Action at the Capitol This Week (5/5-5/9): NC Legislature Hits Bill Crossover Deadline
261 House and 103 Senate bills successfully crossed over and will now be taken up by the opposite chamber. A key measure targeting local development fell Short.
Holly Springs, NC, May 11, 2025 — This week marked a major milestone in the 2025 North Carolina General Assembly session, as lawmakers hit the official “crossover” deadline on May 8, signaling which bills remain alive for consideration in the months ahead.
The current session began on January 8 and runs through 2026. Under NC legislative rules, most bills must pass either the House or the Senate by the crossover date to remain eligible for further debate. Exceptions exist for budget, tax, and redistricting legislation, which are not subject to the rule.
By Thursday’s deadline, 261 House and 103 Senate bills had successfully crossed over and will now be taken up by the opposite chamber. Lawmakers are expected to focus on those bills and the state budget ahead of the session’s targeted adjournment on July 31.
To help South Wake residents navigate what’s next, Holly Springs Update has published a curated list below of the most potentially impactful legislation for the area. Categories include bills affecting Wake County Public School students and bills with broader local implications, ranging from taxes and infrastructure to housing and public health.
Here are links to all House and Senate bills making the crossover deadline:
Top 5 Local Impact Bills for Wake County & Holly Springs
HB 352 – Holly Springs/Fuquay-Varina Exempt Contracts
Summary: This bill allows the towns of Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina to bypass competitive bidding requirements for public infrastructure projects, expediting roads and utilities.
HB 432 – Property Tax Relief Study
Summary: Commissions a study on expanding property tax relief programs for low-income, elderly, and disabled residents, including veterans, potentially easing financial strain on homeowners.
HB 283 – Small Business Investment Grant Program
Summary: Establishes a grant program within the One North Carolina Fund to support small business growth and job creation, helping drive local economic development.
HB 48 – Increase Unemployment Insurance (UI) Max Benefit/2025 UI Tax Credit
Summary: This bill increases unemployment insurance benefits and introduces a tax credit for employers, supporting workforce security and business recovery in Wake County.
SB 271 – Permitted Trade Practices/Insurance Rebates
Summary: This bill legalizes insurance rebates and discounts for consumers, helping reduce costs and promote competitive pricing across insurance markets.
Top 5 Impactful Bills for Wake County Public School Students
SB 579 – Transforming the High School Experience
Summary: This bill establishes the North Carolina High School Redesign Commission to explore and recommend changes to high school education. The bill includes implementing competency-based learning programs and creating personalized pathways for students to achieve graduation requirements.
SB 630 – School Mental Health Support Act
Summary: This bill allocates funding to expand school-based mental health services, including hiring additional counselors and psychologists. It aims to address students' growing mental health needs across the state.
SB 636 – School Psychologist Omnibus
Summary: Aims to increase the number of school psychologists by streamlining licensure requirements and providing incentives for professionals to work in public schools. This initiative seeks to improve student access to psychological services.
SB 55 – Student Use of Wireless Communication Devices
Summary: Public school districts must establish policies prohibiting using wireless communication devices, such as cellphones, during instructional time. Exceptions are made for educational purposes authorized by a teacher.
HB 106 – Revive High-Need Retired Teachers Program
Summary: This bill allows retired teachers to return to work full-time in schools with performance grades of "D" or "F" without affecting their retirement benefits. The bill aims to address teacher shortages and improve educational outcomes in underperforming schools.
Key Bill Misses Deadline But Could Still Advance
Prior Holly Springs Update coverage: NC Bill Could Strip Towns of Development Control, Apex Calls It 'Reckless and Ridiculous'
One notable bill, House Bill 765, known as the “Save the American Dream Act,” failed to meet the May 8 crossover deadline. Despite missing the cutoff, the bill remains in play. On May 6, it was re-referred to the House Committee on Finance. If it receives a favorable report, it will proceed to the House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations for further consideration.
HB 765 proposes sweeping changes to how towns and counties manage development approvals. It would require local governments to approve or deny most residential and commercial development applications within 90 days or automatically approve them by default. The bill also prohibits municipalities from enforcing residential design standards such as exterior appearance, parking, and sidewalk placement unless the property lies within a designated historic district.
Local officials across the state have raised concerns that the measure could strip towns of essential tools for managing growth, public safety, and infrastructure planning. HB 765’s future will depend on whether it gains momentum in committee during the remainder of the session.
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.