	(d) In lieu of merit and other increment raises paid to regular State employees, a hearing 29
	81	+	officer shall receive as longevity pay an annual amount equal to four and eight-tenths percent 30
	82	+	(4.8%) of the annual salary set forth in the Current Operations Appropriations Act payable 31
	83	+	monthly after five years of service, nine and six-tenths percent (9.6%) after 10 years of service, 32
	84	+	fourteen and four-tenths percent (14.4%) after 15 years of service, nineteen and two-tenths 33
	85	+	percent (19.2%) after 20 years of service, and twenty-four percent (24%) after 25 years of service. 34
	86	+	"Service" means service as a justice or judge of the General Court of Justice, as a member of the 35
	87	+	Utilities Commission, as an administrative law judge, as director or assistant director of the 36
	88	+	Administrative Office of the Courts, or as a hearing officer. Service shall also mean service as a 37
	89	+	district attorney or as a clerk of superior court. 38
	90	+	"§ 50-112. Authority and duties of a complex family financial case hearing officer. 39
	91	+	(a) A hearing officer under this Article has the following authority and responsibilities in 40
	92	+	all complex family financial cases: 41
	93	+	(1) To conduct hearings and to ensure that the parties' due process rights are 42
	94	+	protected. 43
	95	+	(2) To take testimony and establish a record. 44
	96	+	(3) To evaluate evidence and make decisions regarding the issues being heard. 45
	97	+	(4) To enter temporary, interim, and final orders related to the issues being heard 46
	98	+	that have the same force and effect as orders entered by a district court judge. 47
	99	+	(5) To enter orders granting or denying any motion filed under G.S. 1A-1 or any 48
	100	+	local rules of court for the county in which the action was filed related to 49
	101	+	actions under this Chapter that have the same force and effect as orders entered 50
	102	+	by a district court judge. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
	103	+	DRH30334-CIa-8 Page 3
	104	+	(6) To subpoena witnesses and documents. 1
	105	+	(b) A hearing officer under this Article is authorized to conduct hearings on complex 2
	106	+	family financial cases statewide. 3
	107	+	(c) A hearing officer must complete at least nine hours of continuing legal education 4
	108	+	credits in family law or related fields each year, including taxation, trial advocacy, evidence, 5
	109	+	negotiation (including training in mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law), real property, 6
	110	+	estate planning and probate law, trusts, business organizations, employee benefits, bankruptcy, 7
	111	+	and immigration law. Only one hour per year will be recognized for attendance at negotiation or 8
	112	+	mediation training, and parenting coordinator training will not qualify for family law or related 9
	113	+	field hours. 10
	114	+	"§ 50-113. Designation of a complex family financial claim. 11
	115	+	(a) A party designating a claim as a complex family financial claim shall file a Notice of 12
	116	+	Designation in the district court in which the action has been filed and shall contemporaneously 13
	117	+	serve the notice on all parties or counsel and on the chief hearing officer. The Notice of 14
	118	+	Designation shall, in good faith and based on information reasonably available, succinctly state 15
	119	+	each applicable factor provided in G.S. 50-114, the reasons supporting each factor for 16
	120	+	designation as a complex family financial claim, and any other information supporting 17
	121	+	designation as a complex family financial claim. Any factor or reasons supporting the designation 18
	122	+	not asserted shall be deemed conclusively waived. 19
	123	+	(b) Within 30 days after service of the Notice of Designation, any other party may, in 20
	124	+	good faith, file and serve an opposition to the designation of the claim as a complex family 21
	125	+	financial claim. The opposition to the designation of the claim shall assert all reasons for which 22
	126	+	the party opposing designation objects to the designation, and any reason not asserted shall be 23
	127	+	deemed conclusively waived. The opposition to the designation shall be served on each opposing 24
	128	+	party and the chief hearing officer and shall be filed in the district court in which the action has 25
	129	+	been filed. 26
	130	+	(c) Based on the written Notice of Designation and any opposition filed, the chief hearing 27
	131	+	officer shall determine whether the action should be designated as a complex family financial 28
	132	+	claim by written order entered within 45 days of service of the Notice of Designation. 29
	133	+	(d) Each party shall pay equal shares of the additional filing fee as required under 30
	134	+	G.S. 7A-305. Only one additional filing fee shall be required per complex family financial case. 31
	135	+	(e) Once an order granting designation of a claim as a complex family financial claim is 32
	136	+	entered, that claim shall be designated and administered as a complex family financial case and 33
	137	+	assigned to a hearing officer by the chief hearing officer. All proceedings related to the claims 34
	138	+	designated as a complex family financial claim shall be before the hearing officer to whom the 35
	139	+	complex family financial case has been assigned. If complex family financial claim status is 36
	140	+	denied, the claim shall be heard with any other claims filed under this Chapter. 37
	141	+	(f) Complex family financial cases are subject to all provisions of Article 1 of this 38
	142	+	Chapter, the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, the North Carolina Rules of Evidence, and 39
	143	+	any applicable local rules of court for the county in which the complex family financial case is 40
	144	+	pending. 41
	145	+	"§ 50-114. Factors for complex family financial case determination. 42
	146	+	The chief hearing officer shall consider each of the following factors in determining whether 43
