GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 655
Short Title: Extend Certain Rights to Catawba Nation. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Alexander, Overcash, and Britt (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
March 26, 2025
*S655 -v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO EXTEND CERTAIN RIGHTS TO THE CATAWBA INDIAN NATION AS THE 2
EASTERN BAND OF CHER OKEE INDIANS. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1. Chapter 1E of the General Statutes reads as rewritten: 5
"Chapter 1E. 6
"Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.Indians and Catawba Indian Nation. 7
"Article 1. 8
"Full Faith and Credit. 9
"§ 1E-1. Full faith and credit. 10
(a) The courts of this State shall give full faith and credit to a judgment, decree, or order 11
signed by a judicial officer of either (i) the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians or (ii) Catawba 12
Indian Nation and filed in the Cherokee Tribal Courts or Catawba Nation Tribal Courts to the 13
same extent as is given a judgment, decree, or order of another state, subject to the provisions of 14
subsections (b) and (c) of this section; provided that the judgments, decrees, and orders of the 15
courts of this State are given full faith and credit by the Tribal Courts of the Eastern Band of 16
Cherokee Indians.Indians and the Tribal Courts of the Catawba Indian Nation. 17
(b) Judgments, decrees, and orders specified in subsection (a) of this section shall be 18
given full faith and credit subject to the provisions of G.S. 1C-1705 and G.S. 1C-1708 and shall 19
be considered a foreign judgment for purposes of these statutes. 20
(c) Any limited driving privilege signed and issued by a Judge or Justice of either the 21
Cherokee Tribal Courts or Catawba Nation Tribal Courts in accordance with the applicable 22
provisions of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes and filed in the Cherokee Tribal Courts Clerk's 23
Office or Catawba Nation Tribal Courts Clerk's Office shall be valid and given full faith and 24
credit as specified in subsection (a) of this section. For purposes of this subsection, any reference 25
to the issuing "judge" or "court" in the applicable provisions of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes 26
shall be construed to mean the appropriate Judge or Justice in the Cherokee Tribal Courts or 27
Courts, Catawba Nation Tribal Courts, or the appropriate Cherokee or Catawba Tribal Court. 28
"§ 1E-2. County services. 29
A county is not compelled to provide services on lands held in trust by the United States for 30
the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, except for public health or human services traditionally 31
provided by county agencies and not otherwise assumed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee 32
Indians, unless there is an agreement between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the 33
county describing each party's responsibilities. The agreement must be approved and signed by 34
the Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on behalf of the Eastern Band of 35
Cherokee Indians and must be signed by the county manager or delegated department head. The 36 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Bill 655-First Edition
agreement may be effective for a definite period of time or an indefinite period of time, as 1
specified in the agreement. Agreements between a county and the Catawba Indian Nation are 2
valid as a matter of State law. 3
"Article 2. 4
"Tribal Law Enforcement Authority. 5
"§ 1E-10. Tribal law enforcement. 6
(a) Except for the sections listed in subsection (b) of this section, Article 13 of Chapter 7
160A of the General Statutes is applicable to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.Indians and 8
Catawba Indian Nation. 9
(b) The following provisions of Article 13 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes shall 10
not apply to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians:Indians and Catawba Indian Nation: 11
(1) G.S. 160A-283. 12
(2) G.S. 160A-286. 13
(3) G.S. 160A-287. 14
(4) G.S. 160A-289.1. 15
"§ 1E-11. Application and meaning of terms. 16
For purposes of the application of the applicable provisions of Article 13 of Chapter 160A of 17
the General Statutes, the following terms contained in Article 13 of Chapter 160A of the General 18
Statutes shall be construed as follows: 19
(1) City. – To mean the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.Indians and Catawba 20
Indian Nation. 21
(2) Council or governing body. – To mean the Tribal Council of the Eastern Band 22
of Cherokee Indians.Indians and the Executive Committee of the Catawba 23
Indian Nation. 24
(3) City clerk. – To mean the clerk of the Tribal Council of the Eastern Band of 25
the Cherokee Indians.Indians or of the Executive Committee of the Catawba 26
Indian Nation. 27
(4) Corporate limits of the city. – To mean the boundaries of the trust lands of the 28
Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians or of the Catawba Indian Nation 29
wherever located within the State of North Carolina. 30
(5) Law enforcement agency or local law enforcement agency. – To include the 31
Cherokee Police Department, the Cherokee Marshals Service, the Tribal 32
Alcohol Law Enforcement Division of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee 33
Indians, and the Natural Resources Enforcement Agency of the Eastern Band 34
of Cherokee Indians.Indians, the Catawba Indian Nation Tribal Police 35
Department, and the Catawba Indian Nation Marshals Service. 36
"§ 1E-12. Qualification of law enforcement officers; limitations of authority. 37
(a) For purposes of this section, "law enforcement officer" means any person appointed 38
or employed as (i) Chief of Police of the Cherokee Police Department, Chief of the Cherokee 39
Marshals Service, Chief of the Tribal Alcohol Law Enforcement Division of the Eastern Band of 40
the Cherokee Indians, or Chief of the Natural Resources Enforcement Agency of the Eastern 41
Band of the Cherokee Indians or Indians, (ii) a police officer, auxiliary police officer, marshal, 42
alcohol law enforcement agent, reserve alcohol law enforcement agent, or resources officer with 43
the Cherokee Police Department, the Cherokee Marshals Service, the Tribal Alcohol Law 44
Enforcement Division of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, or the Natural Resources 45
Enforcement Agency of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.Indians, (iii) the Chief of the 46
Catawba Indian Nation Tribal Police Department, or (iv) a police officer, marshal, auxiliary 47
police, or resources officer with the Catawba Indian Nation Tribal Police Department or Catawba 48
Indian Nation Marshals Service. 49
(b) A law enforcement officer shall, prior to the exercise of the officer's authority 50
pursuant to Article 13 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes, comply with the provisions of 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 655-First Edition Page 3
Article 1 of Chapter 17C of the General Statutes and any rules or regulations adopted pursuant 1
to the authority of Article 1 of Chapter 17C of the General Statutes. The courts of this State shall 2
have the jurisdiction pursuant to G.S. 17C-11 to enjoin the Cherokee Police Department, the 3
Cherokee Marshals Service, the Tribal Alcohol Law Enforcement Division of the Eastern Band 4
