New NC laws, including vape ban, take effect this week — here’s what they change
New laws on vaping, executive powers, human trafficking and more took effect on Tuesday, July 1.
Here’s a look at some notable legislative changes coming to North Carolina:
Ban on some vape products takes effect
Many vape products will become illegal across North Carolina due to House Bill 900, a bill signed into law last year by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
The bill targets vapes that don’t have approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which includes a wide swath of the current market of disposable vape products.
Approved vapes are listed in a new vapor certification directory maintained by the state Department of Revenue.
Retailers who violate the new restrictions could face fines or the revocation of their business licenses.
Highway Patrol power shift
Last year, Republicans enacted a sweeping bill to take away power from incoming Gov. Josh Stein and other newly elected Democrats.
Most of that bill, Senate Bill 382, has already taken effect.
But a portion of the law dealing with control over the State Highway Patrol takes effect on Tuesday after a court ruled against Stein’s efforts to block it.
The bill establishes the Highway Patrol as an independent executive branch agency instead of a subsidiary of the Department of Public Safety. It also prevents Stein from appointing a new commander of the patrol or removing the current one.
The legislation specifically gives the current commander, Col. Freddy Johnson, a new five-year term beginning on July 1.
Human trafficking training
Starting this week, lodging establishments and vacation rentals will have to meet new requirements to prevent and report human trafficking.
The requirements are set out in House Bill 971, which passed unanimously last year.
Property managers and their employees will have to take training on human trafficking awareness and create procedures to report suspected trafficking.
New oversight for state investments
The first phase in a new plan to shift authority over the state’s investments begins this week.
Under current law, the state treasurer has full authority to manage investments in the state’s $129 billion pension plan — but House Bill 506 creates a new investment authority board to oversee these funds.
State Treasurer Brad Briner has supported the shift, saying it will bring better investment results, The News & Observer previously reported.
This week, the section of the bill creating the new investment authority takes effect — though it won’t actually take control over the funds until next year.
This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 4:22 PM.