	147	+	a claim or claims shall be designated as a complex family financial case: 44
	148	+	(1) Valuation and classification issues related to trusts, including active and 45
	149	+	passive increases or decreases in value. 46
	150	+	(2) Valuation and classification issues related to businesses, including active or 47
147	151		passive increases or decreases in value. 48
148		-	(2) Valuation and classification issues related to businesses, including active or 49
149		-	passive increases or decreases in value. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
150		-	Page 4 House Bill 770-First Edition
151		-	(3) Valuation and classification of real property, including active or passive 1
152		-	increases or decreases in value. 2
153		-	(4) Valuation and classification issues regarding complex retirement or other 3
154		-	employment benefits, including employee stock ownership plans, stock 4
155		-	options, profit sharing, defined contribution plans, and defined benefit plans. 5
156		-	(5) Valuation and classification of profits, bonuses, or other income or assets 6
157		-	received after the date of separation. 7
158		-	(6) Active or passive changes in value to separate property during the marriage. 8
159		-	(7) Tax issues arising from the distribution of assets and debts, including tax loss 9
160		-	carryforwards, refunds, credits, or tax consequences. 10
161		-	(8) Whether there are loans or transfers between businesses or shareholders. 11
162		-	(9) Whether there are third-party defendants. 12
163		-	(10) Validity of a premarital or property settlement agreement pled in defense to 13
164		-	an equitable distribution, alimony, post separation support, or child support 14
165		-	case. 15
166		-	(11) Total value of real and personal property. 16
167		-	(12) Calculation of income for spousal support, child support, or both when income 17
168		-	includes non W-2 income. 18
169		-	(13) Total length of time requested for trial on the issues detailed on the Notice of 19
170		-	Designation. 20
171		-	Claims which have been filed in excess of 365 days shall be given priority over claims filed 21
172		-	less than 365 days, and requested trial dates for the complex family financial case in excess of 22
173		-	15 days shall be given priority. 23
174		-	"§ 50-115. Complex family financial hearings. 24
175		-	(a) Motion hearings shall be held virtually unless the assigned hearing officer determines 25
176		-	good cause exists to hold in the hearing in person. If an in-person hearing is ordered, it shall be 26
177		-	held at the courthouse in the county in which the action was filed in an available district or 27
178		-	superior courtroom staffed by a deputy or assistant clerk and bailiff. 28
179		-	(b) Hearings on the issues designated as a complex family financial case shall be held in 29
180		-	person at the courthouse in the county in which the action was filed in an available district or 30
181		-	superior courtroom staffed by a deputy or assistant clerk and bailiff. 31
182		-	(c) All complex family financial hearings must be recorded and exhibits maintained as 32
183		-	required for any other matter. 33
184		-	(d) Any hearing on final disposition of the complex family financial case must be 34
185		-	scheduled on consecutive days. 35
186		-	"§ 50-116. Appeal from orders of the complex family financial case hearing officer. 36
187		-	Appeals of orders entered by a hearing officer shall be as provided for in G.S. 7A-27(b)." 37
188		-	SECTION 2.1. Three hearing officers shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the 38
189		-	North Carolina Supreme Court who meet the requirements of G.S. 50-111(b). The Chief Justice 39
190		-	of the North Carolina Supreme Court shall designate one of the hearing officers as chief hearing 40
191		-	officer. The Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court has the authority to create 41
192		-	additional rules or procedures necessary to give effect to the provisions of this act. 42
193		-	SECTION 2.2. The chief hearing officer and the Administrative Office of the Courts 43
194		-	shall collaborate to prepare and submit an initial report to the Joint Legislative Oversight 44
195		-	Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the Fiscal Research Division on or before August 1, 45
196		-	2026, and shall provide an annual report on or before August 1 of each year thereafter, including 46
197		-	the following information: 47
198		-	(1) The total number of cases designated as complex family financial cases by 48
199		-	county. 49
200		-	(2) The total number of complex family financial cases disposed of. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
201		-	House Bill 770-First Edition Page 5
202		-	(3) The manner of disposition of each complex family financial case, including 1
203		-	the total number of cases for each type of disposition. 2
204		-	(4) The average length of final disposition hearings. 3
205		-	(5) The shortest, longest, and average length of time from designation to final 4
206		-	disposition. 5
207		-	(6) The total number of requests for designation as complex family financial 6
208		-	cases. 7
209		-	(7) Recommendations for improvement or expansion of the program. 8
210		-	Each annual report shall include data for the previous fiscal year. 9
211		-	SECTION 3. G.S. 7A-305 reads as rewritten: 10
212		-	"§ 7A-305. Costs in civil actions. 11
213		-	(a) In every civil action in the superior or district court, except for actions brought under 12
214		-	Chapter 50B of the General Statutes, shall be assessed: 13
215		-	(1) For the use of the courtroom and related judicial facilities, the sum of twelve 14
216		-	dollars ($12.00) in cases heard before a magistrate, and the sum of sixteen 15
217		-	dollars ($16.00) in district and superior court, to be remitted to the county in 16
218		-	which the judgment is rendered, except that in all cases in which the judgment 17
219		-	is rendered in facilities provided by a municipality, the facilities fee shall be 18