of Cherokee Indians, the Natural Resources Enforcement Agency of the Eastern Band of the 5
Cherokee Indians, the Catawba Indian Nation Tribal Police Department, Marshals of the 6
Catawba Indian Nation, or any law enforcement officer or agent employed or appointed by the 7
department, agency, or division from exercising any or all of the authority under color of State 8
law conferred by Article 13 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes if any law enforcement 9
officer or agent of the department, agency, or division fails to meet the required standards 10
established pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 17C of the General Statutes. 11
(c) The jurisdiction of a Cherokee law enforcement officer shall be (i) on all property 12
owned by or leased to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians located within the trust lands of the 13
Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians and (ii) during the immediate and continuous flight of an 14
offender in accordance with G.S. 15A-402(d). The jurisdiction of a Catawba law enforcement 15
officer shall be (i) on all property owned by or leased to the Catawba Indian Nation located within 16
the trust lands of the Catawba Indian Nation and (ii) during the immediate and continuous flight 17
of an offender in accordance with G.S. 15A-402(d). Neither Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 18
nor Catawba Indian Nation law enforcement officers shall have jurisdiction on the other's land 19
absent separate agreement of the tribes. 20
(d) Service as a law enforcement officer shall constitute service as (i) a "criminal justice 21
officer" as defined in G.S. 17C-2(c) and (ii) a "law enforcement officer" for purposes of Article 22
12E of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. For purposes of Article 12E of Chapter 143 of the 23
General Statutes, the term "employer," as defined in G.S. 143-166.50, shall be construed to 24
include the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Catawba Indian Nation with respect to law 25
enforcement officers. 26
(e) A law enforcement officer may be enjoined from exercising his authority under color 27
of State law pursuant to Article 13 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes for the reasons set 28
forth in G.S. 128-16 and pursuant to the provisions of Article 2 of Chapter 128 of the General 29
Statutes. 30
(f) Nothing contained in this Chapter or in Article 13 of Chapter 160A of the General 31
Statutes shall be construed as doing any of the following: 32
(1) Limiting or revoking the authority of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, 33
the Cherokee Police Department, the Cherokee Marshals Service, the Tribal 34
Alcohol Law Enforcement Division of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee 35
Indians, the Natural Resources Enforcement Agency of the Eastern Band of 36
the Cherokee Indians, or any law enforcement officers or other persons 37
appointed or employed by those entities, in the exercise of their inherent 38
powers of self-government, or exercise of authority conferred by federal law, 39
regulation, or common law. 40
(1a) Limiting or revoking the authority of the Catawba Indian Nation, the Catawba 41
Indian Nation Tribal Police Department, Catawba Indian Nation Marshals 42
Service, or a police officer, auxiliary police, or resources officer with the 43
Catawba Indian Nation Tribal Police Department or any of the Catawba 44
Nation Tribal Police Department, or any law enforcement officers or other 45
persons appointed or employed by those entities, in the exercise of their 46
inherent powers of self-government, or exercise of authority conferred by 47
federal law, regulation, or common law. 48
(2) Modifying, either by way of enlargement or limitation, the jurisdiction of the 49
Cherokee Tribal Courts. 50
(3) Waiving any sovereign immunity that may otherwise apply. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 4 Senate Bill 655-First Edition
(g) Nothing contained in this Chapter shall be construed as modifying, either by way of 1
enlargement or limitation, the jurisdiction or authority of any federal, State, or local law 2
enforcement agency, governmental entity, or any of their officers or employees, except the 3
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Catawba Indian Nation, the Cherokee Police Department, 4
the Catawba Indian Nation Tribal Police Department, the Cherokee Marshals Service, the 5
Marshals of the Catawba Indian Nation, the Tribal Alcohol Law Enforcement Division of the 6
Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, the Natural Resources Enforcement Agency of the Eastern 7
Band of the Cherokee Indians, and their law enforcement officers, agents, and employees to the 8
extent set forth in this Chapter. 9
"Article 3. 10
"Probation and Parole. 11
"§ 1E-20. Cherokee and Catawba Marshals Service.Services. 12
(a) The Supreme Court of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is authorized to establish 13
a probation and parole agency known as the "Cherokee Marshals Service." 14
(b) Marshals of the Cherokee Marshals Service shall (i) be required to meet the standards 15
set forth in G.S. 1E-12 for law enforcement officers and (ii) have the same territorial jurisdiction, 16
powers, and immunities as a law enforcement officer under G.S. 1E-12. 17
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, marshals of the Cherokee Marshals 18
Service shall have access to all probation and parole records of the North Carolina Department 19
of Public Safety to the same extent as a probation or post-release supervision officer of the 20
Department for any person over which the Cherokee Tribal Courts have jurisdiction to proceed 21
in a criminal case and impose a sentence, including a fine, community service, or imprisonment. 22
The Department may enter into a memorandum of understanding addressing the specifics of 23
transferring information to the Cherokee Tribal Courts. 24
(d) The Catawba Indian Nation is authorized to establish a probation and parole agency. 25
(e) Marshals of the Catawba Indian Nation shall (i) be required to meet the standards set 26
forth in G.S. 1E-12 for law enforcement officers and (ii) have the same territorial jurisdiction, 27
powers, and immunities as a law enforcement officer under G.S. 1E-12. 28
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, Marshals of the Catawba Indian Nation 29
shall have access to all probation and parole records of the North Carolina Department of Public 30
Safety to the same extent as a probation or post-release supervision officer of the Department for 31
any person with the Catawba Nation Tribal Courts have jurisdiction to proceed in a criminal case 32
and impose a sentence, including a fine, community service, or imprisonment. The Department 33
may enter into a memorandum of understanding addressing the specifics of transferring 34
information to the Catawba Nation Tribal Courts." 35
SECTION 2. G.S. 7A-343 reads as rewritten: 36
"§ 7A-343. Duties of Director. 37
The Director is the Administrative Officer of the Courts, and the Director's duties include all 38
of the following: 39
… 40
(13) Prescribe policies and procedures and establish and operate systems for the 41
exchange of criminal and civil information from and to the Judicial 42
