House Bill 1185 would create a narrow exception to North Carolina’s existing prohibition on mowing highway rights-of-way during the month of May. Under the bill, the Department of Transportation (DOT) could mow state-maintained highway rights-of-way within five miles of a qualifying sporting event held in May if a local government requests it at least 30 days in advance. The event must be expected to draw at least 5,000 attendees, and the mowing would have to occur no earlier than seven days and no later than two days before the event.
The bill also directs DOT to coordinate litter removal with mowing and to include the May-event mowing requirements in any mowing or litter-removal contracts. In addition, it appropriates $10,000 in nonrecurring General Fund money for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to cover DOT administration and operational costs associated with the requested mowing.
HB1185 would amend G.S. 136-28.12, which currently bars DOT from scheduling mowing of highway rights-of-way during May, by adding a limited exception for major sporting events requested by local governments. The bill would affect DOT operations, local governments seeking event-related beautification, and contractors performing mowing or litter removal on state-maintained roads. It would also create a small new General Fund appropriation for implementation costs.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as a practical, targeted exception rather than a broad policy change. The sponsor’s approach suggests support for accommodating high-profile events and improving roadside appearance near venues, with limited fiscal impact. No contrary sentiment is documented in the available record.
The main policy tension is between the existing statewide “no mowing in May” rule and the proposed event-based exception. Potential concerns include whether the exception undermines the purpose of the May mowing prohibition, whether the 5,000-attendee threshold and five-mile radius are appropriate, and whether local governments should be able to trigger DOT action on a compressed timeline. Another possible point of contention is the use of state funds and DOT resources for what may be viewed as localized event preparation rather than routine maintenance.