220		-	paid to the municipality. Funds derived from the facilities fees shall be used 19
221		-	in the same manner, for the same purposes, and subject to the same 20
222		-	restrictions, as facilities fees assessed in criminal actions. 21
223		-	(1a) For the upgrade, maintenance, and operation of the judicial and county 22
224		-	courthouse telecommunications and data connectivity, the sum of four dollars 23
225		-	($4.00), to be credited to the Court Information Technology Fund. 24
226		-	(2) For support of the General Court of Justice, the sum of one hundred eighty 25
227		-	dollars ($180.00) in the superior court and the sum of one hundred thirty 26
228		-	dollars ($130.00) in the district court except that if the case is assigned to a 27
229		-	magistrate the sum shall be eighty dollars ($80.00). If a case is designated as 28
230		-	a mandatory complex business case under G.S. 7A-45.4, upon assignment to 29
231		-	a Business Court Judge, the party filing the designation shall pay an additional 30
232		-	one thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100) for support of the General Court 31
233		-	of Justice. If a case is designated as a complex business case under Rule 2.1 32
234		-	and Rule 2.2 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District 33
235		-	Courts, upon assignment to a Business Court Judge, the plaintiff shall pay an 34
236		-	additional one thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100) for support of the 35
237		-	General Court of Justice. Justice. If a claim is designated as a complex family 36
238		-	financial claim under G.S. 50-113, upon assignment to a complex family 37
239		-	financial hearing officer as defined in G.S. 50-110(3), each party shall equally 38
240		-	pay an additional one thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100) for support of 39
241		-	the General Court of Justice. Sums collected under this subdivision shall be 40
242		-	remitted to the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer shall remit the sum of 41
243		-	ninety-five cents ($.95) of each fee collected under this subdivision to the 42
244		-	North Carolina State Bar for the provision of services described in 43
245		-	G.S. 7A-474.19. 44
246		-	(a1) Costs apply to any and all additional and subsequent actions filed by amendment or 45
247		-	counterclaim to the original action brought under Chapter 50B of the General Statutes, unless 46
248		-	such additional and subsequent amendment or counterclaim to the action is limited to requests 47
249		-	for relief authorized by Chapter 50B of the General Statutes. 48
250		-	(a2) In every action for absolute divorce filed in the district court, a cost of seventy-five 49
251		-	dollars ($75.00) shall be assessed against the person filing the divorce action. Costs collected by 50
252		-	the clerk pursuant to this subsection shall be remitted to the State Treasurer, who shall deposit 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
253		-	Page 6 House Bill 770-First Edition
254		-	seventy-five dollars ($75.00) to the Domestic Violence Center Fund established under 1
255		-	G.S. 50B-9. Costs assessed under this subsection shall be in addition to any other costs assessed 2
256		-	under this section. 3
257		-	(a3), (a4) Repealed by Session Laws 2008-118, s. 2.9(c), effective July 1, 2008. 4
258		-	(a5) In every civil action in the superior or district court wherein a party files a pleading 5
259		-	containing one or more counterclaims, third-party complaints, or cross-claims, except for 6
260		-	counterclaim and cross-claim actions brought under Chapter 50B of the General Statutes for 7
261		-	which costs are assessed pursuant to subsection (a1) of this section, the following shall be 8
262		-	assessed: 9
263		-	(1) For the use of the courtroom and related judicial facilities, the sum of twelve 10
264		-	dollars ($12.00) in cases heard before a magistrate, and the sum of sixteen 11
265		-	dollars ($16.00) in district and superior court, to be remitted to the 12
266		-	municipality providing the facilities in which the judgment is rendered. If a 13
267		-	municipality does not provide the facilities in which the judgment is rendered, 14
268		-	the sum is to be remitted to the county in which the judgment is rendered. 15
269		-	Funds derived from the facilities' fees shall be used in the same manner, for 16
270		-	the same purposes, and subject to the same restrictions as facilities' fees 17
271		-	assessed in criminal actions. 18
272		-	(2) For the upgrade, maintenance, and operation of the judicial and county 19
273		-	courthouse phone systems, the sum of four dollars ($4.00), to be credited to 20
274		-	the Court Information Technology Fund. 21
275		-	(3) For support of the General Court of Justice, the sum of one hundred eighty 22
276		-	dollars ($180.00) in the superior court, except that if a case is assigned to a 23
277		-	special superior court judge as a complex business case under G.S. 7A-45.3, 24
278		-	filing fees shall be collected and disbursed in accordance with subsection (a) 25
279		-	of this section, and the sum of one hundred thirty dollars ($130.00) in the 26
280		-	district court, except that if the case is assigned to a magistrate, the sum shall 27
281		-	be eighty dollars ($80.00). Sums collected under this subdivision shall be 28
282		-	remitted to the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer shall remit the sum of 29
283		-	ninety-five cents ($.95) of each fee collected under this subdivision to the 30
284		-	North Carolina State Bar for the provision of services described in 31
285		-	G.S. 7A-474.19. 32
286		-	(b) On appeal, costs are cumulative, and when cases heard before a magistrate are 33
287		-	appealed to the district court, the General Court of Justice fee and the facilities fee applicable in 34
288		-	the district court shall be added to the fees assessed before the magistrate. When an order of the 35