Department and local, State, and federal governments and the Eastern Band 43
of Cherokee Indians.Indians and Catawba Indian Nation. 44
…." 45
SECTION 3. G.S. 7A-343.1 reads as rewritten: 46
"§ 7A-343.1. Distribution of copies of the appellate division reports. 47
(a) The Administrative Officer of the Courts shall, upon request and at the State's 48
expense, distribute such number of copies of the appellate division reports to federal, State 49
departments and agencies, and to educational institutions of instruction, as follows: 50
Attorney General 5 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 655-First Edition Page 5
Utilities Commission 1 1
Industrial Commission 1 2
Office of Administrative Hearings 2 3
Archives and History, Division of 1 4
Legislative Building Library 2 5
Justices of the Supreme Court 1 ea. 6
Judges of the Court of Appeals 1 ea. 7
Judges of the Superior Court 1 ea. 8
Clerks of the Superior Court 1 ea. 9
District Attorneys 1 ea. 10
Supreme Court of North Carolina Library AS MANY AS 11
REQUESTED 12
Appellate Division Reporter 1 13
University of North Carolina School of Law 5 14
North Carolina Central University School of Law 5 15
Duke University School of Law 5 16
Wake Forest University School of Law 5 17
Elon University School of Law 5 18
Campbell University School of Law 5 19
United States Department of Justice 1 20
Library of Congress 1 21
Federal Judges resident in North Carolina 1 ea. 22
Librarian, Supreme Court of the United States 1 23
United States Attorneys resident in North Carolina 1 ea. 24
Supreme Court Library exchange list 1 25
Cherokee Supreme Court, Eastern Band of 26
Cherokee Indians 3 27
Catawba Nation Tribal Courts 3 28
The copies of reports furnished to each justice of the Supreme Court and judge of the Court 29
of Appeals as set out in the table above may be retained personally by the justice or judge. 30
(b) A recipient listed in subsection (a) of this section may choose not to receive its copies 31
of the appellate division reports, or choose to receive fewer than the number of copies allotted to 32
it, by notifying the Administrative Officer of the Courts in writing. Should the recipient again 33
wish to receive its full allotment of the appellate division reports, the recipient shall notify the 34
Administrative Officer of the Courts in writing, and the Administrative Officer of the Courts 35
may, in his or her discretion, resume distribution to the recipient." 36
SECTION 4. G.S. 14-159.12 reads as rewritten: 37
"§ 14-159.12. First degree trespass. 38
(a) Offense. – A person commits the offense of first degree trespass if, without 39
authorization, the person enters or remains on or in any of the following: 40
(1) The premises of another so enclosed or secured as to demonstrate clearly an 41
intent to keep out intruders. 42
(2) The building of another. 43
(3) The lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians after the person has been 44
excluded by a resolution passed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian 45
Tribal Council. 46
(4) The lands of the Catawba Indian Nation after the person has been excluded by 47
resolution passed by the Catawba Indian Nation Executive Committee. 48
…." 49
SECTION 5. Effective July 1, 2025, G.S. 20-4.01 reads as rewritten: 50
"§ 20-4.01. Definitions. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 6 Senate Bill 655-First Edition
Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply throughout this 1
Chapter to the defined words and phrases and their cognates: 2
… 3
(45) State. – A state, territory, or possession of the United States, District of 4
Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a province of Canada, or the 5
Sovereign Nation of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians with tribal 6
lands, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1151, located within the boundaries of the 7
State of North Carolina. Carolina, or the sovereign Catawba Indian Nation 8
with tribal lands located within the boundaries of the State of North Carolina. 9
For provisions in this Chapter that apply to commercial drivers licenses, 10
"state" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia. 11
…." 12
SECTION 6. G.S. 20-79.4 reads as rewritten: 13
"§ 20-79.4. Special registration plates. 14
… 15
(b) Types. – The Division shall issue the following types of special registration plates: 16
… 17
( ) Catawba Indian Nation. – Issuable to a member of the Catawba Indian Nation 18
who presents to the Division a tribal identification card. The plate may bear a 19
phrase or emblem representing the Catawba Indian Nation. The plate 20
authorized by this subdivision is not subject to the provisions of 21
G.S. 20-79.3A. 22
…." 23
SECTION 7. G.S. 20-79.7 reads as rewritten: 24
"§ 20-79.7. Fees for special registration plates and distribution of the fees. 25
… 26
(a1) Fees. – All other special registration plates are subject to the regular motor vehicle 27
registration fee in G.S. 20-87 or G.S. 20-88 plus an additional fee in the following amount: 28
29
Special Plate Additional Fee Amount 30
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity $30.00 31
ALS Research $30.00 32
American Red Cross Expired July 1, 2016 33
Animal Lovers $30.00 34
Arthritis Foundation Expired July 1, 2016 35
ARTS NC $30.00 36
Back Country Horsemen of NC Expired July 1, 2016 37
Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament $30.00 38
Boy Scouts of America Expired July 1, 2016 39
Brenner Children's Hospital Expired July 1, 2016 40
Carolina Panthers $30.00 41
Carolina Raptor Center Expired July 1, 2016 42
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation Expired July 1, 2016 43
Carolinas Golf Association $30.00 44
Coastal Conservation Association Expired July 1, 2016 45
Coastal Land Trust $30.00 46
Colorectal Cancer Awareness $30.00 47
Crystal Coast Expired July 1, 2016 48
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Expired July 1, 2016 49
El Pueblo Expired July 1, 2016 50
Farmland Preservation Expired July 1, 2016 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 655-First Edition Page 7
First in Forestry $30.00 1
First Tee Expired July 1, 2016 2
Girl Scouts Expired July 1, 2016 3
Greensboro Symphony Guild Expired July 1, 2016 4
Historical Attraction $30.00 5
Home Care and Hospice $30.00 6
Home of American Golf Expired July 1, 2016 7
Home of the Venus Flytrap $30.00 8
HOMES4NC $30.00 9
Hospice Care Expired July 1, 2016 10
In God We Trust $30.00 11
Keeping the Lights On $30.00 12
Kick Cancer for Kids $30.00 13
Maggie Valley Trout Festival Expired July 1, 2016 14
Morehead Planetarium Expired July 1, 2016 15
Morgan Horse Club Expired July 1, 2016 16
Mountains-to-Sea Trail $30.00 17
Municipality Plate Expired July 1, 2016 18
NC Civil War Expired July 1, 2016 19
NC Coastal Federation $30.00 20
NC FIRST Robotics Expired July 1, 2016 21
NCSC Expired July 1, 2016 22
NC Veterinary Medical Association Expired July 1, 2016 23
National Kidney Foundation Expired July 1, 2016 24
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Expired July 1, 2016 25
Native Brook Trout $30.00 26
North Carolina 4-H Development Fund Expired July 1, 2016 27
North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs $30.00 28
North Carolina Bluegrass Association Expired July 1, 2016 29
North Carolina Cattlemen's Association Expired July 1, 2016 30
North Carolina Emergency Management Association Expired July 1, 2016 31
