A new bill introduced in the North Carolina House of Representatives is aiming to increase the state’s minimum wage significantly over the next few years.
House Bill 353, known as the “Fair Minimum Wage Act”, was filed on Monday by State Representatives Allison Dahl (D-District 11), Aisha Dew (D-District 111), Bryan Cohn (D-District 32), and Marcia Morey (D-District 30). The bill proposes a gradual increase in the state’s minimum wage, with the goal of providing fairer compensation for hourly workers.
If passed, the bill would raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour for all hourly wage employees in North Carolina, starting January 1, 2026. Following that, the bill would mandate annual increases of $2 per hour each year, until the wage reaches a fairer level that reflects the cost of living and inflation.
“Beginning September 30, 2030, and on each September 30 thereafter, the Commissioner of Labor shall calculate an adjusted minimum wage rate indexed to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (All 29 Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average for All Items), CPI-I, or its successor index, as calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor for the 12-month period preceding the previous September 1,” the bill reads. “Each adjusted minimum wage rate calculated shall be published on September 30 and take effect on the following January 1.”
In addition to the wage increase, the bill also addresses the issue of wage theft. It outlines stricter penalties for employers who fail to pay employees the required minimum wage, ensuring that workers are compensated fairly for their labor.
Currently, North Carolina’s minimum wage is set at the federal level of $7.25 per hour, which is also the rate for tipped employees, who can make less than the standard minimum wage under federal guidelines.
This proposed legislation has sparked debates across the state, with proponents arguing that it will help reduce economic inequality, while opponents worry about potential impacts on businesses.
