A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO MAKE various changes to local laws in north carolina.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. ROWAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS VACANCIES
SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 153A‑27.1(h) reads as rewritten:
"(h)	This section shall apply only in the following counties: Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Avery, Beaufort, Brunswick, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Carteret, Caswell, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Cumberland, Dare, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Graham, Guilford, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Hyde, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Moore, Onslow, Pender, Polk, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Sampson, Stanly, Stokes, Transylvania, and Yancey."
SECTION 1.(b)  This section applies to Rowan County only.
SECTION 1.(c)  This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to vacancies filled on or after that date.

PART II. kannapolis etj relinquishment
SECTION 2.(a)  G.S. 160D‑202(h) reads as rewritten:
"(h)	Relinquishment of Jurisdiction. – When a city relinquishes jurisdiction over an area that it is regulating under this Chapter to a county, the city development regulations and powers of enforcement shall remain in effect until (i) the county has adopted such development regulation or (ii) a period of 90 days has elapsed following the action by which the city relinquished jurisdiction, whichever is sooner. Prior to the transfer of jurisdiction, the county may hold hearings and take other measures consistent with G.S. 160D‑204 that may be required in order to adopt and apply its development regulations for the area at the same time it assumes jurisdiction."
SECTION 2.(b)  G.S. 160D‑601(d) shall not apply to the adoption of development regulations by the County of Rowan establishing jurisdiction over an area after relinquishment of jurisdiction by the City of Kannapolis over that area in accordance with G.S. 160D‑202, as amended by this act.
SECTION 2.(c)  This Part applies only to Rowan County.
SECTION 2.(d)  This section is effective when it becomes law and expires October 1, 2026.

PART III. CITY OF ALBEMARLE – PARTISAN ELECTIONS
SECTION 3.(a)  Section 3.1 of the Charter of the City of Albemarle, being Chapter 259 of the 1979 Session Laws, as amended by S.L. 2015‑253 and Ordinance 19‑35 adopted on October 7, 2019, reads as rewritten:
"Section 3.1. Regular Municipal Elections; Conduct and Method of Election. (a)  Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. The Mayor and members of the City Council shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers.
(b)	Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3)."
SECTION 3.(b)  Section 2.2 of the Charter of the City of Albemarle, being Chapter 259 of the 1979 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 881 of the 1987 Session Laws and Ordinance 95‑18 adopted on May 1, 1995, reads as rewritten:
"Section 2.2.  Council; Composition; Terms of Office; Vacancies.  (a)  The City Council shall be composed of seven members, chosen as follows:
(1)	Three shall be nominated and elected by and from the qualified voters of the City.
(2)	Four shall be nominated and elected by and from the qualified voters of the districts, one each from the four electoral districts established under Section 3.3 of this Charter, in the manner provided by Article III of this Charter. For the district seats, no person shall be eligible to file for, be elected to, or serve on the City Council unless the person is a qualified voter and resident of the electoral district from which the candidate seeks to be elected, and candidates shall be voted on by the voters residing in the electoral district from which that candidate seeks election.
(b)	Members of the City Council shall be elected for staggered four‑year terms.
(c)	Vacancies in the City Council shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by appointment by the remaining members of the City Council. Notwithstanding G.S. 160A‑63, if the vacating official was elected as the nominee of a political party, then the individual recommended by the county executive committee of that political party shall be appointed if the county executive committee makes a recommendation within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy and does either of the following, as applicable:
(1)	For vacancies in the City Council from a district seat, restricts voting to committee members who reside within the electoral district of the vacating member and recommends a person who is a resident of the electoral district.
(2)	For vacancies in the City Council from an at‑large seat, restricts voting to committee members who reside within the corporate limits of the City."
SECTION 3.(c)  Section 2.3 of the Charter of the City of Albemarle, being Chapter 259 of the 1979 Session Laws, as amended by Ordinance 95‑18 adopted on May 1, 1995, reads as rewritten:
"Section 2.3. Mayor; Term of Office; Duties; Vacancies.  (a)  The Mayor shall be elected by and from the qualified voters of the City in the manner provided by Article III of this Charter to serve for a term of four years, or until his successor is elected and qualified. The Mayor shall be the official head of the City government and shall preside at all meetings of the Council. The Mayor shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as presently are or hereafter may be conferred upon him by the General Statutes of North Carolina, by this Charter, and by the ordinances of the City.
(b)	Vacancies in the office of the Mayor shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by appointment of the City Council. Notwithstanding G.S. 160A‑63, if the Mayor was elected as the nominee of a political party, then the individual recommended by the county executive committee of that political party shall be appointed if the county executive committee makes a recommendation within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy and restricts voting to committee members who reside within the corporate limits of the City."
SECTION 3.(d)  Section 3.2 of the Charter of the City of Albemarle, being Chapter 259 of the 1979 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 881 of the 1987 Session Laws and S.L. 2015‑253, is repealed.
SECTION 3.(e)  This section shall not affect the filling of a vacancy that occurs for the officers in the City of Albemarle for a seat elected prior to the effective date of this section.
SECTION 3.(f)  Subsections (a) and (e) of this section become effective at the time of the organizational meeting held in accordance with G.S. 160A‑68 in December 2028. In order to implement subsections (a) and (e) of this section, the 2028 elections shall be conducted as if the provisions of this section were already in effect.