North Carolina Green Industry Council Expired July 1, 2016 32
North Carolina Libraries Expired July 1, 2016 33
North Carolina Paddle Festival Expired July 1, 2016 34
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics $30.00 35
North Carolina Sheriffs' Association $30.00 36
Operation Coming Home Expired July 1, 2016 37
Outer Banks Preservation Association Expired July 1, 2016 38
Pamlico-Tar River Foundation Expired July 1, 2016 39
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Expired July 1, 2016 40
P.E.O. Sisterhood Expired July 1, 2016 41
Personalized $30.00 42
Pilot Mountain State Park $30.00 43
Pisgah Conservancy $30.00 44
Red Drum Expired July 1, 2016 45
Retired Legislator $30.00 46
RiverLink Expired July 1, 2016 47
Ronald McDonald House $30.00 48
Share the Road $30.00 49
S.T.A.R. Expired July 1, 2016 50
State Attraction $30.00 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 8 Senate Bill 655-First Edition
Stock Car Racing Theme $30.00 1
Support NC Education Expired July 1, 2016 2
Support Our Troops $30.00 3
Sustainable Fisheries Expired July 1, 2016 4
Toastmasters Club Expired July 1, 2016 5
Topsail Island Shoreline Protection Expired July 1, 2016 6
Travel and Tourism Expired July 1, 2016 7
Turtle Rescue Team Expired July 1, 2016 8
United States Service Academy $30.00 9
Wildlife Resources $30.00 10
Volunteers in Law Enforcement Expired July 1, 2016 11
YMCA Expired July 1, 2016 12
AIDS Awareness Expired July 1, 2016 13
Buffalo Soldiers Expired July 1, 2016 14
Charlotte Checkers Expired July 1, 2016 15
Choose Life $25.00 16
Collegiate Insignia $25.00 17
First in Turf Expired July 1, 2016 18
Goodness Grows Expired July 1, 2016 19
High School Insignia $25.00 20
I.B.P.O.E.W. Expired July 1, 2016 21
Kids First $25.00 22
National Multiple Sclerosis Society $25.00 23
National Wild Turkey Federation $25.00 24
NC Agribusiness Expired July 1, 2016 25
NC Children's Promise Expired July 1, 2016 26
NC Surveyors $25.00 27
Nurses $25.00 28
Olympic Games $25.00 29
Professional Engineer Expired July 1, 2016 30
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation $25.00 31
Special Olympics Expired July 1, 2016 32
Support Soccer $25.00 33
Surveyor Plate $25.00 34
The V Foundation for Cancer Research Division $25.00 35
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina Expired July 1, 2016 36
ALS Association, Jim ''Catfish'' Hunter Chapter Expired July 1, 2016 37
ARC of North Carolina Expired July 1, 2016 38
Audubon North Carolina Expired July 1, 2016 39
Autism Society of North Carolina $20.00 40
Battle of Kings Mountain $20.00 41
Be Active NC Expired July 1, 2016 42
Brain Injury Awareness Expired July 1, 2016 43
Breast Cancer Earlier Detection Expired July 1, 2016 44
Buddy Pelletier Surfing Foundation $20.00 45
Concerned Bikers Association/ABATE of North Expired July 1, 2016 46
Carolina 47
Daughters of the American Revolution Expired July 1, 2016 48
Donate Life $20.00 49
Ducks Unlimited $20.00 50
Fraternal Order of Police $20.00 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 655-First Edition Page 9
Greyhound Friends of North Carolina Expired July 1, 2016 1
Guilford Battleground Company $20.00 2
Harley Owners' Group $20.00 3
International Association of Fire Fighters $20.00 4
I Support Teachers Expired July 1, 2016 5
Jaycees Expired July 1, 2016 6
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation $20.00 7
Kappa Alpha Order Expired July 1, 2016 8
Litter Prevention $20.00 9
March of Dimes Expired July 1, 2016 10
Mission Foundation Expired July 1, 2016 11
Native American $20.00 12
NC Fisheries Association Expired July 1, 2016 13
NC Horse Council $20.00 14
NC Mining Expired July 1, 2016 15
NC Tennis Foundation $20.00 16
NC Trout Unlimited $20.00 17
NC Victim Assistance Expired July 1, 2016 18
NC Wildlife Federation Expired July 1, 2016 19
NC Wildlife Habitat Foundation $20.00 20
NC Youth Soccer Association Expired July 1, 2016 21
North Carolina Master Gardener $20.00 22
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity $20.00 23
Order of the Eastern Star Prince Hall Affiliated $20.00 24
Order of the Long Leaf Pine $20.00 25
Piedmont Airlines $20.00 26
POW/MIA Bring Them Home $20.00 27
Prince Hall Mason $20.00 28
Save the Sea Turtles $20.00 29
Scenic Rivers Expired July 1, 2016 30
School Technology Expired July 1, 2016 31
SCUBA $20.00 32
Soil and Water Conservation Expired July 1, 2016 33
Special Forces Association Expired July 1, 2016 34
US Equine Rescue League Expired July 1, 2016 35
USO of NC Expired July 1, 2016 36
Wrightsville Beach $20.00 37
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority $20.00 38
Carolina Regional Volleyball Association Expired July 1, 2016 39
Carolina's Aviation Museum Expired July 1, 2016 40
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Expired July 1, 2016 41
Lung Cancer Research Expired July 1, 2016 42
NC Beekeepers Expired July 1, 2016 43
Save the Honey Bee (HB) $15.00 44
Save the Honey Bee (SB) $15.00 45
Shag Dancing $15.00 46
Active Member of the National Guard None 47
Bronze Star Combat Recipient None 48
Bronze Star Recipient None 49
Catawba Indian Nation None 50
Combat Veteran Expired July 1, 2016 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 10 Senate Bill 655-First Edition
100% Disabled Veteran None 1
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians None 2
Ex-Prisoner of War None 3
Gold Star Lapel Button None 4
Legion of Merit None 5
Legion of Valor None 6
Military Veteran None 7
Military Wartime Veteran None 8
Partially Disabled Veteran None 9
Pearl Harbor Survivor None 10
Purple Heart Recipient None 11
Silver Star Recipient None 12
All Other Special Plates $10.00. 13
…." 14
SECTION 8. G.S. 70-13 reads as rewritten: 15
"§ 70-13. Archaeological investigations. 16
… 17
(d) If a permit issued under G.S. 70-13(a) may result in harm to, or destruction of, any 18
religious or cultural site, as determined by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, in 19
consultation with the Department of Administration, before issuing such permit, the Department 20
of Natural and Cultural Resources, in consultation with the Department of Administration, shall 21
notify and consult with, insofar as possible, a local representative of an appropriate religious or 22
cultural group. If the religious or cultural site pertains to Native Americans, the Department of 23
Natural and Cultural Resources, in consultation with the Department of Administration, shall 24
notify the Executive Director of the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs. The Executive 25
Director of the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs shall notify and consult with the 26
Eastern Band of Cherokee Cherokee, the Catawba Indian Nation, or other appropriate tribal 27
group or community. Such notification shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 28
(1) The location and schedule of the forthcoming investigation; 29
(2) Background data concerning the nature of the study; and 30
(3) The purpose of the investigation and the expected results. 31
(e) A permit issued under G.S. 70-13 may be suspended by the Department of Natural 32
and Cultural Resources, in consultation with the Department of Administration, upon the 33
determination that the permit holder has violated any provision of G.S. 70-15(a) or G.S. 70-15(b). 34
A permit may be revoked by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, in consultation 35
