(The Center Square) – Halting implementation of new property revaluations in fiscal year 2026-27 drew support from seven Democrats in a landslide approval by senators in North Carolina.
The measure is merely a pause, says leaders and bill authors in the upper chamber, with more work to be done. Agreement from the House of Representatives – the chamber received it Thursday – is needed to get the legislation to first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein for signature.
Property Tax Reappraisal Moratorium, known also as Senate Bill 889, would mandate counties with newly updated property values for fiscal year 2027 to push implementation back one year. In fiscal year 2028, the 2026 reappraisal values would begin.
A fiscal note says local revenues would incur a $10 million loss.
Passage was 35-8.
Negotiation of the chambers is forecast on the horizon. Each wants change. The House of Representatives, however, seeks a constitutional amendment for voters creating a levy limit.
Democratic Sens. Gale Adcock, Sydney Batch and Dan Blue of Wake County, Paul Lowe of Forsyth County, Mujtaba Mohammed of Mecklenburg County, Natalie Murdock of Durham County and Kandie Smith of Pitt County were with the Republican majority on the vote. Two Republicans were excused and none voted against the measure. Four Democrats were also excused.
Batch is the chamber’s minority party leader; Blue held that position before this two-year session began in 2025. Wake’s last revaluation in 2024 put the rate at 51.7 cents per $100 valuation.
Property taxes get assessment and collection within each of the state’s 100 counties. Rates vary. For example, Northampton County ($1.206 per $100 value), Edgecombe County ($1.17) and Martin County ($1.15) are on the high end; Jackson (37 cents), Clay and Macon (each 44 cents) counties are on the lower end.
Home prices, on average, have increased in 71 of 71 counties implementing property revaluations in the last three years, says the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.
