Bill > S554

This bill aims to prevent financial institutions from discriminating against agricultural producers based on their environmental practices by prohibiting banks, savings associations, savings banks, and credit unions from denying or canceling services to farmers solely because of their greenhouse gas emissions, use of fossil-fuel derived fertilizer, or use of fossil-fuel powered machinery. The bill defines an "agriculture producer" as a person or entity engaged in commercial crop or livestock production and requires the relevant regulatory commissioners or administrators to monitor and enforce this anti-discrimination provision during their routine examinations of financial institutions. The legislation also makes it clear that violating these provisions could result in a Class 1 misdemeanor for the financial institution. By extending the anti-discrimination protections across different types of financial institutions (banks, savings associations, savings banks, and credit unions), the bill seeks to ensure that farmers are not penalized financially for their current agricultural practices, potentially protecting traditional farming methods from emerging environmental lending criteria. The act becomes effective immediately upon becoming law and applies to acts committed on or after that date.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S554