with the Department of Administration, upon assessment of a civil penalty under G.S. 70-16 36
against the permit holder or upon the permit holder's conviction under G.S. 70-15." 37
SECTION 9. G.S. 70-32 reads as rewritten: 38
"§ 70-32. Consultation with the Native American Community. 39
(a) If the professional archaeologist determines that the human skeletal remains are 40
Native American, the State Archaeologist shall immediately notify the Executive Director of the 41
North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs. The Executive Director shall immediately notify 42
and consult with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Cherokee, the Catawba Indian Nation, or other 43
appropriate tribal group or community. 44
…." 45
SECTION 10. G.S. 70-51 reads as rewritten: 46
"§ 70-51. Archaeological investigations. 47
… 48
(d) If the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources determines that a permit issued 49
under this section may result in harm to, or destruction of, any religious or cultural site, the 50
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, before issuing the permit, shall notify and consult 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 655-First Edition Page 11
with, insofar as possible, a local representative of an appropriate religious or cultural group. If 1
the religious or cultural site pertains to Native Americans, the Department of Natural and Cultural 2
Resources shall notify the Executive Director of the North Carolina Commission of Indian 3
Affairs. The Executive Director of the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs shall notify 4
and consult with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Cherokee, the Catawba Indian Nation, or other 5
appropriate tribal group or community. Such notification shall include, but not be limited to, the 6
following: 7
(1) The location and schedule of the forthcoming investigation; 8
(2) Background data concerning the nature of the study; and 9
(3) The purpose of the investigation and the expected results. 10
(e) A permit issued under this section may be suspended by the Department of Natural 11
and Cultural Resources upon the determination that the permit holder has violated any condition 12
of the permit." 13
SECTION 11. G.S. 104-33 reads as rewritten: 14
"§ 104-33. Applicability of Article. 15
The provisions of this Article shall not apply to any lands owned by the United States and 16
held in trust for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, located in Jackson, Swain, Graham, or 17
Cherokee Counties.Counties or the Catawba Indian Nation." 18
SECTION 12. G.S. 105-275 reads as rewritten: 19
"§ 105-275. Property classified and excluded from the tax base. 20
The following classes of property are designated special classes under Article V, Sec. 2(2), 21
of the North Carolina Constitution and are excluded from tax: 22
… 23
(48) Real and personal property located on lands held in trust by the United States 24
for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Indians or for the Catawba Indian 25
Nation, regardless of ownership. 26
…." 27
SECTION 13. Article 36C of Chapter 105 of the General Statutes is amended by 28
adding a new section to read: 29
"§ 105-449.114A. Authority for agreement with Catawba Indian Nation. 30
(a) The Catawba Indian Nation possesses sovereign legal rights over its members and its 31
trust lands. 32
(b) The following definitions apply in this section: 33
(1) Catawba Chief. – The Chief of the Catawba Indian Nation. 34
(2) Catawba Council. – The General Council of the Catawba Indian Nation. 35
(3) Catawba Nation. – The Catawba Indian Nation. 36
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law concerning refunds of motor fuels and 37
alternative fuels taxes, the Department of Revenue may enter into a memorandum of 38
understanding or an agreement with the Catawba Nation to make refunds of motor fuels and 39
alternative fuels taxes to the Catawba Nation in its collective capacity on behalf of its members 40
who reside on or engage in otherwise taxable transactions within Catawba Nation trust lands. 41
The memorandum or agreement shall be approved by the Catawba Council and signed by the 42
Catawba Chief on behalf of the Catawba Nation and shall be signed by the Secretary on behalf 43
of the Department of Revenue. The memorandum or agreement may not affect the right of an 44
individual member of the Catawba Nation to a refund and shall provide for deduction of amounts 45
refunded to individual members of the Catawba Nation from the amounts to be refunded to the 46
Catawba Nation on behalf of all members. The memorandum or agreement may be effective for 47
a definite or indefinite period, as specified in the agreement." 48
SECTION 14. G.S. 108A-87 reads as rewritten: 49
"§ 108A-87. Allocation of nonfederal shares. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 12 Senate Bill 655-First Edition
(a) The nonfederal share of the annual cost of each public assistance and social services 1
program and related administrative costs may be divided between the State and counties as 2
determined by the General Assembly and in a manner consistent with federal laws and 3
regulations. 4
(b) The nonfederal share of the annual cost of public assistance and social services 5
programs and related administrative costs provided to Indians living on federal reservations held 6
in trust by the United States on their behalf shall be borne entirely by the State. 7
(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, when the Eastern Band of 8
Cherokee Indians or the Catawba Indian Nation assumes responsibility for a program described 9
under G.S. 108A-25(e), the following shall occur: 10
(1) Nonfederal matching funds and State funds for State programs designated to 11
Jackson and Swain counties to serve the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 12
for programs previously borne by the State shall be allocated directly to the 13
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians rather than to those counties and shall not 14
exceed the amount expended by the State for fiscal year 2014-2015 for 15
programs or services assumed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, as 16
applicable, plus the growth rate equal to the growth in State-funded nonfederal 17
share for all counties. Any fund sources from which the tribe receives funds 18
directly from federal agencies are excluded from the requirements of this 19
subdivision. 20
(1a) Nonfederal matching funds and State funds for State programs designated to 21
Cleveland County to serve the Catawba Indian Nation for programs 22
previously borne by the State shall be allocated directly to the Catawba Indian 23
Nation rather than to Cleveland County and shall not exceed the amount 24
expended by the State for programs or services assumed by the Catawba 25
Indian Nation. Any fund sources from which the tribe receives funds directly 26
from federal agencies are excluded from the requirements of this subdivision. 27
(2) Any portion of nonfederal matching funds borne by counties for public 28
assistance and social services programs and related administrative costs shall 29
be borne by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.Indians or Catawba Indian 30
Nation. 31
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the Eastern Band of 32
