House Bill 479 directs the State of North Carolina to convey approximately 11 acres of state-owned land in Pender County to the Town of Burgaw for $1.00. The land is part of a larger 355.73-acre parcel listed in the state land inventory, and the Department of Administration, working with the town, is tasked with identifying the specific portion to be transferred. The stated purpose is to support development of a fire training facility and other public uses.
The transfer is limited by a reversionary interest: the property remains with the Town of Burgaw only so long as it is used for public purposes. The bill also requires the conveyance to be made "as is" and "where is," with no warranties from the State regarding title, boundaries, zoning, permitted uses, or environmental and safety conditions. All costs associated with the transfer are assigned to the town. The bill further exempts the conveyance from certain state surplus-property procedures in Article 7 of Chapter 146, while still requiring compliance with Article 16 of Chapter 146, except for G.S. 146-74.
The bill appears to have broad support, at least in the House, where it passed second reading by a vote of 106-0 on April 15, 2025. No committee transcripts were provided, so there is no recorded debate to indicate significant opposition or amendments. The unanimous vote suggests the measure was viewed as a routine local property transfer with a public-purpose justification rather than a controversial policy change.
The main point of interest is the property disposition itself and the conditions attached to it. The State retains protection through the reversionary clause and the disclaimer of warranties, while the Town of Burgaw assumes responsibility for all transfer-related costs and any risks associated with the property’s condition or suitability. Because the land is intended for a fire training facility and other public uses, the bill primarily affects state property management, local government land acquisition, and the town’s public safety infrastructure planning.
Impact
The bill amends the practical disposition of a specific state-owned parcel by authorizing a direct conveyance from the State to the Town of Burgaw outside the usual surplus-property process, subject to the remaining requirements of Chapter 146. It affects the Department of Administration’s management of state land inventory and transfers title to the town for nominal consideration, while preserving a state reversionary interest if the land ceases to be used for public purposes. The measure primarily impacts the State, the Town of Burgaw, and any local planning or public safety uses tied to the property, especially development of a fire training facility.
Sentiment
The available record indicates strong support for the bill. It received a unanimous 106-0 vote on second reading in the House, and there are no committee transcripts showing disagreement or concern. The lack of recorded opposition suggests the bill was treated as a straightforward local land transfer serving a public purpose.
Contention
No formal contention is documented in the provided materials. The only issues implicit in the bill are the State’s decision to transfer public land for nominal consideration, the exclusion from certain surplus-property procedures, and the town’s assumption of all costs and property-condition risks. If any concerns existed, they would likely have centered on title, environmental condition, or the propriety of bypassing standard disposal rules, but none were recorded in the available discussion or vote history.