Amends GS 7A-133 to split the district court judicial district 43 into district 43A, containing Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon, and Swain counties, and district 43B, containing, Haywood, and Jackson counties, and assigning four district court judges to each of the new districts by allocating the seven existing district court judges and hiring one additional new judge. Elections in 2026 must be held so that this change is effective January 1, 2027.

Appropriates $253,001 in recurring funds and $10,376 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 year to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to hire an additional district court judge as required by the new districts.

Appropriates $7,421 in recurring funds from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 year to AOC for the judge selected as chief district court judge of district 43B.

Appropriates $71,932 in recurring funds and $3,436 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 year to AOC for one full-time judicial assistant for district 43B.

Appropriations for the district court are effective July 1, 2026.

Amends GS 7A-498.7(a) to split the existing defender district 43 into defender district 43A, containing Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon, and Swain counties, and defender district 43B, containing Haywood and Jackson counties.

Appropriates $228,461 in recurring funds and $4,895 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 year to AOC Office of Indigent Defense Services to hire a chief public defender for defender district 43B.

Appropriates $424,488 in recurring funds and $14,685 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2026-2027 year to AOC Office of Indigent Defense Services to hire three full-time assistant public defenders for defender district 43B.

Changes and appropriations for the defender districts are effective July 1, 2026.