PART IV. MOORE COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES – PARTISAN EVEN‑NUMBERED YEAR ELECTIONS

TOWN OF ABERDEEN
SECTION 4.1.(a)  Article IV of the Charter of the Town of Aberdeen, being Chapter 147 of the 1975 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 220 of the 1995 Session Laws and by Ordinance E2018134, adopted on April 23, 2018, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE IV. ELECTIONS.
"Sec. 4.1. Regular Municipal Elections. The municipal elections shall be held and conducted by the Moore County Board of Elections. The regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The Mayor and the members of the Board of Commissioners shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Articles 23 and 24 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina.
…
"Sec. 4.3. Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3)."
SECTION 4.1.(b)  Section 3.3 of the Charter of the Town of Aberdeen, being Chapter 147 of the 1975 Session Laws, as amended by Ordinance E2018134, adopted on April 23, 2018, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 3.3. Terms; Qualifications.
(a)	The members of the Board of Commissioners shall serve for staggered terms of four years. The Mayor shall serve for a term of four years as set forth in Article IV, Section 4.1. Their terms shall begin on the day and hour of the organizational meeting in December, following their election and they shall serve until their successors are elected and qualify.
(b)	No person shall be eligible to be a candidate or be elected as Mayor or as a member of the Board of Commissioners or to serve in such capacity, unless he is a resident and a qualified voter of the Town.
	"
SECTION 4.1.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Aberdeen in 2027. The terms of office for the three commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the mayor and two commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Aberdeen shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF CAMERON
SECTION 4.2.(a)  Section 4 of the Charter of the Town of Cameron, being Chapter 14 of the Private Laws of 1876, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 4. (a)  Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The mayor and the commissioners shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.
(b)	Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3)."
SECTION 4.2.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Cameron in 2027. The terms of office for the three commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the mayor and the two commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Cameron shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF CARTHAGE
SECTION 4.3.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the Town of Carthage, being S.L. 1999‑239, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE III. ELECTIONS.
"Section 3.1.  Regular Municipal Elections.  Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Elections shall be conducted on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.
"
"
"Section 3.4. Special Elections and Referenda.  Special elections and referenda may be held only as provided by general law or applicable local acts of the General Assembly.
"Section 3.5. Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3)."
SECTION 4.3.(b)  Section 2.7 of Article II of the Charter of the Town of Carthage, being S.L. 1999‑239, reads as rewritten:
"Section 2.7.  Compensation; Qualifications for Office.  The compensation and qualifications of the Mayor and Council members shall be in accordance with general law."
SECTION 4.3.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Carthage in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and the two council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the three council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Carthage shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF PINEBLUFF
SECTION 4.4.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the Town of Pinebluff, being Chapter 243 of the 1979 Session Laws, as amended by Ordinance 1987‑3‑19, adopted on March 19, 1987, and by Ordinance 2016‑01, adopted on June 16, 2016, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE III. ELECTIONS.
"Section 3.1. Regular Municipal Elections; Conduct and Method of Election. Regular municipal elections shall be held in the Town at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The Mayor and members of the Board of Commissioners shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.
"Section 3.2. Election of the Board of Commissioners; Election of Mayor. The Mayor shall be elected to serve a four‑year term. The Commissioners shall be elected to serve staggered four‑year terms.
"Section 3.3. Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3)."
SECTION 4.4.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Pinebluff in 2027. The terms of office for the three commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the mayor and the two commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Pinebluff shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF ROBBINS
SECTION 4.5.(a)  Section 3 of the Charter of the Town of Robbins, being Chapter 63 of the Private Laws of 1935, as amended by the Order approved by the Municipal Board of Control on April 1, 1943, and by Chapter 230 of the 1979 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"The officers of the Town of Robbins shall consist of a mayor and five commissioners to be elected on a partisan basis to serve staggered terms of four years. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.
Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3)."
SECTION 4.5.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Robbins in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and two commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the three commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Robbins shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF SOUTHERN PINES
SECTION 4.6.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the Town of Southern Pines, being Chapter 352 of the 1981 Session Laws, as amended by Ordinance SP05.502 adopted on September 12, 1989, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE III.
"ELECTIONS.
"Sec. 3.1. Regular Municipal Elections; Conduct and Method of Election.–Regular municipal elections shall be held in the Town at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Members of the Town Council and the mayor shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.
"
"Sec. 3.3. Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3)."
SECTION 4.6.(b)  Section 2.2 of the Charter of the Town of Southern Pines, being Chapter 352 of the 1981 Session Laws, as amended by Ordinance SP05.502 adopted on September 12, 1989, and by Ordinance 987 adopted on June 10, 2003, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 2.2. Town Council; Composition; Term of Office. – The Town Council shall consist of four council members and a mayor, who shall be elected at large by and from the qualified voters of the Town. The mayor shall be elected to serve a four‑year term and council members shall be elected to serve staggered four‑year terms."
SECTION 4.6.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Southern Pines in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and the two town council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the two town council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Southern Pines shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF TAYLORTOWN
SECTION 4.7.(a)  Chapter IV of the Charter of the Town of Taylortown, being Section 2 of Chapter 601 of the 1987 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Chapter IV.
"Elections.
"Sec. 4.1 Conduct of Town Elections. The Town Council shall be elected at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.
"Sec. 4.2 Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3)."
SECTION 4.7.(b)  Section 3.5 of Chapter III of the Charter of the Town of Taylortown, being Section 2 of Chapter 601 of the 1987 Session Laws, is repealed.
SECTION 4.7.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Taylortown in 2027. The terms of office for the five members of the Town Council serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Taylortown shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028.