289		-	clerk of the superior court is appealed to either the district court or the superior court, no 36
290		-	additional General Court of Justice fee or facilities fee shall be assessed. 37
291		-	(b1) When a defendant files an answer in an action filed as a small claim which requires 38
292		-	the entire case to be withdrawn from a magistrate and transferred to the district court, the 39
293		-	difference between the General Court of Justice fee and facilities fee applicable to the district 40
294		-	court and the General Court of Justice fee and facilities fee applicable to cases heard by a 41
295		-	magistrate shall be assessed. The defendant is responsible for paying the fee. 42
296		-	(c) The clerk of superior court, at the time of the filing of the papers initiating the action 43
297		-	or the appeal, shall collect as advance court costs, the facilities fee, General Court of Justice fee, 44
298		-	and the divorce fee imposed under subsection (a2) of this section, except in suits by an indigent. 45
299		-	The clerk shall also collect the fee for discovery procedures under Rule 27(a) and (b) at the time 46
300		-	of the filing of the verified petition. 47
301		-	(d) The following expenses, when incurred, are assessable or recoverable, as the case 48
302		-	may be. The expenses set forth in this subsection are complete and exclusive and constitute a 49
303		-	limit on the trial court's discretion to tax costs pursuant to G.S. 6-20: 50
304		-	(1) Witness fees, as provided by law. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
305		-	House Bill 770-First Edition Page 7
306		-	(2) Jail fees, as provided by law. 1
307		-	(3) Counsel fees, as provided by law. 2
308		-	(4) Expense of service of process by certified mail and by publication. 3
309		-	(5) Costs on appeal to the superior court, or to the appellate division, as the case 4
310		-	may be, of the original transcript of testimony, if any, insofar as essential to 5
311		-	the appeal. 6
312		-	(6) Fees for personal service and civil process and other sheriff's fees, as provided 7
313		-	by law. Fees for personal service by a private process server may be 8
314		-	recoverable in an amount equal to the actual cost of such service or fifty 9
315		-	dollars ($50.00), whichever is less, unless the court finds that due to difficulty 10
316		-	of service a greater amount is appropriate. 11
317		-	(7) Fees of mediators appointed by the court, mediators agreed upon by the 12
318		-	parties, guardians ad litem, referees, receivers, commissioners, surveyors, 13
319		-	arbitrators, appraisers, and other similar court appointees, as provided by law. 14
320		-	The fee of such appointees shall include reasonable reimbursement for 15
321		-	stenographic assistance, when necessary. 16
322		-	(8) Fees of interpreters, when authorized and approved by the court. 17
323		-	(9) Premiums for surety bonds for prosecution, as authorized by G.S. 1-109. 18
324		-	(10) Reasonable and necessary expenses for stenographic and videographic 19
325		-	assistance directly related to the taking of depositions and for the cost of 20
326		-	deposition transcripts. 21
327		-	(11) Reasonable and necessary fees of expert witnesses solely for actual time spent 22
328		-	providing testimony at trial, deposition, or other proceedings. 23
329		-	(12) The fee assessed pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section 24
330		-	upon assignment of a case to a special superior court judge as a complex 25
331		-	business case. 26
332		-	Nothing in this subsection or in G.S. 6-20 shall be construed to limit the trial court's authority to 27
333		-	award fees and expenses in connection with pretrial discovery matters as provided in Rule 26(b) 28
334		-	or Rule 37 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, and no award of costs made pursuant to this section 29
335		-	or pursuant to G.S. 6-20 shall reverse or modify any such orders entered in connection with 30
336		-	pretrial discovery. 31
337		-	(e) Nothing in this section shall affect the liability of the respective parties for costs as 32
338		-	provided by law. 33
339		-	(f) For the support of the General Court of Justice, the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) 34
340		-	shall accompany any filing of a notice of hearing on a motion not listed in G.S. 7A-308 that is 35
341		-	filed with the clerk. No costs shall be assessed to a notice of hearing on a motion containing as a 36
342		-	sole claim for relief the taxing of costs, including attorneys' fees, to a motion filed pursuant to 37
343		-	G.S. 1C-1602 or G.S. 1C-1603, or to a motion filed by a child support enforcement agency 38
344		-	established pursuant to Part D of Title IV of the Social Security Act. No more than one fee shall 39
345		-	be assessed for any motion for which a notice of hearing is filed, regardless of whether the hearing 40
346		-	is continued, rescheduled, or otherwise delayed." 41
347		-	SECTION 4. G.S. 7A-27 reads as rewritten: 42
348		-	"§ 7A-27. Appeals of right from the courts of the trial divisions. 43
349		-	(a) Appeal lies of right directly to the Supreme Court in any of the following cases: 44
350		-	(1) All cases in which the defendant is convicted of murder in the first degree and 45
351		-	the judgment of the superior court includes a sentence of death. 46
352		-	(2) From any final judgment in a case designated as a mandatory complex 47
353		-	business case pursuant to G.S. 7A-45.4 or designated as a discretionary 48
354		-	complex business case pursuant to Rule 2.1 of the General Rules of Practice 49
355		-	for the Superior and District Courts. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
356		-	Page 8 House Bill 770-First Edition
357		-	(3) From any interlocutory order of a Business Court Judge that does any of the 1
358		-	following: 2
359		-	a. Affects a substantial right. 3
360		-	b. In effect determines the action and prevents a judgment from which an 4
361		-	appeal might be taken. 5
362		-	c. Discontinues the action. 6
