Action at the Capitol Last Week (5/12 - 5/16)
An overview of legislative activity in the General Assembly between May 12 and May 16, 2025. Ten Bills actioned on by the House. Ten Bills actioned on by the Senate.
Holly Springs, NC, May 20, 2025 — The week of May 12th at the North Carolina General Assembly saw lawmakers advance several high-impact bills affecting Wake County and the state. The Senate passed its proposed state budget (SB 257), moving it to the House for consideration, while the House enacted technical budget corrections through HB 74, now law as Session Law 2025-4.
Local election reforms in Cabarrus County (HB 271) cleared committee, and a bill adjusting DA appointment rules (HB 478) was rerouted for further review. Meanwhile, the Parents Protection Act (HB 560), which addresses gender-related custody concerns, remains pending after a prior committee vote.
Voter access and licensing reforms also moved. HB 834 would allow sportsmen to register to vote when applying for licenses, and HB 737 proposes removing mandatory training courses for insurance producers. Both remain in committee. HB 821, which delays the expiration of certain driver’s licenses, was filed and awaits debate.
In the Senate, several gubernatorial appointments await confirmation, including Christopher Ayers (SJR 764) to the Utilities Commission’s Public Staff, Regina Adams (SJR 765) to the Board of Review, and Kenneth Goodman (SJR 768) to the Industrial Commission. Nominations for department secretaries, Reid Wilson at DEQ (SR 766) and Leslie Dismukes at Adult Corrections (SR 767), were also introduced.
Agriculture reform gained momentum with the NC Farm Act (SB 639) advancing through committee, tackling zoning, feral swine, and raw milk access.
Most of these measures, particularly those involving state funding, judicial processes, and executive appointments, directly affect Wake County’s families, workers, and infrastructure.
Note: Each bill is summarized below with a link to further information.
Bills acted on in the House.
Bill: HB 74
Short Title: House Budget Technical Corrections
Sponsor: Representative Lambeth
Action Date: May 15, 2025
Action: Chaptered into law as Session Law 2025-4 on May 15, 2025.
Bill Summary: This act extends grant deadlines, corrects administrative provisions related to disaster recovery, and clarifies existing budget-related legislation.
Bill: Link
Bill: HB 271
Short Title: Cabarrus Co Local Omnibus
Sponsor: Representative Echevarria
Action Date: May 13, 2025
Action: Reported favorably by Committee Substitute (House Committee).
Bill Summary: This bill proposes referendums in municipalities across Cabarrus County to decide whether to change local elections from nonpartisan to partisan. It also revises procedures for filling vacancies on the county commissioners’ board.
Bill: Link
Bill: HB 478
Short Title: Modify Appointment Process for DA Vacancies
Sponsor: Representative Balkcom
Action Date: May 13, 2025
Action: Re-referred to the House State and Local Government Committee.
Bill Summary: This bill updates the process for appointing a new district attorney when a vacancy occurs. The Governor must consult with the political party of the outgoing DA and follow new rules depending on the remaining term length.
Bill: Link
Bill: HB 560
Short Title: Parents Protection Act
Sponsor: Representative Loftis
Action Date: May 2, 2023
Action: Reported favorably from House Committee and added to House calendar.
Bill Summary: Protects parents from being considered neglectful for raising a juvenile according to biological sex and prohibits adoption agencies from denying placement based on unwillingness to support gender transition.
Bill: Link
Bill: HB 821
Short Title: Driver’s License Expiration Moratorium
Sponsor: Representative Adams
Action Date: April 8, 2025
Action: Filed in the House.
Bill Summary: Extends the valid term of non‑REAL ID driver licenses due to expire, keeping them valid until December 31, 2027. This delays renewals and temporarily reduces Highway Fund revenue, though the impact balances over time.
Bill: Link
Bill: HB 834
Short Title: Sportsman's Voter Act
Sponsor: Representatives Almond, N. Jackson, Huneycutt
Action Date: April 10, 2025
Action: Referred to the House Committee on Election Law, and then to Rules, Calendar, and Operations.
Bill Summary: Requires license applicants for hunting or fishing to be given the opportunity to register to vote and join the organ donor registry. If applying online, applicants can request a mailed voter registration form.
Bill: Link
Bill: SB 257
Short Title: 2025 Appropriations Act
Sponsor: Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee
Action Date: May 15, 2025
Action: Withdrawn from committee (House); subsequently passed to second reading on House floor.
Bill Summary: Establishes the biennial state budget for 2025–2027, funding priorities in education, health, transportation, public safety, and more, along with detailed appropriations and reserves.
Bill: Link
Bill: SJR 763
Short Title: Confirm Don van der Vaart to the Utilities Commission
Sponsor: Senator Rabon
Action Date: May 6, 2025
Action: Referred to Rules and Operations of the Senate.
Bill Summary: Confirms the Governor’s nomination of Don van der Vaart as a North Carolina Utilities Commission member for a term from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2031.
Bill: Link
Bill: SJR 764
Short Title: Confirm Christopher Ayers as Exec. Director
Sponsor: Senator Rabon
Action Date: May 6, 2025
Action: Referred to Rules and Operations of the Senate.
Bill Summary: Confirms Christopher J. Ayers for reappointment as Executive Director of the Public Staff of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2031.