TOWN OF VASS
SECTION 4.8.(a)  Section 6 of the Charter of the Town of Vass, being Chapter 407 of the 1907 Private Laws, as amended by Chapter 817 of the 1953 Session Laws, and by Ordinance 1988‑11, adopted on November 9, 1998, is repealed.
SECTION 4.8.(b)  The Charter of the Town of Vass, being Chapter 407 of the 1907 Private Laws, as amended by Chapter 817 of the 1953 Session Laws, Chapter 226 of the 1957 Session Laws, and by Ordinance 1988‑11, adopted on November 9, 1998, is amended by adding a new section to read:
"Sec. 6.1. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Town officers shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3)."
SECTION 4.8.(c)  Section 3 of the Charter of the Town of Vass, being Chapter 407 of the 1907 Private Laws, as amended by Chapter 226 of the 1957 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 3. The governing body shall consist of a Mayor and five Commissioners. The Mayor shall serve for a term of two years. The Commissioners shall serve for staggered four‑year terms."
SECTION 4.8.(d)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Vass in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and the three commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the two commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Vass shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

VILLAGE OF FOXFIRE VILLAGE
SECTION 4.9.(a)  Article IV of the Charter of Foxfire Village, being Chapter 237 of the 1977 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE IV.
"ELECTIONS.
"Sec. 4.1. Conduct of Village Elections. Municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Village officers shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.
…
"Sec. 4.3. Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3)."
SECTION 4.9.(b)  Article III of the Charter of Foxfire Village, being Chapter 237 of the 1977 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE III.
"GOVERNING BODY.
"
"Sec. 3.2. Structure of Governing Body, Number of Members. The governing body of Foxfire Village is the Village Council, which has five members.
"Sec. 3.3. Manner of Election of Council. The qualified voters of the entire Village shall elect the members of the Council. The municipal election shall be held and conducted by the County Board of Elections.
"Sec. 3.4. Term of Office of the Members of the Council. The members of the Village Council shall be elected for staggered four‑year terms.
	
