House Bill 226 Summary

• Appropriates $239.2 million for fiscal year 2019-2020 and $572.7 million for fiscal year 2020-2021 to implement salary increases and employee benefits for North Carolina state employees.

• Awards 2.5% legislative salary increases effective July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2020, to eligible state-funded employees, excluding local school and community college employees, UNC employees, and certain law enforcement and correctional officers.

• Increases salaries for Governor from $147,287 to $150,969 (2019) and $154,743 (2020); Council of State members to $133,365 (2019) and $136,699 (2020); and judicial officers with corresponding increases for all salary schedules.

• Awards eligible full-time permanent state employees 5 additional days of annual leave on July 1, 2019, with pro-rata amounts for part-time employees; leave cannot be cashed out and is forfeited if unused upon separation.

• Sets employer contribution rates for retirement benefits, health insurance, and disability programs; establishes maximum state health plan contributions of $4,900 (Medicare-eligible) and $6,306 (non-Medicare-eligible) for 2019-2020, increasing to $5,165 and $6,647 for 2020-2021.