Bill introduced in North Carolina Senate aims to limit use of Rocky Mount electric system revenue

State Sen. Lisa S. Barnes has introduced legislation that would restrict Rocky Mount’s electric system revenues to covering system costs or reducing customer rates, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The measure, known as SB 1076 and filed on May 5 during the 2025 regular session, carries the short title: ‘Rocky Mount/Limit Electric Power Revenue Uses.’

The details, as outlined in our breakdown of the actual bill text, may contain interpretation to clarify its provisions.

Effectively, this bill restricts Rocky Mount to spending municipal electric system funds solely on direct or indirect system expenses, lowering electric bills, or paying electric system debt. Transfers from the electric utility to any non-utility fund or purpose are prohibited unless state law expressly permits, removing the authority to treat surplus revenues as a general rate of return. The bill’s provisions are specific to Rocky Mount and are set to become effective July 1, 2026.

Among the three sponsors backing this bill, Timothy D. Moffitt introduced the largest number of bills—79—during the 2025 regular session.

North Carolina bills follow a multi-step process before potentially becoming law. After a lawmaker files a bill, it is reviewed by a committee, read three times in both legislative chambers, and amended as necessary. Both chambers must agree to identical text before the bill is forwarded to the governor, who may sign, veto, or allow it to become law—generally within 10 days, or 30 if the legislature is not in session.

Find further details about related bills and measures here.

Barnes holds an AA from Peace College and a BA from North Carolina State University, earning the latter in 1988.

Barnes, a Republican, began serving the 11th district in the North Carolina State Senate in 2021, succeeding Rick Horner.