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Read. Follow. Verify.North Carolina directs Collaboratory to study shellfish leasing and moratoriums with reports due by May 2026
Last action · May 7, 2025: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate action)Sponsors: Carson Smith and 10 others
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What This Bill Would Do
North Carolina requires the North Carolina Collaboratory to conduct a comprehensive study on shellfish aquaculture regulations, leasing effectiveness, and existing , with an interim report due by December 1, 2025, and a final report by May 1, 2026.
Coastal property owners, commercial fishers, and shellfish growers face potential future changes to aquaculture permitting and leasing rules as the state evaluates economic impacts, water quality, and user conflicts.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
shellfish growers
Their aquaculture operations, leasing regulations, and permitting rules are subject to evaluation and potential future legislative changes.
commercial and recreational fishermen
Potential conflicts between aquaculture operations and fishing activities are evaluated as part of the statewide study.
coastal property owners
Potential and actual conflicts between shellfish operations and private property values are examined by the study.
coastal area local governments
The role of local governments in shellfish aquaculture leases in or adjacent to their jurisdictions is evaluated.
Key Facts
- The North Carolina Collaboratory must conduct a comprehensive study on shellfish aquaculture regulations, balancing economic development, environmental protection, and public access.
- The study must evaluate existing permitting, the history of moratoriums, best practices from other states, economic impacts, and property or user conflicts.
- The Collaboratory must examine environmental considerations including water quality, seagrass protection, and the differences between bottom and column leases.
- Consultations are required with the Division of Marine Fisheries, the Marine Fisheries Commission, shellfish growers, fishers, property owners, and local governments.
Show all 6 facts
- An interim report with preliminary findings is due to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources no later than December 1, 2025.
- A final report containing recommendations for legislative or regulatory changes is due by May 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for conducting the shellfish leasing study?
When are the study reports due?
Which groups must be consulted during the study?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
16 actions- May 7, 2025SenateRef To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
- May 7, 2025SenatePassed 1st Reading
- May 7, 2025SenateRegular Message Received From House
- May 7, 2025HouseRegular Message Sent To Senate
- May 6, 2025HousePassed 3rd Reading
- May 6, 2025HousePassed 2nd Reading
Show 10 earlier actions
- May 5, 2025HousePlaced On Cal For 05/06/2025
- May 5, 2025HouseCal Pursuant Rule 36(b)
- May 5, 2025HouseReptd Fav
- Apr 30, 2025HouseRe-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
- Apr 30, 2025HouseReptd Fav
- Apr 29, 2025HouseRe-ref Com On Agriculture and Environment
- Apr 29, 2025HouseReptd Fav
- Apr 10, 2025HouseRef to the Com on Wildlife Resources, if favorable, Agriculture and Environment, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
- Apr 10, 2025HousePassed 1st Reading
- Apr 9, 2025HouseIntroducedFiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
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Connected Entities
Sources
www.ncleg.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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