363		-	d. Grants or refuses a new trial. 7
364		-	(4) Any trial court's decision regarding class action certification under G.S. 1A-1, 8
365		-	Rule 23. 9
366		-	(5) Repealed by Session Laws 2021-18, s. 1, effective July 1, 2021, and applicable 10
367		-	to appeals filed on or after that date. 11
368		-	(a1) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-125, s. 22(b), 4th Ex. Sess., effective December 1, 12
369		-	2016. 13
370		-	(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, appeal lies of right directly to the 14
371		-	Court of Appeals in any of the following cases: 15
372		-	(1) From any final judgment of a superior court, other than one based on a plea of 16
373		-	guilty or nolo contendere, including any final judgment entered upon review 17
374		-	of a decision of an administrative agency, except for a final judgment entered 18
375		-	upon review of a court martial under G.S. 127A-62. 19
376		-	(2) From any final judgment of a district court in a civil action. 20
377		-	(3) From any interlocutory order or judgment of a superior court or district court 21
378		-	in a civil action or proceeding that does any of the following: 22
379		-	a. Affects a substantial right. 23
380		-	b. In effect determines the action and prevents a judgment from which an 24
381		-	appeal might be taken. 25
382		-	c. Discontinues the action. 26
383		-	d. Grants or refuses a new trial. 27
384		-	e. Determines a claim prosecuted under G.S. 50-19.1. 28
385		-	f. Grants temporary injunctive relief restraining the State or a political 29
386		-	subdivision of the State from enforcing the operation or execution of 30
387		-	an act of the General Assembly. This sub-subdivision only applies 31
388		-	where the State or a political subdivision of the State is a party in the 32
389		-	civil action. 33
390		-	g. Denies, upon the court's own motion or the motion of a party, the 34
391		-	transfer of an action or proceeding pursuant to Rule 42(b)(4) of the 35
392		-	North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. 36
393		-	(4) From any other order or judgment of the superior court from which an appeal 37
394		-	is authorized by statute. 38
395		-	(5) From any final judgment in a complex family financial case of a hearing 39
396		-	officer as defined in G.S. 50-110(3). 40
397		-	(6) From any interlocutory order or judgment of a hearing officer as defined in 41
398		-	G.S. 50-110(3) in a complex family financial case that does any of the 42
399		-	following: 43
400		-	a. Affects a substantial right. 44
401		-	b. In effect determines the action and prevents a judgment from which an 45
402		-	appeal might be taken. 46
403		-	c. Discontinues the action. 47
404		-	d. Grants or refuses a new trial. 48
405		-	e. Determines a claim prosecuted under G.S. 50-19.1. 49
406		-	(c) through (e) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-411, s. 1, effective August 23, 2013." 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
407		-	House Bill 770-First Edition Page 9
408		-	SECTION 5. This act becomes effective July 1, 2025. The Chief Justice of the North 1
409		-	Carolina Supreme Court shall appoint the three hearing officers and designate the chief hearing 2
410		-	officer as provided for in Section 1 of this act by September 1, 2025. Notices of Designation can 3
411		-	be filed beginning January 1, 2026. 4
	152	+	(3) Valuation and classification of real property, including active or passive 49
	153	+	increases or decreases in value. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
	154	+	Page 4 DRH30334-CIa-8
	155	+	(4) Valuation and classification issues regarding complex retirement or other 1
	156	+	employment benefits, including employee stock ownership plans, stock 2
	157	+	options, profit sharing, defined contribution plans, and defined benefit plans. 3
	158	+	(5) Valuation and classification of profits, bonuses, or other income or assets 4
	159	+	received after the date of separation. 5
	160	+	(6) Active or passive changes in value to separate property during the marriage. 6
	161	+	(7) Tax issues arising from the distribution of assets and debts, including tax loss 7
	162	+	carryforwards, refunds, credits, or tax consequences. 8
	163	+	(8) Whether there are loans or transfers between businesses or shareholders. 9
	164	+	(9) Whether there are third-party defendants. 10
	165	+	(10) Validity of a premarital or property settlement agreement pled in defense to 11
	166	+	an equitable distribution, alimony, post separation support, or child support 12
	167	+	case. 13
	168	+	(11) Total value of real and personal property. 14
	169	+	(12) Calculation of income for spousal support, child support, or both when income 15
	170	+	includes non W-2 income. 16
	171	+	(13) Total length of time requested for trial on the issues detailed on the Notice of 17
	172	+	Designation. 18
	173	+	Claims which have been filed in excess of 365 days shall be given priority over claims filed 19
	174	+	less than 365 days, and requested trial dates for the complex family financial case in excess of 20
	175	+	15 days shall be given priority. 21
	176	+	"§ 50-115. Complex family financial hearings. 22
	177	+	(a) Motion hearings shall be held virtually unless the assigned hearing officer determines 23
	178	+	good cause exists to hold in the hearing in person. If an in-person hearing is ordered, it shall be 24
	179	+	held at the courthouse in the county in which the action was filed in an available district or 25
	180	+	superior courtroom staffed by a deputy or assistant clerk and bailiff. 26
	181	+	(b) Hearings on the issues designated as a complex family financial case shall be held in 27
	182	+	person at the courthouse in the county in which the action was filed in an available district or 28
	183	+	superior courtroom staffed by a deputy or assistant clerk and bailiff. 29
	184	+	(c) All complex family financial hearings must be recorded and exhibits maintained as 30
	185	+	required for any other matter. 31