Cherokee Indians Indians or Catawba Indian Nation from providing further 33
nonfederal matching funds to maximize their receipt of federal funds." 34
SECTION 15. G.S. 108D-62 reads as rewritten: 35
"§ 108D-62. Children and families specialty plan. 36
(a) The following definitions apply in this section: 37
(1) Caretaker relative. – As defined in 42 C.F.R. § 435.4. 38
(2) Child. – A person who is under the age of 18, is not married, and has not been 39
legally emancipated. 40
(3) Custodian. – As defined in G.S. 7B-101, or a comparable tribal code. 41
(4) Foster care. – The placement of a child who is described in 42
G.S. 108D-40(a)(14), or a comparable tribal code, whose custody has been 43
awarded by court order or pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement from 44
the parent, custodian, or guardian (i) to the county department of social 45
services or services, (ii) to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' Department 46
of Public Health and Human Services.Services, or (iii) to the Catawba Nation 47
Department of Family and Social Services. 48
(5) Guardian. – A guardian of the person as defined in G.S. 35A-1202. 49
(6) Minor. – A person who is under the age of 18. 50
(7) Parent. – As defined in 42 C.F.R. § 435.603(b). 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 655-First Edition Page 13
(8) Reunification. – As defined in G.S. 7B-101, or a comparable tribal code. 1
(9) Sibling. – As defined in 42 C.F.R. § 435.603(b). 2
… 3
(d) Unless ineligible under subsection (e) of this section, the following Medicaid 4
recipients shall be eligible to enroll in the CAF specialty plan: 5
(1) Recipients described in G.S. 108D-40(a)(14) and their children. The children 6
shall be enrolled in the CAF specialty plan for as long as the parent remains 7
enrolled, unless the parent elects to enroll the child in another plan in 8
accordance with subsection (g) of this section. 9
(2) Adults identified on an open child protective services in-home family services 10
agreement case and any minor children living in the same home. 11
(3) Adults identified in an open Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Department of 12
Public Health and Human Services Family Safety program case and any 13
children living in the same home. 14
(3a) Adults identified in an open Catawba Nation Department of Family and Social 15
Services family safety program case and any children living in the same home. 16
(4) The minor siblings of a child in foster care who lived in the same home as that 17
child at the time of the child's removal and with whom household reunification 18
or permanency efforts are ongoing. 19
(5) Recipients who have a child temporarily in foster care if all of the following 20
are met: 21
a. A court of competent jurisdiction has not found that aggravated 22
circumstances exist in accordance with G.S. 7B-901(c) or a 23
comparable tribal code. 24
b. A court of competent jurisdiction has not found that a plan of 25
reunification would be unsuccessful or would be inconsistent with the 26
child's health or safety in accordance with G.S. 7B-906.1(d) or a 27
comparable tribal code. 28
c. A court of competent jurisdiction has not found that custody or 29
guardianship with the caretaker relative is an inappropriate permanent 30
plan for the juvenile under G.S. 7B-906.2(a)(3), G.S. 7B-906.2(a)(4), 31
or a comparable tribal code. 32
d. The recipient is any of the following: 33
1. A parent. 34
2. A caretaker relative. 35
3. A custodian. 36
4. A guardian. 37
(6) Any other recipients who have had involvement with the child welfare system 38
and whom the Department has determined would benefit from enrollment in 39
the CAF specialty plan. 40
…." 41
SECTION 16. G.S. 113-276 reads as rewritten: 42
"§ 113-276. Exemptions and exceptions to license and permit requirements. 43
… 44
(l) The fishing license provisions of this Article do not apply upon the lands held in trust 45
by the United States for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.Indians or the Catawba Indian 46
Nation. 47
(l1) The licensing provisions of this Article do not apply to a member of an Indian tribe 48
recognized under Chapter 71A of the General Statutes or a federally recognized Indian tribe with 49
trust lands in North Carolina for purposes of hunting, trapping, or fishing on tribal land. A person 50
taking advantage of this exemption shall possess and produce proper identification confirming 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 14 Senate Bill 655-First Edition
the person's membership in a State-recognized tribe or Indian tribe with trust lands in North 1
Carolina upon request by a wildlife enforcement officer. For purposes of this section, "tribal 2
land" means only real property owned by an Indian tribe recognized under Chapter 71A of the 3
General Statutes.Statutes or a federally recognized Indian tribe. 4
…." 5
SECTION 17. G.S. 115C-210.1 reads as rewritten: 6
"§ 115C-210.1. Membership – How appointed. 7
… 8
(b) American Indian members of the Council shall be broadly representative of North 9
Carolina federally recognized North Carolina Indian tribes and organizations, organizations and 10
North Carolina State-recognized tribes and organizations (Coharie Tribe, Eastern Band of the 11
Cherokee Nation, Catawba Indian Nation, Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe, Lumbee Tribe of North 12
Carolina, Meherrin Indian Tribe, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony, Waccamaw 13
Siouan Tribe, Cumberland County Association for Indian People, Guilford Native American 14
Association, Metrolina Native American Association, Triangle Native American Society, and 15
any other Indian tribe gaining State recognition in the future), and of the parents and educators 16
from tribes recognized by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs." 17
SECTION 18. G.S. 115C-270.21 reads as rewritten: 18
"§ 115C-270.21. Licensure exception for Cherokee and Catawba language instruction. 19
(a) Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State 20
Board of Education shall enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Eastern 21
Band of Cherokee Indians specifying the criteria that must be met in order for individuals to teach 22
Cherokee language and culture classes. classes or with the Catawba Indian Nation specifying the 23
criteria that must be met in order for individuals to teach Catawba language and culture classes. 24
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, individuals approved to teach in accordance with an 25
MOU entered into pursuant to this section shall be authorized to teach Cherokee or Catawba 26
language and culture classes without a license. 27
(b) A memorandum of understanding entered into under this section shall at least include 28
the following: 29
(1) Requirements for approval of individuals employed under this section, 30
including a requirement that the individual has demonstrated mastery of the 31
Cherokee or Catawba language through a credential issued by the Eastern 32
Band of Cherokee Indians.Indians or the Catawba Indian Nation, respectively. 33
(2) A three-year approval period, which may be renewed, for individuals 34
employed under this section. 35
(3) Authority of the Superintendent of Public Instruction or the Superintendent's 36
designee to approve and renew approval of individuals employed under this 37
