Governor Stein Signs Key Bipartisan Measures Into Law; Gun and Immigration Bills Await Action

Six new laws modernize pension fund oversight, support law enforcement veterans and adoptive families, improve access to social services, and update rules for state’s natural and cultural resources.

Photo courtesy of the official office of Governor Josh Stein

Raleigh, NC, Jun. 18, 2025 — Governor Josh Stein (official website) signed six bipartisan bills into law last Friday and is weighing action on three others that could significantly reshape gun rights and immigration enforcement in North Carolina.

The newly signed laws modernize pension fund oversight, support law enforcement veterans and adoptive families, improve access to social services, and update rules for the state’s natural and cultural resources. Meanwhile, three bills—addressing concealed carry rights and immigration detainment—remain on the governor’s desk, awaiting either his signature, veto, or inaction that would allow them to become law automatically later this week.

Below is a breakdown of each measure, explained in layman's terms, with examples and the most commonly cited pros and cons.

---

✅ Laws Signed by Governor Stein (June 13, 2025)

HB 506 – State Investment Modernization Act (link to Bill)

What it does: Creates a five-member board—called the North Carolina Investment Authority—to oversee the state’s $127 billion retirement funds, replacing sole control by the Treasurer.
Example: A retired teacher’s pension is now managed by a professional board with investment expertise rather than just one elected official.
Pros:

• Improves governance and accountability

• Adds financial expertise to oversight

• Aligns NC with national best practices
  Cons:

• Diffuses accountability

• Risks of politicization of board appointments

• May slow decision-making

Governor Stein praised this measure as a step forward in securing retiree futures, stating:

“Our pension fund belongs to our public servants who earned their retirement – teachers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers – and we owe it to them to make sure their money is invested wisely and prudently.”

HB 50 – LEO Special Separation Allowance (link to Bill)

What it does: Allows state and local law enforcement officers with at least 30 years of service to collect a special allowance if they retire before age 62.
Example: A 57-year-old trooper retiring after three decades can now receive a state allowance in addition to retirement benefits.
Pros:

• Encourages timely retirement

• Honors long service

• Helps avoid burnout
  Cons:

• Possible staff shortages

• Adds cost to the retirement system

• Reduces workforce availability

HB 231 – Social Work Licensure Compact (link to Bill)

What it does: It lets social workers licensed in other states who join the compact work in North Carolina without reapplying.
Example: A licensed Georgia social worker can immediately begin providing care in NC after a hurricane displaces families.
Pros:

• Addresses staffing shortages

• Aids crisis response

• Supports mobile and military families
  Cons:

• Harder to track misconduct across states

• Licensing standards may vary

• Loss of local licensing revenue

Governor Stein emphasized the law’s importance in closing service gaps for vulnerable populations, saying:

“Our social workers support children, families, and communities, and they are needed now more than ever. This law will expand access to care to more people by allowing social workers from certain other states to more easily transfer their licenses to North Carolina.”

HB 477 – Retirement Death Benefits Rewrite (link to Bill)

What it does: Streamlines and updates how death benefits are managed for retirees in public pension systems.
Example: A deceased state employee’s spouse can more easily access survivor benefits under the new standardized system.
Pros:

• Improves clarity and access

• Ensures proper funding

• Unifies multiple systems
  Cons:

• Implementation could cause short-term confusion

• Doesn’t expand benefits

• Some administrative complexity

SB 248 – Birth Certificates for Adoptees (link to Bill)

What it does: Makes adopted individuals’ birth certificates look the same as those who weren’t adopted, with no reference to the adoption.
Example: An adult adoptee’s official birth certificate now lists adoptive parents as if they were birth parents.
Pros:

• Promotes equality for adoptees

• Reduces stigma

• Simplifies legal documents
  Cons:

• Hides biological origins

• May concern birth families

• Potential for identity misuse

SB 477 – DNCR Agency Bill (link to Bill)

What it does: Updates Department of Natural and Cultural Resources operations by protecting sensitive ecological data, extending land leases, and ensuring school groups get free entry.
Example: The department signs a 40-year lease with the federal government for Falls Lake while shielding rare plant locations from public access to prevent poaching.
Pros:

• Enhances species protection

• Streamlines museum and park operations

• Expands access for school visits
  Cons:

• Limits transparency on protected areas

• Less legislative oversight on leases

• Broadens agency authority over public sites

---

🕒 Awaiting Governor’s Signature or Veto

SB 50 – Permitless Concealed Carry (link to Bill)

What it does: Allows anyone 18+ to carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training, unless otherwise prohibited.
Example: A 19-year-old can carry a hidden handgun in public without a permit or safety class.
Pros:

• Reinforces Second Amendment rights

• Cuts bureaucratic red tape

• Expands self-defense options
  Cons:

• Removes training safeguards

• Raises public safety concerns

• Complicates law enforcement interactions

Status: Ratified; Stein has indicated he may veto the bill.

SB 153 – NC Border Protection Act (link to Bill)

What it does: Mandates state cooperation with ICE, limits state aid to undocumented immigrants, and bans “sanctuary” policies on UNC campuses.
Example: A university may not adopt a policy that discourages employees from working with federal immigration agents.
Pros:

• Enhances border enforcement

• Prevents aid to undocumented residents

• Establishes statewide legal consistency
  Cons:

• May hurt immigrant communities

• Raises civil rights concerns

• Adds pressure to local law enforcement

Status: Ratified; the governor has not announced a decision.

HB 318 – Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act (link to Bill)

What it does: Requires jails to detain individuals with ICE holds for 48 hours and notify ICE two hours before their scheduled release.
Example: A suspect with a DWI and ICE detainer is kept in jail after posting bail until ICE has a chance to pick them up.
Pros:

• Strengthens cooperation with federal agents

• Targets undocumented individuals charged with crimes

• Creates uniform jail procedures
  Cons:

• May delay justice for low-level offenses

• Raises due process and liability issues

• Increases jail operating costs

Status: Ratified; awaiting governor’s decision.

Governor Stein has until roughly June 21 to sign or veto the pending measures. If he takes no action, they will become law automatically. Republicans in the legislature currently lack a supermajority in the House, meaning any veto could potentially be sustained unless a Democrat votes in favor.

---

Contact NC elected officials serving Holly Springs and Apex:

🏛️ North Carolina House of Representatives

Maria Cervania (Democrat) – District 41
📧 Email: Maria.Cervania@ncleg.gov

Erin Paré (Republican) – District 37
📧 Email: Erin.Pare@ncleg.gov

Julie von Haefen (Democrat) – District 36
📧 Email: Julie.vonHaefen@ncleg.gov

🏛️ North Carolina Senate

Gale Adcock (Democrat) – District 16
📧 Email: Gale.Adcock@ncleg.gov

Sydney Batch (Democrat) – District 17
📧 Email: Sydney.Batch@ncleg.gov

Lisa Grafstein (Democrat) – District 13
📧 Email: Lisa.Grafstein@ncleg.gov