Bill: Link
Bill: SJR 765
Short Title: Confirm Regina Adams to the Board of Review
Sponsor: Senator Rabon
Action Date: May 6, 2025
Action: Referred to Rules and Operations of the Senate.
Bill Summary: This bill confirms Regina Smith Adams as the employees' representative to the North Carolina Board of Review for a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2029.
Bill: Link
Bills acted on in the Senate.
Bill: HB 271
Short Title: Cabarrus Co Local Omnibus
Sponsor: Representative Echevarria
Action Date: May 13, 2025
Action: Reported favorably by Committee Substitute (House Committee).
Bill Summary: This bill proposes referendums in municipalities across Cabarrus County to decide whether to change local elections from nonpartisan to partisan. It also revises procedures for filling vacancies on the county commissioners’ board.
Bill: Link
Bill: HB 737
Short Title: Licensing Course Removal/Insurance Producers
Sponsor: Representatives Humphrey and Balkcom
Action Date: April 3, 2025
Action: Referred to House Insurance Committee.
Bill Summary: This bill eliminates mandatory training course requirements for individuals applying to become licensed insurance producers in North Carolina. It ensures applicants are not required to complete specific courses to obtain licensure.
Bill: Link
Bill: HB 834
Short Title: Sportsman's Voter Act
Sponsor: Representatives Almond, N. Jackson, Huneycutt
Action Date: April 10, 2025
Action: Referred to the House Committee on Election Law, and then to Rules, Calendar, and Operations.
Bill Summary: License applicants for hunting or fishing are required to be allowed to register to vote and join the organ donor registry. If applying online, applicants can request a mailed voter registration form.
Bill: Link
Bill: SB 639
Short Title: North Carolina Farm Act of 2025
Sponsor: Not listed (Committee substitutes adopted)
Action Date: May 7, 2025
Action: Favorable Committee Substitute Adopted in Finance Committee.
Bill Summary: This bill makes broad updates to agricultural laws, including water infrastructure, feral swine control, zoning for agricultural land, composting regulations, and new rules for cervids. It also affects school absence rules, penalties for crop theft, and other regulatory changes.
Bill: Link
Bill: SJR 763
Short Title: Confirm Don van der Vaart to the Utilities Commission
Sponsor: Senator Rabon
Action Date: May 6, 2025
Action: Referred to Rules and Operations of the Senate.
Bill Summary: Confirms the Governor’s nomination of Don van der Vaart as a North Carolina Utilities Commission member for a term from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2031.
Bill: Link
Bill: SJR 764
Short Title: Confirm Christopher Ayers as Exec. Director
Sponsor: Senator Rabon
Action Date: May 6, 2025
Action: Referred to Rules and Operations of the Senate.
Bill Summary: Confirms Christopher J. Ayers for reappointment as Executive Director of the Public Staff of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2031.
Bill: Link
Bill: SJR 765
Short Title: Confirm Regina Adams to the Board of Review
Sponsor: Senator Rabon
Action Date: May 6, 2025
Action: Referred to Rules and Operations of the Senate.
Bill Summary: This bill confirms Regina Smith Adams as the employees' representative to the North Carolina Board of Review for a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2029.
Bill: Link
Bill: SR 766
Short Title: Confirm D. Reid Wilson as DEQ Secretary
Sponsor: Senator Rabon
Action Date: May 13, 2025
Action: Referred to Senate Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee.
Bill Summary: The Senate considers whether to confirm D. Reid Wilson as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, as nominated by the Governor.
Bill: Link
Bill: SR 767
Short Title: Confirm Leslie Dismukes as DAC Secretary
Sponsor: Senator Rabon
Action Date: May 13, 2025
Action: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.
Bill Summary: The Senate is considering whether to confirm Leslie Cooley Dismukes as the governor's nominee for Secretary of the Department of Adult Corrections.
Bill: Link
Bill: SJR 768
Short Title: Confirm Kenneth Goodman to the Industrial Commission
Sponsor: Senator Rabon
Action Date: May 13, 2025
Action: Referred to Senate Commerce and Insurance Committee.
Bill Summary: Confirms Kenneth L. Goodman’s reappointment to the North Carolina Industrial Commission for a term beginning May 1, 2025, and ending April 30, 2031.
Bill: Link
Got something to say about these or other bills?
As of the 2025–2026 legislative session, the North Carolina General Assembly members representing Holly Springs and Apex are:
North Carolina House of Representatives
District 36: Julie von Haefen (Democrat)
Represents parts of Apex, Cary, and Holly Springs.
Email: Julie.vonHaefen@ncleg.gov
District 37: Erin Paré (Republican)
Represents Holly Springs and parts of southern Wake County.
Email: Erin.Pare@ncleg.gov
North Carolina Senate
District 17: Sydney Batch (Democrat)
Represents portions of Wake County, including Holly Springs and Apex.
Email: Sydney.Batch@ncleg.gov
District 13: Lisa Grafstein (Democrat)
Represents parts of southern Wake County, including portions of Raleigh.
Email: Lisa.Grafstein@ncleg.gov
You can use the NC General Assembly's Find Your Legislators tool to confirm your specific representatives based on your address.