	186	+	(d) Any hearing on final disposition of the complex family financial case must be 32
	187	+	scheduled on consecutive days. 33
	188	+	"§ 50-116. Appeal from orders of the complex family financial case hearing officer. 34
	189	+	Appeals of orders entered by a hearing officer shall be as provided for in G.S. 7A-27(b)." 35
	190	+	SECTION 2.1. Three hearing officers shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the 36
	191	+	North Carolina Supreme Court who meet the requirements of G.S. 50-111(b). The Chief Justice 37
	192	+	of the North Carolina Supreme Court shall designate one of the hearing officers as chief hearing 38
	193	+	officer. The Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court has the authority to create 39
	194	+	additional rules or procedures necessary to give effect to the provisions of this act. 40
	195	+	SECTION 2.2. The chief hearing officer and the Administrative Office of the Courts 41
	196	+	shall collaborate to prepare and submit an initial report to the Joint Legislative Oversight 42
	197	+	Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the Fiscal Research Division on or before August 1, 43
	198	+	2026, and shall provide an annual report on or before August 1 of each year thereafter, including 44
	199	+	the following information: 45
	200	+	(1) The total number of cases designated as complex family financial cases by 46
	201	+	county. 47
	202	+	(2) The total number of complex family financial cases disposed of. 48
	203	+	(3) The manner of disposition of each complex family financial case, including 49
	204	+	the total number of cases for each type of disposition. 50
	205	+	(4) The average length of final disposition hearings. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
	206	+	DRH30334-CIa-8 Page 5
	207	+	(5) The shortest, longest, and average length of time from designation to final 1
	208	+	disposition. 2
	209	+	(6) The total number of requests for designation as complex family financial 3
	210	+	cases. 4
	211	+	(7) Recommendations for improvement or expansion of the program. 5
	212	+	Each annual report shall include data for the previous fiscal year. 6
	213	+	SECTION 3. G.S. 7A-305 reads as rewritten: 7
	214	+	"§ 7A-305. Costs in civil actions. 8
	215	+	(a) In every civil action in the superior or district court, except for actions brought under 9
	216	+	Chapter 50B of the General Statutes, shall be assessed: 10
	217	+	(1) For the use of the courtroom and related judicial facilities, the sum of twelve 11
	218	+	dollars ($12.00) in cases heard before a magistrate, and the sum of sixteen 12
	219	+	dollars ($16.00) in district and superior court, to be remitted to the county in 13
	220	+	which the judgment is rendered, except that in all cases in which the judgment 14
	221	+	is rendered in facilities provided by a municipality, the facilities fee shall be 15
	222	+	paid to the municipality. Funds derived from the facilities fees shall be used 16
	223	+	in the same manner, for the same purposes, and subject to the same 17
	224	+	restrictions, as facilities fees assessed in criminal actions. 18
	225	+	(1a) For the upgrade, maintenance, and operation of the judicial and county 19
	226	+	courthouse telecommunications and data connectivity, the sum of four dollars 20
	227	+	($4.00), to be credited to the Court Information Technology Fund. 21
	228	+	(2) For support of the General Court of Justice, the sum of one hundred eighty 22
	229	+	dollars ($180.00) in the superior court and the sum of one hundred thirty 23
	230	+	dollars ($130.00) in the district court except that if the case is assigned to a 24
	231	+	magistrate the sum shall be eighty dollars ($80.00). If a case is designated as 25
	232	+	a mandatory complex business case under G.S. 7A-45.4, upon assignment to 26
	233	+	a Business Court Judge, the party filing the designation shall pay an additional 27
	234	+	one thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100) for support of the General Court 28
	235	+	of Justice. If a case is designated as a complex business case under Rule 2.1 29
	236	+	and Rule 2.2 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District 30
	237	+	Courts, upon assignment to a Business Court Judge, the plaintiff shall pay an 31
	238	+	additional one thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100) for support of the 32
	239	+	General Court of Justice. Justice. If a claim is designated as a complex family 33
	240	+	financial claim under G.S. 50-113, upon assignment to a complex family 34
	241	+	financial hearing officer as defined in G.S. 50-110(3), each party shall equally 35
	242	+	pay an additional one thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100) for support of 36
	243	+	the General Court of Justice. Sums collected under this subdivision shall be 37
	244	+	remitted to the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer shall remit the sum of 38
	245	+	ninety-five cents ($.95) of each fee collected under this subdivision to the 39
	246	+	North Carolina State Bar for the provision of services described in 40
	247	+	G.S. 7A-474.19. 41
	248	+	(a1) Costs apply to any and all additional and subsequent actions filed by amendment or 42
	249	+	counterclaim to the original action brought under Chapter 50B of the General Statutes, unless 43
	250	+	such additional and subsequent amendment or counterclaim to the action is limited to requests 44
	251	+	for relief authorized by Chapter 50B of the General Statutes. 45
	252	+	(a2) In every action for absolute divorce filed in the district court, a cost of seventy-five 46
	253	+	dollars ($75.00) shall be assessed against the person filing the divorce action. Costs collected by 47
	254	+	the clerk pursuant to this subsection shall be remitted to the State Treasurer, who shall deposit 48
	255	+	seventy-five dollars ($75.00) to the Domestic Violence Center Fund established under 49
	256	+	G.S. 50B-9. Costs assessed under this subsection shall be in addition to any other costs assessed 50
	257	+	under this section. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