section, subject to the requirements of the memorandum of understanding. 38
(4) Requirements for renewing approval of individuals employed under this 39
section after three years. 40
(5) A clear statement that an individual authorized to teach pursuant to this section 41
shall not be permitted to provide instruction in other content areas unless the 42
individual possesses a license issued in accordance with G.S. 115C-270.20." 43
SECTION 19. G.S. 115D-5 reads as rewritten: 44
"§ 115D-5. Administration of institutions by State Board of Community Colleges; 45
personnel exempt from North Carolina Human Resources Act; extension 46
courses; tuition waiver; in-plant training; contracting, etc., for establishment 47
and operation of extension units of the community college system; use of existing 48
public school facilities. 49
… 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 655-First Edition Page 15
(b) In order to make instruction as accessible as possible to all citizens, the teaching of 1
curricular courses and of noncurricular extension courses at convenient locations away from 2
institution campuses as well as on campuses is authorized and shall be encouraged. A pro rata 3
portion of the established regular tuition rate charged a full-time student shall be charged a 4
part-time student taking any curriculum course. In lieu of any tuition charge, the State Board of 5
Community Colleges shall establish a uniform registration fee, or a schedule of uniform 6
registration fees, to be charged students enrolling in extension courses for which instruction is 7
financed primarily from State funds. The State Board of Community Colleges may provide by 8
general and uniform regulations for waiver of tuition and registration fees for the following: 9
(1) Persons not enrolled in elementary or secondary schools taking courses 10
leading to a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. 11
(2) Courses requested by the following entities that support the organizations' 12
training needs and are on a specialized course list approved by the State Board 13
of Community Colleges: 14
a. Volunteer fire departments. 15
b. Municipal, county, or State fire departments. 16
c. Volunteer EMS or rescue and lifesaving departments. 17
d. Municipal, county, or State EMS or rescue and lifesaving departments. 18
d1. Law enforcement, fire, EMS or rescue and lifesaving entities serving 19
a lake authority that was created by a county board of commissioners 20
prior to July 1, 2012. 21
e. Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams (REACT) 22
under contract to a county as an emergency response agency. 23
f. Municipal, county, or State law enforcement agencies. 24
f1. Campus police agencies of private institutions of higher education 25
certified by the Attorney General pursuant to Chapter 74G of the 26
General Statutes. 27
g. The Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction and the 28
Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Public Safety for the 29
training of full-time custodial employees and employees of the 30
Divisions required to be certified under Article 1 of Chapter 17C of 31
the General Statutes and the rules of the Criminal Justice and Training 32
Standards Commission. 33
h. Repealed by Session Laws 2017-186, s. 2(hhhhh), effective December 34
1, 2017. 35
i. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Catawba Indian Nation 36
law enforcement, fire, EMS or rescue and lifesaving tribal government 37
departments or programs. 38
j. The Criminal Justice Standards Division of the Department of Justice 39
for the training of criminal justice professionals, as defined in 40
G.S. 17C-20(6), who are required to be certified under (i) Article 1 of 41
Chapter 17C of the General Statutes and the rules of the North 42
Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards 43
Commission or (ii) Chapter 17E of the General Statutes and the rules 44
of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards 45
Commission. The waivers provided for in this sub-subdivision apply 46
to participants and recent graduates of the North Carolina Criminal 47
Justice Fellows Program to obtain certifications for eligible criminal 48
justice professions as defined in G.S. 17C-20(6). 49
…." 50
SECTION 20. G.S. 143-254.2 reads as rewritten: 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 16 Senate Bill 655-First Edition
"§ 143-254.2. Enforcement of local laws. 1
(a) It shall be the duty and responsibility of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources 2
Commission to enforce all local acts heretofore or hereinafter enacted respecting game animals, 3
fur-bearing animals and birds, including local acts which prohibit or restrict hunting from, to or 4
across public roads and highways and including local acts which prohibit or restrict the taking of 5
specified animals or birds. 6
Provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply on the lands of the 7
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.Indians or the Catawba Indian Nation. 8
(b) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to require the hiring of additional 9
personnel by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission." 10
SECTION 21. G.S. 143-652.2 reads as rewritten: 11
"§ 143-652.2. The North Carolina Boxing and Combat Sports Commission. 12
(a) Creation. – The North Carolina Boxing and Combat Sports Commission is created 13
for the purposes set forth in G.S. 143-652.1. The Commission shall be administratively located 14
within the Department of Public Safety, but shall exercise its powers independently of the 15
Secretary of Public Safety. The Commission shall consist of six seven voting members and two 16
nonvoting advisory members. All the members shall be residents of North Carolina. The 17
members shall be appointed as follows: 18
(1) Two voting members shall be appointed by the Governor for an initial term of 19
two years. 20
(2) One voting member shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the 21
recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate for an initial term 22
of three years. 23
(3) One voting member shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the 24
recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives for an initial 25
term of three years. 26
(4) One voting member shall be appointed by the Secretary of Public Safety for 27
an initial term of three years. 28
(5) Repealed by Session Laws 2019-203, s. 12(c), effective October 1, 2019. For 29
applicability date, see notes. 30
(6) One voting member shall be appointed by the Governor for an initial term of 31
three years, from nominations made by the Tribal Council of the Eastern Band 32
of the Cherokee, which shall nominate three individuals for the position. 33
(6a) One voting member shall be appointed by the Governor for an initial term of 34
three years, from nominations made by the Executive Committee of the 35
Catawba Indian Nation, which shall nominate three individuals for the 36
position. 37
(7) One nonvoting advisory member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 38
House of Representatives for an initial term of one year, from nominations 39
made by the North Carolina Medical Society, which shall nominate two 40
licensed physicians for the position. 41
(8) One nonvoting advisory member shall be appointed by the President Pro 42
