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--- version:Edition 1
+++ version:Filed
@@ -1,51 +1,55 @@
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
 SESSION 2025
-S 1
-SENATE BILL 819
+S D
+SENATE BILL DRS15388-MH-117
 
 Short Title: Authorize First Broad River State Trail. (Public)
 Sponsors: Senator Alexander (Primary Sponsor).
-Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
-April 23, 2026
-*S819-v-1*
+Referred to:
+
+*DRS15388-MH-117*
 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
 AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE FIRST BROAD RIVER STATE TRAIL. 2
 Whereas, the First Broad River has rich cultural, historical, natural, economic, and 3
-recreational value to the people of Cleveland and Rutherford Counties as well as all of North  4
+recreational value to the people of Cleveland and Rutherford Counties  as well as all of  North 4
 Carolina's citizens; and 5
 Whereas, the First Broad River is the central defining geological feature in Cleveland 6
 County, entering the county in its northwest corner and continuing south through Shelby before 7
 joining the Broad River just above the South Carolina state line; and 8
 Whereas, the headwaters of the First Broad River extend into the 22,000 acre South 9
 Mountains Game Lands and surrounding South Mountains State Park. The 17,800 acre Rollins 10
-Tract within the South Mountains Game Lands was one of the lar gest conservation acquisitions 11
+Tract within the South Mountains Game Lands was one of the largest conservation acquisitions 11
 in North Carolina history and encompasses areas categorized as a nationally significant natural 12
 area by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Trust Fund; and 13
-Whereas, plant species like hemlock, mountain laurel, and rhododendro n typically 14
-found only at higher elevations of western North Carolina are prevalent throughout the river 15
+Whereas, plant species like hemlock, mountain laurel, and rhododendron  typically 14
+found only at higher elevations  of western North Carolina  are prevalent throughout the river 15
 basin; and 16
 Whereas, the scenic, historic, and recreation resources of the First Broad River can be 17
-accessed within an hour or less of travel time from the Charlotte, North Carolina, and the 18
-Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, metropolitan areas, and thus would attract outdoor 19
+accessed within an hour or less  of travel time from the Charlotte, North Carolina , and the 18
+Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina , metropolitan areas , and thus would attract outdoor 19
 enthusiasts from these two rapidly growing metropolitan regions with a combined population of 20
-over 3.5 million, helping grow t he outdoor and tourism economy of Cleveland and Rutherford 21
+over 3.5 million, helping grow the outdoor and tourism economy of Cleveland and Rutherford 21
 Counties; and 22
 Whereas, the First Broad River, spanning more than 65 miles and connecting the 23
 communities of Golden Valley, Moriah, Delight, Lawndale, Zion, and Shelby, has only four 24
-public access p oints and the establishment of a State Trail would provide focus and greater 25
+public access points and the establishment of a State Trail would provide focus and greater 25
 funding opportunities to increase the number of access points along the River; and 26
 Whereas, Cleveland and Rutherford Counties and the local governments in those 27
-counties are alrea dy making sizable investments to enhance outdoor recreation, such as the 28
+counties are  already making sizable investments to enhance outdoor recreation, such as the 28
 Stagecoach Greenway and the Broad River Greenway. These investments provide recreation for 29
-the citizens of the area and attract tourism from surrounding areas, which creates enhanced 30
-opportunities for local businesses providing recreational services, such as tubing trip providers 31
+the citizens of the area and attract tourism from surrounding areas , which  creates enhanced 30
+opportunities for local businesses providing recreational services, such as tubing  trip providers 31
 and shuttle services for paddlers; Now, therefore, 32
 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 33
 SECTION 1.(a)  The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Natural and 34
-Cultural Resources to add the First Broad River Trail in Cleveland and Rutherford Counties 35
-between the River's head of navigation in Golden Valley in Rutherford County and the River's 36
+Cultural Resources to add the First Broad River Trail in Cleveland and Rutherford Counties  35
+between the River's head of navigation in Golden Valley in Rutherford County  and the River's 36
+FILED SENATE
+Apr 22, 2026
+S.B. 819
+PRINCIPAL CLERK
 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
-Page 2  Senate Bill 819-First Edition
+Page 2  DRS15388-MH-117
 confluence with the Broad River in Cleveland County to the State Parks System as a State Trail, 1
 as provided in G.S. 143B-135.54(b). 2
 SECTION 1.(b)  The Department shall support, promote, encourage, and facilitate 3
@@ -53,14 +57,14 @@
 and private landowners. On segments of those State Trails that cross property controlled by 5
 agencies or owners other than the Department's Division of Parks and Recreation, the laws, rules, 6
 and policies of those agencies or owners shall govern the use of the property. 7
-SECTION 1.(c)   The requirement of G.S.  143B-135.54(b) that additions be 8
+SECTION 1.(c)   The requirement of G.S. 143B-135.54(b) that additions be 8
 accompanied by adequate appropriations for land acquisition, development, and operations shall 9
-not apply to the authorizat ion set forth in this section; provided, however, that the State may 10
+not apply to the authorization set forth in this section; provided, however, that the State may 10
 receive donations of appropriate land and may purchase other needed lands for the First Broad 11
-River State Trail with existing funds in the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, the Complete  12
+River State Trail with existing funds in the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, the Complete 12
 the Trails Fund, the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, the federal Land and Water Conservation 13
 Fund, and other available sources of funding. 14
-SECTION 2.   There is appropriated the sum of twenty -five thousand dollars 15
+SECTION 2.  There is appropriated the sum of twenty -five thousand dollars 15
 ($25,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to the Department of Natural and 16
 Cultural Resources for public education and system planning efforts related to the authorization 17
 of the First Broad River Trail by this act. 18