	258	+	Page 6 DRH30334-CIa-8
	259	+	(a3), (a4) Repealed by Session Laws 2008-118, s. 2.9(c), effective July 1, 2008. 1
	260	+	(a5) In every civil action in the superior or district court wherein a party files a pleading 2
	261	+	containing one or more counterclaims, third-party complaints, or cross-claims, except for 3
	262	+	counterclaim and cross-claim actions brought under Chapter 50B of the General Statutes for 4
	263	+	which costs are assessed pursuant to subsection (a1) of this section, the following shall be 5
	264	+	assessed: 6
	265	+	(1) For the use of the courtroom and related judicial facilities, the sum of twelve 7
	266	+	dollars ($12.00) in cases heard before a magistrate, and the sum of sixteen 8
	267	+	dollars ($16.00) in district and superior court, to be remitted to the 9
	268	+	municipality providing the facilities in which the judgment is rendered. If a 10
	269	+	municipality does not provide the facilities in which the judgment is rendered, 11
	270	+	the sum is to be remitted to the county in which the judgment is rendered. 12
	271	+	Funds derived from the facilities' fees shall be used in the same manner, for 13
	272	+	the same purposes, and subject to the same restrictions as facilities' fees 14
	273	+	assessed in criminal actions. 15
	274	+	(2) For the upgrade, maintenance, and operation of the judicial and county 16
	275	+	courthouse phone systems, the sum of four dollars ($4.00), to be credited to 17
	276	+	the Court Information Technology Fund. 18
	277	+	(3) For support of the General Court of Justice, the sum of one hundred eighty 19
	278	+	dollars ($180.00) in the superior court, except that if a case is assigned to a 20
	279	+	special superior court judge as a complex business case under G.S. 7A-45.3, 21
	280	+	filing fees shall be collected and disbursed in accordance with subsection (a) 22
	281	+	of this section, and the sum of one hundred thirty dollars ($130.00) in the 23
	282	+	district court, except that if the case is assigned to a magistrate, the sum shall 24
	283	+	be eighty dollars ($80.00). Sums collected under this subdivision shall be 25
	284	+	remitted to the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer shall remit the sum of 26
	285	+	ninety-five cents ($.95) of each fee collected under this subdivision to the 27
	286	+	North Carolina State Bar for the provision of services described in 28
	287	+	G.S. 7A-474.19. 29
	288	+	(b) On appeal, costs are cumulative, and when cases heard before a magistrate are 30
	289	+	appealed to the district court, the General Court of Justice fee and the facilities fee applicable in 31
	290	+	the district court shall be added to the fees assessed before the magistrate. When an order of the 32
	291	+	clerk of the superior court is appealed to either the district court or the superior court, no 33
	292	+	additional General Court of Justice fee or facilities fee shall be assessed. 34
	293	+	(b1) When a defendant files an answer in an action filed as a small claim which requires 35
	294	+	the entire case to be withdrawn from a magistrate and transferred to the district court, the 36
	295	+	difference between the General Court of Justice fee and facilities fee applicable to the district 37
	296	+	court and the General Court of Justice fee and facilities fee applicable to cases heard by a 38
	297	+	magistrate shall be assessed. The defendant is responsible for paying the fee. 39
	298	+	(c) The clerk of superior court, at the time of the filing of the papers initiating the action 40
	299	+	or the appeal, shall collect as advance court costs, the facilities fee, General Court of Justice fee, 41
	300	+	and the divorce fee imposed under subsection (a2) of this section, except in suits by an indigent. 42
	301	+	The clerk shall also collect the fee for discovery procedures under Rule 27(a) and (b) at the time 43
	302	+	of the filing of the verified petition. 44
	303	+	(d) The following expenses, when incurred, are assessable or recoverable, as the case 45
	304	+	may be. The expenses set forth in this subsection are complete and exclusive and constitute a 46
	305	+	limit on the trial court's discretion to tax costs pursuant to G.S. 6-20: 47
	306	+	(1) Witness fees, as provided by law. 48
	307	+	(2) Jail fees, as provided by law. 49
	308	+	(3) Counsel fees, as provided by law. 50
	309	+	(4) Expense of service of process by certified mail and by publication. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
	310	+	DRH30334-CIa-8 Page 7
	311	+	(5) Costs on appeal to the superior court, or to the appellate division, as the case 1
	312	+	may be, of the original transcript of testimony, if any, insofar as essential to 2
	313	+	the appeal. 3
	314	+	(6) Fees for personal service and civil process and other sheriff's fees, as provided 4
	315	+	by law. Fees for personal service by a private process server may be 5
	316	+	recoverable in an amount equal to the actual cost of such service or fifty 6
	317	+	dollars ($50.00), whichever is less, unless the court finds that due to difficulty 7
	318	+	of service a greater amount is appropriate. 8
	319	+	(7) Fees of mediators appointed by the court, mediators agreed upon by the 9
	320	+	parties, guardians ad litem, referees, receivers, commissioners, surveyors, 10
	321	+	arbitrators, appraisers, and other similar court appointees, as provided by law. 11
	322	+	The fee of such appointees shall include reasonable reimbursement for 12
	323	+	stenographic assistance, when necessary. 13
	324	+	(8) Fees of interpreters, when authorized and approved by the court. 14
	325	+	(9) Premiums for surety bonds for prosecution, as authorized by G.S. 1-109. 15
	326	+	(10) Reasonable and necessary expenses for stenographic and videographic 16
	327	+	assistance directly related to the taking of depositions and for the cost of 17
	328	+	deposition transcripts. 18
	329	+	(11) Reasonable and necessary fees of expert witnesses solely for actual time spent 19
