Enacts Article 12I, “Retired First Responder Canine Veterinary Care Reimbursements” to GS Chapter 143, to provide a system of veterinary care reimbursement for retired first responder canines in consideration of the hazardous public service they provided to the people of this State. Defines correctional agency, covered first responder unit (any correctional agency, fire departments, or law enforcement agency), fire department, law enforcement agency, retired first responder canine, and veterinary care. 

Adds new GS 143-166.94 to provide for up to $1,500 in reimbursement per year for veterinary care for a retired first responder canine provided in the State Fiscal year the application for reimbursement is submitted. Requires that the owner must seek reimbursement within 90 days of the date of the veterinary care received by the retired first responder canine. Sets out six conditions under which an application for reimbursement can be denied. Requires in new GS 143-166.92 that the covered first responder unit register the canine with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) upon its retirement and by providing DPS with the specified information so that the canine’s new owner can be eligible for reimbursement of veterinary care as specified in the act. Provides for a certification issued by DPS to be provided by the covered first responder unit to the canine’s new owner.

Creates the Retired First Responder Canine Fund (Fund) in DPS in new GS 143-166.95. Requires in new GS 143-166.93 that the new owner register the canine with DPS so that the owner can be listed by DPS as the approved Fund recipient.  

Allows DPS to make necessary rules for the administration of the provisions of new Article 12I, and have the authority to use up to 1% of monies received by the Fund for the purpose of administering the Fund. Specifies that all of DPS’s decisions necessary for the administration of the Article, and its decisions, are final and conclusive and not subject to review or reversal except by the DPS Secretary or the Secretary's designee. Adds new GS 143-166.96, requiring DPS to keep records of applications received, application determinations, and all funds dispersed. Specifies that the personal identifying information (i.e., name, address, and telephone number) of a retired first responder canine’s owner is not a public record.

Adds new GS 143-166.98, specifying that the benefits provided above don’t affect other benefits for retired first responder canines and that the benefits provided above are not affected by the provision of other benefits to retired first responder canines.

Amends GS 17F-21 (disposition of retired service animals) to specify that the statute does not prevent the owner of a retired first responder canine from applying for reimbursement for veterinary care for a retired first responder canine under new Article 12I. Makes conforming change to GS 150B-1(e) (exemptions from APA’s contested case provisions) to reflect finality of DPS decisions, and GS 150B-1(d) (exemption from rulemaking).

Allows a first responder unit to register a first responder canine that retired on or after July 1, 2024 with DPS for purposes of establishing the eligibility requirements in GS 143-166.92, described above. 

Appropriates $400,000 from the General Fund to the Fund in recurring funds for 2025-26 to be used in accordance with the provisions of the act.

Effective 45 days after the act becomes law.