From vaping to insurance rates, here are the new NC laws taking effect in July

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Several laws take effect beginning July 1 in North Carolina. While Governor Josh Stein signs a flurry of new legislation into law, many of the bills now in effect bear former Governor Roy Cooper’s signature.

Vape product regulation

General Assembly members passed a bill in 2023 to regulate youth access to nicotine and alternative nicotine products.

Retailers may only sell products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Violators risk fines and loss of their business license.

The Department of Revenue has a list of certified products.

The law went into effect May 1, but retailers were given a 60-day grace period to ensure their vape products are approved.

Automotive insurance

Drivers may have to pay higher insurance premiums now that a law increases the required minimum liability insurance.

Policyholders previously had to have minimum liability limits of $30,000 per person, $25,000 per accident for property damages and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury. As of Tuesday, those rates increase to $50,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for property damages and $100,000 per accident for bodily harm.

Drivers may not see a price change until they renew their policy.

The state is also increasing the length of time new drivers must pay an Inexperienced Operator Surcharge. The charge is only applied to drivers with fewer than three years behind the wheel. It now expands the fee for those with fewer than eight years of driving experience.

The surcharge is applied to those who are newly licensed in the state on or after July 1.

Transportation Commerce Tax

Rideshare service and taxi customers will likely see an additional tax on their bills.

For-hire ground transportation services will owe a 1.5% tax on exclusive rides, where an individual or group requests a ride, and a 1% tax on shared rides, where passengers of different parties and paying separately are connected by the company.

Trip fares, booking fees, surcharges, fuel costs, cleaning fees, and wait time fees are subject to the Transportation Commerce Tax.

Human trafficking training

House Bill 971 passed unanimously in 2024 to require property managers of vacation rentals to have specialized training to recognize signs of human trafficking.

Managers and employees of lodging accommodations must have a protocol for reporting suspected trafficking activity.

The Department of Labor is responsible for developing the awareness training.

The law also increases confidentiality for the victim in criminal proceedings and a penalty for a first offense of soliciting another for prostitution.