"Sec. 3.5. Election of the Mayor, Term of Office. At the organizational meetings of the Council following each regular municipal election, the Council shall elect one of its members to serve as its Mayor. The Mayor shall serve as such at the pleasure of the Council.
"
"
SECTION 4.9.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Village of Foxfire Village in 2027. The terms of office for the two council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the three council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Village of Foxfire Village shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

VILLAGE OF PINEHURST
SECTION 4.10.(a)  Section III of the Charter of the Village of Pinehurst, being that Charter approved by the Municipal Board of Control on May 8, 1980, as amended by Ordinance Number 95‑17 and by Ordinance Number 01‑16, reads as rewritten:
"The Village Council shall consist of four Councilmembers and one Mayor. All Councilmembers and the Mayor shall serve staggered terms of four years.  Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Councilmembers and the Mayor shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with Articles 23 and 24 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

The Mayor has the right to vote on all matters before the Council. The Mayor has no right to break a tie vote in which he participated.
Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3)."
SECTION 4.10.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Village of Pinehurst in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and two councilmembers serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the two councilmembers serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Village of Pinehurst shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

VILLAGE OF WHISPERING PINES
SECTION 4.11.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the Village of Whispering Pines, being S.L. 2008‑105, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE III. ELECTIONS.
"Section 3.1. Regular Municipal Elections. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The Village Council shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina.
"Sec. 3.2. Election of the Village Council. The terms of the five members elected to the Village Council shall be staggered.
…
"Sec. 3.4. Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3)."
SECTION 4.11.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Village of Whispering Pines in 2027. The terms of office for the two council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the three council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Village of Whispering Pines shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

PART V. MOORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION – PARTISAN ELECTIONS
SECTION 5.(a)  Section 2(a) of S.L. 2015‑244 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 2.(a)  Notwithstanding Chapter 389 of the 1997 Session Laws, the Board of Education of Moore County shall consist of seven members. Notwithstanding G.S. 115C‑37, all members shall be elected on a partisan basis at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year as terms expire. Candidates for election to the Board of Education of Moore County shall be nominated at the same time and in the same manner as other county officers. Members shall take office on the first Monday in December following the election. Members shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be conducted in accordance with Chapters 115C and 163 of the General Statutes."
SECTION 5.(b)  Section 2(d) of S.L. 2015‑244 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 2.(d)  Members shall reside in and represent the districts, but all members shall be elected by the voters of the county at  large. No person shall be eligible to file for or be elected to the Board of Education of Moore County unless the person is a qualified voter and resident of the residency district in which the person seeks to be elected. Vacancies on the Moore County Board of Education shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 115C‑37.1."
SECTION 5.(c)  This section does not affect the term of office for any person elected in 2026 to the Moore County Board of Education. Any vacancy on the Moore County Board of Education for a member elected in 2026 shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Moore County Board of Education to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. When a vacancy occurs in a seat elected from a residency district, the successor shall be selected from the residency district of the vacating member. Each member of the Moore County Board of Education elected in 2026, or any member appointed to fill a vacancy for a member elected in 2026, shall serve until a successor has been elected and qualified.
SECTION 5.(d)  G.S. 115C‑37.1(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d)	This section shall apply only to the Asheboro City Board of Education, the Hickory City Board of Education and the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education and in the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Beaufort, Brunswick, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Carteret, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Columbus, Craven, Dare, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Harnett, Henderson, Hyde, Iredell, Johnston, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Moore, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Vance, Washington, and Yancey."
SECTION 5.(e)  This section becomes effective the first Monday in December 2028. In order to implement this section, the 2028 elections shall be conducted as if the provisions of this section were already in effect.

PART VI. REPEAL MOORE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD POLICE
SECTION 6.(a)  S.L. 2010‑64 is repealed.
SECTION 6.(b)  This section becomes effective January 1, 2027.

