Bill > H42

This bill appropriates funds for salary increases, bonuses, and enhanced benefits for various public safety personnel and National Guard members for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. * **State Law Enforcement Compensation Increases:** $62,718,122 in recurring funds for FY 2025-2026 and $64,218,122 in recurring funds for FY 2026-2027 from the General Fund to provide legislatively mandated salary increases to state law enforcement and correctional officers, and State Bureau of Investigation administrative employees. This includes allocations to the Department of Public Safety, State Highway Patrol, State Bureau of Investigation, Department of Adult Correction, Wildlife Resources Commission, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Department of Environmental Quality, and Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. * **State Law Enforcement Bonuses:** $41,039,231 in nonrecurring funds for FY 2025-2026 and $41,039,231 in nonrecurring funds for FY 2026-2027 from the General Fund to award legislatively mandated bonuses to state law enforcement officers. This includes allocations to the Office of State Budget and Management, Department of Public Safety, and State Bureau of Investigation. * **State Law Enforcement Bonuses (Annual):** $1,500 per year for FY 2025-2026 and FY 2026-2027 from the General Fund for sworn state law enforcement officers employed on June 30th of each respective year. * **Local Law Enforcement Bonuses:** $1,500 per year for FY 2025-2026 and FY 2026-2027 from the General Fund for sworn local law enforcement officers employed on June 30th of each respective year. * **North Carolina National Guard Recruitment and Retention Bonuses:** Funds are authorized for recruitment and retention bonuses for members of the North Carolina National Guard who refer enlistments or extend their service during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. * **North Carolina Firefighters' and Rescue Squad Workers' Pension Fund Enhancements:** The bill amends statutes to increase monthly pension benefits for eligible firefighters and rescue squad workers, and modifies provisions related to disability and line-of-duty death benefits. * **North Carolina National Guard Pension Fund Benefit Increases:** The monthly pension benefit for members of the North Carolina National Guard is increased from $105 to $108 per month for 20 years of service, with additional increases for more service, and an increased maximum pension. * **Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act:** The death benefit for covered persons killed in the line of duty is increased from $100,000 to $150,000. An appropriation of $1,260,750 in recurring funds for each year of the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium from the General Fund is provided to the Department of State Treasurer for these benefits.