Federal Funds "Safety Valve": Governor Stein Signs Bill to Save Millions for Rural NC

Raleigh -- May 13, 2026: Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 433 into law Tuesday, a move that functions as a critical financial "safety valve" to protect hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for North Carolina’s rural infrastructure.While the legislation—now Session Law 2026-3—bears the technical title of "SFRF/NCPRO Revisions," its impact is far more tangible: ensuring that federal pandemic recovery money stays in the state to build water lines and expand high-speed internet rather than