Tempore of the Senate for an initial term of one year, from nominations made 43
by the North Carolina Medical Society, which shall nominate two licensed 44
physicians for the position. 45
Appointments by the General Assembly pursuant to subdivisions (2) and (3) of this 46
subsection shall be made in accordance with G.S. 120-121. The member appointed pursuant to 47
subdivision (6) of this subsection may serve on the Commission only if an agreement exists and 48
remains in effect between the Tribal Council of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee and the 49
Commission authorizing the Commission to regulate professional boxing matches within the 50
Cherokee Indian Reservation as provided by the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 655-First Edition Page 17
The two nonvoting advisory members appointed pursuant to subdivisions (7) and (8) of this 1
subsection shall advise the Commission on matters concerning the health and physical condition 2
of boxers and health issues relating to the conduct of exhibitions and boxing matches. They may 3
prepare and submit to the Commission for its approval any rules that in their judgment will 4
safeguard the physical welfare of all participants engaged in boxing. 5
Terms for all members of the Commission except for the initial appointments shall be for 6
three years. 7
The Governor shall designate which member of the Commission is to serve as chair. A 8
member appointed pursuant to subdivision (1) or (6) of this subsection shall serve at the 9
Governor's pleasure. The other members of the Commission may be removed from office by the 10
member's appointing authority for cause. Members of the Commission are subject to the conflicts 11
of interest requirements of 15 U.S.C. § 6308 (contained in the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 12
1996, as amended). Each member, before entering upon the duties of a member, shall take and 13
subscribe an oath to perform the duties of the office faithfully, impartially, and justly to the best 14
of the member's ability. A record of these oaths shall be filed in the Department of Public Safety. 15
…." 16
SECTION 22. G.S. 143B-135.5 reads as rewritten: 17
"§ 143B-135.5. American Indian Heritage Commission established. 18
(a) Creation and Duties. – There is created the American Indian Heritage Commission in 19
the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The Commission shall advise and assist the 20
Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources in the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of 21
American Indian history, arts, customs, and culture. The Commission shall have the following 22
powers and duties: 23
(1) Assist in the coordination of American Indian cultural events. 24
(2) Advise the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources on the oversight and 25
management of all State-managed American Indian historic sites. 26
(3) Promote public awareness of the annual American Indian Heritage Month 27
Celebration. 28
(4) Encourage American Indian cultural tourism throughout the State of North 29
Carolina. 30
(5) Advise the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources upon any matter the 31
Secretary may refer to it. 32
(b) Members. – The Commission shall consist of 12 13 members. The initial board shall 33
be selected on or before February 1, 2022, as follows: 34
(1) One representative recommended by each of the following tribes: Catawba 35
Indian Nation, Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Haliwa-Saponi, 36
Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony, and 37
Waccamaw-Siouan. 38
(2) One representative recommended by each of the following organizations: 39
Cumberland County Association for Indian People, Guilford Native American 40
Association, Metrolina Native American Association, and the Triangle Native 41
American Society. 42
(c) Terms. – The members recommended by the Catawba Indian Nation, Coharie, 43
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Haliwa-Saponi, and Lumbee Tribes and the members 44
recommended by the Cumberland County Association for Indian People and the Guilford Native 45
American Association shall serve initial terms of two years expiring on June 30, 2023. The 46
members recommended by the Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony, and 47
Waccamaw-Siouan Tribes and the members recommended by the Metrolina Native American 48
Association and the Triangle Native American Society shall serve initial terms of three years 49
expiring on June 30, 2024. Upon the expiration of the terms of the initial members of the 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 18 Senate Bill 655-First Edition
Commission, each member shall be appointed to terms for three years and shall serve until a 1
successor is appointed. 2
…." 3
SECTION 23. G.S. 143B-1406 reads as rewritten: 4
"§ 143B-1406. Fund distribution to PSAPs. 5
… 6
(g1) Application to Catawba. – The Catawba Indian Nation is an eligible PSAP. The 7
Executive Committee of the Catawba Indian Nation is the local entity for purposes of this section. 8
The Executive Committee must give the 911 Board information adequate to determine the 9
Catawba's base amount. The 911 Board must use the most recent federal census estimate of the 10
population living on Catawba Indian Nation lands to determine the per capita distribution 11
amount. 12
(h) Every local government shall participate in a 911 system. The establishment and 13
operation of regional PSAPs shall be a coordinated effort among local governments, local 14
government agencies, and the Board. Nothing in this Article prohibits or discourages in any way 15
the formation of regional PSAPs. 16
(i) Application to Major Military Installations. – If a PSAP is a party to an 17
intergovernmental support agreement under 10 U.S. Code Section 2679 which includes a PSAP 18
operated by a major military installation, as defined in G.S. 143-215.115, the 911 Board shall 19
treat the population of the major military installation as part of the population of the PSAP and 20
shall treat the intergovernmental support agreement under 10 U.S. Code Section 2679 as an 21
interlocal agreement under sub-subdivision (a)(3)e. of this section for purposes of funding any 22
city or county that is a party to the intergovernmental support agreement under the funding 23
formula under subdivision (a)(3) of this section." 24
SECTION 24. G.S. 164-7 reads as rewritten: 25
"§ 164-7. Statutes not repealed. 26
The General Statutes of North Carolina shall not have the effect of repealing statutes or 27
provisions of statutes which affect only a particular locality, public-local or private statutes, 28
statutes exempting pending litigation from operation of statutes, statutes relating to the boundary 29
of the State or of any county, acts ceding or relating to the ceding of lands of the State to the 30
federal government, statutes relating to the Cherokee or Catawba lands, statutes relating to the 31
construction or interpretation of statutes, statutes by virtue of which bonds have been issued and 32
are outstanding on the effective date of the General Statutes, validating acts or curative statutes, 33
or acts granting pensions to named individuals if such statutes were in force on the effective date 34
of the General Statutes." 35
SECTION 25. Unless otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law. 36