PART VII. ADD CHOWAN COUNTY TO ALBEMARLE DISTRICT JAIL COMMISSION
SECTION 7.(a)  Section 2 of Chapter 341 of the 1971 Session Laws reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 2. Article 7 of Chapter 153 of the General Statutes is hereby amended by adding a new section to read as follows:
"G.S. 153‑53.8.  District or regional jail commission. – When two or more units of local government have entered into an agreement as authorized in G.S. 153‑53.7, the governing bodies shall create a jail commission composed of representatives from each participating unit appointed by the governing board of each unit. The number of members and their apportionment among the participating units shall be mutually agreed upon by the participating units, but if no agreement can be reached, each participating unit shall be allotted two members. Each member shall be appointed for a term of two years, and shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies occurring for any cause shall be filled by appointment by the governing body which made the original appointment in which the vacancy occurs.
The jail commission shall be the administrative authority of the confinement facility, and shall adopt rules and regulations for the operation of the facility which are not in conflict with law.
The jail commission shall have all of the following powers and duties:
(1)	Within the limits of funds made available to it, and when authorized by the governing bodies of the local units, to enter into contracts in the name of the respective units for the construction and operation of the confinement facilities.
(2)	To employ such personnel as may be necessary to carry out its work.
(3)	To accept, receive and disburse in furtherance of its functions any funds, grants and services made available by the State or federal governments and their agencies, any municipality or county and by private sources. All fiscal procedures shall be in accordance with the laws applicable to the participating units, and the jail commission shall prepare each year a report of its activities including a financial statement, and distribute the report to each participating unit.
The jail commission shall organize by electing a chair, vice chair, and secretary‑treasurer. The secretary‑treasurer shall provide a surety bond payable to the State of North Carolina in such amount and on such terms as the jail commission may require. The jail commission shall hold one regular meeting each month and may call special meetings at the request of the chair or any two members.
The jail commission shall perform such duties and functions relating to the confinement facility as the governing bodies of the participating units by joint resolution may direct. Members of the jail commission shall receive such compensation as the governing bodies of the participating units may fix by resolution. The amount of financial contribution of each participating unit to the jail commission shall be determined by a percentage proportion that the population of each participating unit bears to the total population of all participating units as indicated by the latest federal census of population.
This section shall apply only to the following counties: Camden, Chowan, Pasquotank, and Perquimans.""
SECTION 7.(b)  Section 2.1 of Chapter 341 of the 1971 Session Laws reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 2.1. The jail commission for Camden, Chowan, Pasquotank, and Perquimans Counties shall be composed of one member from Camden, one member from Chowan, two members from Pasquotank, and one member from Perquimans."
SECTION 7.(c)  Section 2 of Chapter 371 of the 1991 Session Laws reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 2. This act applies only to the Albemarle District Jail facility in Elizabeth City and to Camden, Chowan, Pasquotank, and Perquimans Counties, which place prisoners in that facility."
SECTION 7.(d)  This section becomes effective July 1, 2026.

part viii. claremont building height limitations
SECTION 8.  Notwithstanding any provision of Chapter 160D of the General Statutes, the City of Claremont may establish a maximum building height on any building within the corporate limits of the City of Claremont not to exceed 125 feet. For purposes of this section, "building height" shall mean the vertical distance measured from the average grade to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof, to the deck line of a mansard roof, or to the mean height level between the eaves and ridge of a gable, hip, or gambrel roof. The height limitation created by this section does not apply to spires, belfries, cupolas, antennas, water tanks, ventilators, chimneys, or other appurtenances usually required to be placed above the roof level and not intended for human occupancy. This section does not apply to (i) buildings erected prior to July 1, 2026, (ii) hospitals, (iii) churches, (iv) cultural performing arts centers, or (v) government buildings. Variances to this section may be granted by the council.

part ix. harnett county jetport
SECTION 9.(a)  G.S. 160D‑904 reads as rewritten:
"§ 160D‑904.  Airport zoning.
Any local government may enact and enforce airport zoning regulations pursuant to this Chapter or as authorized by Article 4 of Chapter 63 of the General Statutes. G.S. 160D‑601(d) shall not apply to airport zoning regulations. Airport zoning regulations for real property within 6 miles of any cargo airport complex site subject to regulation by the North Carolina Global TransPark Authority are governed by G.S. 63A‑18."
SECTION 9.(b)  This Part applies only to Harnett County.

part X. effective date
SECTION 10.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.