Senate Bill 305 appropriates $3 million in recurring General Fund money to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management, for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds are intended to expand and promote the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program and related training efforts across the state.
The bill also directs the Division to use part of the appropriation to create a new program or expand an existing one that partners with local community organizations. Those partnerships would support training sessions and outreach strategies designed to increase public participation in CERT preparedness programs. The act would take effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would increase state spending and create a recurring appropriation for emergency preparedness programming within the Department of Public Safety. It would not amend criminal, regulatory, or tax statutes directly, but it would authorize and direct state resources toward CERT training, community outreach, and local partnership-based emergency response education. The practical effect would be to expand statewide disaster readiness capacity and potentially increase participation in volunteer-based emergency response training.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the available record. Based on the bill text, the measure appears generally supportive of public safety, preparedness, and community resilience, and its framing suggests a positive policy goal rather than a controversial regulatory change. The absence of recorded opposition or amendments in the provided materials makes the overall sentiment appear neutral to favorable.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is fiscal: the bill commits $3 million in recurring General Fund appropriations, which may prompt questions about budget priorities, long-term funding commitments, and whether the program should be expanded through state funds versus local or federal support. Another possible issue is program design, including how the Division of Emergency Management would select community partners, measure effectiveness, and ensure outreach reaches underserved communities. No specific objections, supporters, or negotiated compromises are documented in the materials provided.
Recognizing Open Water Lifeguards As First Responders In Acknowledgement Of Their Essential Role In Emergency Response, Public Safety, And Community Wellbeing Throughout The State.
Recognizing Open Water Lifeguards As First Responders In Acknowledgement Of Their Essential Role In Emergency Response, Public Safety, And Community Wellbeing Throughout The State.