	330	+	providing testimony at trial, deposition, or other proceedings. 20
	331	+	(12) The fee assessed pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section 21
	332	+	upon assignment of a case to a special superior court judge as a complex 22
	333	+	business case. 23
	334	+	Nothing in this subsection or in G.S. 6-20 shall be construed to limit the trial court's authority to 24
	335	+	award fees and expenses in connection with pretrial discovery matters as provided in Rule 26(b) 25
	336	+	or Rule 37 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, and no award of costs made pursuant to this section 26
	337	+	or pursuant to G.S. 6-20 shall reverse or modify any such orders entered in connection with 27
	338	+	pretrial discovery. 28
	339	+	(e) Nothing in this section shall affect the liability of the respective parties for costs as 29
	340	+	provided by law. 30
	341	+	(f) For the support of the General Court of Justice, the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) 31
	342	+	shall accompany any filing of a notice of hearing on a motion not listed in G.S. 7A-308 that is 32
	343	+	filed with the clerk. No costs shall be assessed to a notice of hearing on a motion containing as a 33
	344	+	sole claim for relief the taxing of costs, including attorneys' fees, to a motion filed pursuant to 34
	345	+	G.S. 1C-1602 or G.S. 1C-1603, or to a motion filed by a child support enforcement agency 35
	346	+	established pursuant to Part D of Title IV of the Social Security Act. No more than one fee shall 36
	347	+	be assessed for any motion for which a notice of hearing is filed, regardless of whether the hearing 37
	348	+	is continued, rescheduled, or otherwise delayed." 38
	349	+	SECTION 4. G.S. 7A-27 reads as rewritten: 39
	350	+	"§ 7A-27. Appeals of right from the courts of the trial divisions. 40
	351	+	(a) Appeal lies of right directly to the Supreme Court in any of the following cases: 41
	352	+	(1) All cases in which the defendant is convicted of murder in the first degree and 42
	353	+	the judgment of the superior court includes a sentence of death. 43
	354	+	(2) From any final judgment in a case designated as a mandatory complex 44
	355	+	business case pursuant to G.S. 7A-45.4 or designated as a discretionary 45
	356	+	complex business case pursuant to Rule 2.1 of the General Rules of Practice 46
	357	+	for the Superior and District Courts. 47
	358	+	(3) From any interlocutory order of a Business Court Judge that does any of the 48
	359	+	following: 49
	360	+	a. Affects a substantial right. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
	361	+	Page 8 DRH30334-CIa-8
	362	+	b. In effect determines the action and prevents a judgment from which an 1
	363	+	appeal might be taken. 2
	364	+	c. Discontinues the action. 3
	365	+	d. Grants or refuses a new trial. 4
	366	+	(4) Any trial court's decision regarding class action certification under G.S. 1A-1, 5
	367	+	Rule 23. 6
	368	+	(5) Repealed by Session Laws 2021-18, s. 1, effective July 1, 2021, and applicable 7
	369	+	to appeals filed on or after that date. 8
	370	+	(a1) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-125, s. 22(b), 4th Ex. Sess., effective December 1, 9
	371	+	2016. 10
	372	+	(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, appeal lies of right directly to the 11
	373	+	Court of Appeals in any of the following cases: 12
	374	+	(1) From any final judgment of a superior court, other than one based on a plea of 13
	375	+	guilty or nolo contendere, including any final judgment entered upon review 14
	376	+	of a decision of an administrative agency, except for a final judgment entered 15
	377	+	upon review of a court martial under G.S. 127A-62. 16
	378	+	(2) From any final judgment of a district court in a civil action. 17
	379	+	(3) From any interlocutory order or judgment of a superior court or district court 18
	380	+	in a civil action or proceeding that does any of the following: 19
	381	+	a. Affects a substantial right. 20
	382	+	b. In effect determines the action and prevents a judgment from which an 21
	383	+	appeal might be taken. 22
	384	+	c. Discontinues the action. 23
	385	+	d. Grants or refuses a new trial. 24
	386	+	e. Determines a claim prosecuted under G.S. 50-19.1. 25
	387	+	f. Grants temporary injunctive relief restraining the State or a political 26
	388	+	subdivision of the State from enforcing the operation or execution of 27
	389	+	an act of the General Assembly. This sub-subdivision only applies 28
	390	+	where the State or a political subdivision of the State is a party in the 29
	391	+	civil action. 30
	392	+	g. Denies, upon the court's own motion or the motion of a party, the 31
	393	+	transfer of an action or proceeding pursuant to Rule 42(b)(4) of the 32
	394	+	North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. 33
	395	+	(4) From any other order or judgment of the superior court from which an appeal 34
	396	+	is authorized by statute. 35
	397	+	(5) From any final judgment in a complex family financial case of a hearing 36
	398	+	officer as defined in G.S. 50-110(3). 37
	399	+	(6) From any interlocutory order or judgment of a hearing officer as defined in 38
	400	+	G.S. 50-110(3) in a complex family financial case that does any of the 39
	401	+	following: 40
	402	+	a. Affects a substantial right. 41
	403	+	b. In effect determines the action and prevents a judgment from which an 42
	404	+	appeal might be taken. 43
	405	+	c. Discontinues the action. 44
	406	+	d. Grants or refuses a new trial. 45
	407	+	e. Determines a claim prosecuted under G.S. 50-19.1. 46
	408	+	(c) through (e) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-411, s. 1, effective August 23, 2013." 47
	409	+	SECTION 5. This act becomes effective July 1, 2025. The Chief Justice of the North 48
	410	+	Carolina Supreme Court shall appoint the three hearing officers and designate the chief hearing 49
	411	+	officer as provided for in Section 1 of this act by September 1, 2025. Notices of Designation can 50
	412	+	be filed beginning January 1, 2026. 51