NC H527

Appropriates $960,429 in recurring funds and $1,006,488 in nonrecurring funds to the State Highway Patrol for fiscal year 2023-2024 to hire 12 full-time State Troopers assigned to Mecklenburg County District H5.

Increases the minimum number of magistrates in Mecklenburg County from 31 to 36.5 and appropriates $373,930 in recurring funds and $15,140 in nonrecurring funds to hire five additional magistrates.

Increases minimum fine for failing to stop for a school bus from $500 to $1,000 for Class 1 misdemeanor violations and from $1,250 to $2,250 for Class I felony violations involving striking a person; increases Class H felony fine from $2,500 to $3,500 for deaths resulting from such violations; effective December 1, 2023.

Authorizes vehicle registration as prima facie evidence of who operated a vehicle in school bus stop violations, with rental proof establishing the renter as the operator.

Appropriates $20,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2023-2024 and $15,000,000 in recurring funds for 2024-2025 to the Department of Transportation to record and store highway camera video; establishes detailed disclosure and release procedures for these recordings with protections for privacy and investigations.

Appropriates $3,000,000 in recurring funds from the Highway Fund to expand the Charlotte iMap Center and North Carolina Department of Transportation Metrolina Transportation Management Center to 24-hour daily operation.