Amends GS 14-208.7 by adding the following new subsections:

(1)   Subsection (e). Except as provided in subsection (f), mandates that each person required to register under GS 14-208.7 pay an annual fee equal to 1.25% of the current federal poverty level guidelines for a one-person household published by the US Department of Health and Human Services to support local responsibilities required by Article 27A. Designates sheriff to whom a registrant returns their verification each year to collect the fee. Clarifies that failure to pay will not impact a registrant’s ability to otherwise comply with the requirements of this Part (Sex Offender and Public Registration Program). Permits the county to seek collection of unpaid annual fees as a claimant agency under GS Chapter 105A. Requires the sheriff's office that collected the fee to retain the proceeds to supplement local funds provided to the sheriff’s office. Prohibits any registrant from being required to pay the fee more than once in a calendar year.

(2)   Subsection (f). Requires each sheriff to determine if the annual fee required by subsection (e) will be collected within that sheriff's county by January 1 of each year. Once that decision is made, it will be the decision for the county for the remainder of that calendar year even if the person holding the sheriff's office changes. If no determination is made, the sheriff must collect the annual fee.

(3)   Subsection (g). If a registrant request is made, the sheriff required to collect the annual fee, or their designee, must determine if the registrant is indigent and, if so, may waive all or part of the fee. Details procedural requirements for the determination and documentation required by the sheriff’s office. Requires a registrant to make this request each calendar year they would like this review and requires a new determination and record by the sheriff, or designee, upon each request.

(4)   Subsection (h). Makes clear that any registrant who is either incarcerated or under the supervision of the Department of Adult Correction, Division of Community Supervision and Reentry, at the time the annual fee would otherwise be collected, must be deemed indigent by the sheriff, or designee, and must not be assessed the annual fee. Requires this determination be made each year, recorded in writing, and retained by the sheriff’s office with the registrant’s records. 

Effective January 1, 2026.