North Carolina Senate Passes The ‘Back the Blue Pay Act’
Yesterday, the North Carolina Senate passed House Bill 42 “Back the Blue Pay Act” in a unanimous vote. The legislation now heads to conference committee, where the House and Senate will work out the differences between the bills that passed.
“Every morning, the hardworking men and women in law enforcement wake up and put their lives on the line to keep us safe,” Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said. “This salary package represents the General Assembly’s commitment to supporting and honoring those who protect us day in and day out.”
Here are some key components of this legislation:
Law enforcement officers, both local and state, would receive a bonus of $3,000 over the biennium.
Under this bill, correctional officers will receive a 6.5% raise, for a total raise of 8.9%, including step increases. Probation and Parole Officers will receive a total raise of 6.9%, including step increases. State law enforcement officers, State Capitol Police, and law enforcement officers within the Division of Marine Fisheries, Forestry, Parks, and Wildlife Resources, will also receive a 6.5% raise.
The legislation appropriates $10.0 million to standardize the experience-based law enforcement salary schedule and provide a 6.5% raise for sworn member of the State Highway Patrol. State Bureau of Investigation, and Alcohol Law Enforcement.
SBI and ALE officers moving back to this step schedule will result in an average salary increase of 14.4%, including step movement. State Highway Patrol officers will receive an average salary increase of 9.2%, including step movement. Juvenile Justice will receive $5.1 million recurring to implement increases to the salary schedule and an across-the-board salary increase to help with salary compression issues. Administrative employees at the State Bureau of Investigation will receive a 5.25% raise in the first year of the biennium.
The legislation provides $3 million in nonrecurring funding and $1.5 million in recurring funding to the North Carolina National Guard to provide recruitment and retention bonuses. Additionally, the legislation provides increases to the Firefighters’ and Rescue Squad Workers’ Pension Fund and the National Guard Pension Fund.
Finally, it increases the Line of Duty Death Benefit for public safety employees to $150,000.
What They Are Saying:
“This bill keeps our state law enforcement agencies competitive to recruit and retain highly qualified officers,” Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. (R-Robeson) said. “Our state law enforcement agencies do incredible work morning, noon, and night, and this proposal doubles down on our support for them.”
“Our state law enforcement agencies play a vital role in supporting our local agencies in their times of need,” Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke) said. “It’s imperative that the General Assembly send a strong message to our law enforcement agencies that we’ve got their backs and value their dedication to keeping us safe.”
“Our support for law enforcement officers goes far beyond just when they’re on the force,” Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson) said. “For those that make the ultimate sacrifice, we’re going to ensure that their loved ones are taken care of and their memory is never forgotten.”
