The Machinery Act rarely gives local governments much discretion. Most often our property tax statutes proscribe exactly what should happen in a given situation. There are a few tax collection situations in which local governments have flexibility, however. Consider the unfettered … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
Many local governments in North Carolina own and manage water and wastewater utilities as public enterprises. These services are costly to keep running, and smaller systems often have difficulty setting rates that generate enough revenue to cover both operating expenses … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
A new state law (Session Law 2025-16) enacted this summer will soon require all counties and cities in North Carolina to subject all applicants for positions that require working with children in any way to criminal history record checks conducted … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
In June 2024, changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule aimed at supporting reproductive health care privacy went into effect. I wrote about these changes in a blog post, and also published a follow-up post with more detail about the Privacy … Read more The post Update: What’s the Status of the 2024 HIPAA Final Rule Regarding Reproductive Health? appeared first on Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law.| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
In the fall of 2023, Matthew Creech won the mayoral race in Lucama, North Carolina as a write-in candidate. Immediately after new-mayor Creech took office, the town council (called the “board of commissioners”) unanimously adopted a resolution “establishing the powers … Read more The post Board Action and the Powers of the Mayor appeared first on Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law.| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has a long history of supporting disaster recovery activities. Most recently, the agency made $1.45 billion available through its 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program (DSGP) to assist communities impacted by federally declared disasters in … Read more The post EDA’s Disaster Supplemental Grant Program appeared first on Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law.| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
The following post is authored by SOG faculty member Sara DePasquale. This is my second post discussing S.L. 2025-16, the Fostering Care in NC Act. The various sections of this significant 32-page session law have different effective dates. Some sections became … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
The Fostering Care in NC Act: Changes to Child Welfare Effective October 1, 2025, Part 1| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
I am excited to share a new resource for governing boards of local public health agencies in North Carolina! Local Boards of Health in North Carolina provides local board of health members with the information that they need to understand … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
My colleague Kirsten Leloudis and I are pleased to announce the publication of Consolidated Human Services Boards in North Carolina, a new book now available from the School of Government. Since the enactment of Session Law 2012-126 thirteen years ago, … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
Local Government Utilities Not Authorized to Charge Meter Tampering Penalties| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
This is the third and final blog post in a series discussing how President Trump’s Executive Orders (EOs) impact employment discrimination law at the local level. The first post focused on EOs ordering the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion … Read more The post Antidiscrimination Law under the Second Trump Administration Part 3: Reinterpretation of Unlawful “Sex” Discrimination appeared first on Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law.| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
The Town of Tamperville, NC disconnects a customer’s water service for nonpayment. Two weeks later, a staff member reviewing usage data notices something unusual. Water is being used at the property, even though service has not been restored. A technician … Read more The post Local Government Utilities Not Authorized to Charge Meter Tampering Penalties appeared first on Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law.| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
The law surrounding property tax exemption applications, already confusing, was made even murkier under a bill recently signed by the governor. Session Law 2025-20 (HB91) allows for retroactive exemption applications, but only for the religious exemption and only for the … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
Beginning December 1, 2025, a new North Carolina law will provide enhanced protections for employees, agents, and contractors who work for utility and communications providers—including those employed by local governments and public authorities. Under an amendment to G.S. 14-33(b), a … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
In North Carolina, each county department of social services (DSS) is responsible for receiving and evaluating reports of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of disabled adults. See G.S. 108A-102 and –103. These reports and the evaluations that follow them often … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
Session Law 2025-16 (HB 612) was signed into law on June 26, 2025. It makes numerous changes related to child welfare, many of which are discussed by my colleague Sara DePasquale in this blog post. Section 1.17.(b) of the new … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
When a state transportation project requires the relocation of water or sewer lines, the cost of moving that infrastructure often falls on the local government that owns it. These expenses, known as nonbetterment costs, can be significant, especially for smaller … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
The following post is authored by SOG faculty member Sara DePasquale On June 26, 2025, H612 was signed by the Governor and became S.L. 2025-16. This session law makes significant amendments to the laws addressing juvenile abuse, neglect, and dependency … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
It is common for North Carolina counties and municipalities to seek out state or federal grants and loans to help fund local projects. These external funding sources can be essential to getting work done, especially in communities with limited local … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
Discrimination| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
North Carolina is often described as a “Dillon’s Rule” state. What does that mean? Is it the opposite of home rule? Does it mean our courts apply Dillon’s Rule in interpreting the scope of local government authority? Or does it … Read more| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law