NC H62

Banks are prohibited from denying, restricting, or canceling services to agriculture producers based on greenhouse gas emissions, use of fossil-fuel derived fertilizer, or use of fossil-fuel powered machinery

Banks with ESG (environmental, social, or political) commitments related to agriculture face a rebuttable presumption of violation if they deny services to farmers; banks can overcome this by proving decisions were based solely on documented financial considerations

Violations carry civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, enforceable through civil action by either the Commissioner or the affected agriculture producer

Protections apply to banks, state savings and loan associations, state savings banks, and credit unions

Effective upon becoming law, applying to acts committed on or after that date