Senate Bill 318 - Native Plants Act Summary

• Department of Natural and Cultural Resources must require use of seeds and plants native to the Southeastern United States (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and specified Florida counties) in all State Parks System lands, with strong preference for North Carolina natives.

• Department of Transportation must use seeds and plants native to the Southeastern United States in highway right-of-way for erosion control and landscaping, with strong preference for North Carolina natives, except nonnative grasses and plants may be used for soil and slope stabilization for erosion control.

• Both departments must consult with university system and community college horticulture programs and the North Carolina Forestry Association in implementing native plant requirements.

• Exemptions include nonnative seeds and plants used in crop cultivation, research facilities, botanical gardens, Wildlife Resources Commission plantings, zoos, and nonnative turf grasses.

• Act becomes effective December 31, 2024, and applies to contracts entered into on or after that date.