Call Your NC Legislators to Oppose the Bad and Ugly Bills - Updated 24 April 2025
We are continuing to highlight the BAD AND UGLY bills from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: A Look into What is Coming Out of the NCGA! Please contact your NC House and/or Senate Members about these bills! (Find your legislators here: https://www.ncleg.gov/findyourlegislators.) Remember: If you are calling about a bill with "SB" or Senate Bill, call your SENATE member. If you are calling about a bill with "HB" or House Bill, call your HOUSE member. Sometimes, you will need to contact both. If there is a House version and a Senate version of the bill, chances are it is more likely to pass this session! To read any of these or other bills, use this lookup form.
HB-72/SB-58: AG/Restrict Challenge to the Presidential Executive Orders
HB-402: NC REINS Act - Will take away rule-making power from experts in state agencies, giving it to NCGA.
HB-636: Promoting Wholesome Content - A book-banning bill
HB-66: Reduce Early Voting Period
HB-127: Voter Registration Drive Form - Aims to ban voter registration drives.
HB-5/SB-50: NC Constitutional Carry Act - Will allow any US citizen 18+ to carry a concealed handgun without permit or training.
HB-9: Firearm Discharge/Preempt Local Ordinance - Will prevent local governments from prohibiting firearm discharge on private property.
HB-38: Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act - Will prohibit tracking firearm sales or firearm registries.
HB-553: Ensuring Patient Safety with Mail Order Meds - Will limit the access to safe, effective reproductive health medications.
HB-804: Human Life Protection Act of 2025 - One of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country.
HB-171/SB-228: Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI
SB-153: NC Border Protection Act - Forces the Department of State and other State Agencies to cooperate more closely with federal immigration authorities (ICE).
SB-389: Add Home Schools to Opportunity Scholarships - Will divert funds away from public schools.
HB-319: Funds for Hispanic Grassroots - Will divert funds away from public schools.
HB-62: Farmers Protection Act - Ignores climate change and protects the fossil fuel industry.
HB-636: They call it “promoting wholesome content”; we call it a book-banning bill
What it would do:
Would impose a complicated system of censorship committees to approve all library books in every public school in the state.
Background:
Under the bill, every single elementary, middle, and high school must now appoint a "Library Advisory Committee" made up of both staff and parent volunteers. That committee will be empowered to review, scrutinize, and investigate all library books, as well as all materials whatsoever available at events like the Book Fair, to decide if they are "appropriate."
And if the school declines to ban the book? House Bill 636 gives ANY resident of that county - not just parents! - the right to sue the school for thousands of dollars, plus legal fees.
This bill is not just over-broad, but it also adds a huge amount of bureaucratic time and hassle to school staff, who are already overburdened and underpaid.
Script:
This bill is nothing more than another attack on LGBT people and their right to exist. It is billed as being “anti-pornography” but we can see right through it. It is censorship, it is erasure. And while the bill’s sponsors say it is supposed to protect parental rights, it actually infringes upon them because it would allow other parents to decide what my children can and cannot read. Please vote no on HB-636.
HB-62: Farmers Protection Act
What it would do:
Originally proposed by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and billed as an act to protect farmers from banks and credit unions that use discriminatory practices against farmers, this bill is actually quite sinister. This bill would keep banks from making funding decisions for loans based on climate change implications. This leads the way to encroaching on funding decisions based on climate change from banks in the private sector.
Background:
NC Newsline: NC House committee approves bill that targets socially responsible lending in agriculture
Script:
HB-62 does nothing to protect farmers. It uses legislation to strong arm banks and credit unions into ignoring climate change and will only protect the fossil fuel industry. This bill actually hurts state agriculture by preventing agriculture from evolving to address the realities of an increasingly difficult farming climate.
HB-72/SB-58: AG/Restrict Challenge to the Presidential EOs
This has been passed by the NC Senate! It has NOT been passed by the NC House!
What it would do:
This bill would prohibit the Attorney General from challenging Presidential Executive Orders. We should all oppose HB-72 and SB-58, which would prohibit Attorney General Jeff Jackson from protecting North Carolinians from executive orders that violate the Constitution and halt federal funding already approved by Congress. Our State Government – including the Attorney General - should protect us from federal overreach and our Attorney General should not be blocked from challenging executive orders that would cause widespread and immediate harm across our state.
Background:
ACLU of NC: Restricting Powers of the Attorney General
Advance Carolina: SB-58 and HB-72 Threaten Democracy and Voting Rights in NC
Script:
Attorney General Jeff Jackson received the majority of the votes in November 2024. North Carolinians knew when they elected him that he would be in charge of protecting us from federal overreach that violates the U.S. Constitution. The Attorney General has a responsibility to defend the rights of North Carolinians, including from political attacks. A healthy democracy requires checks and balances to prevent the consolidation of power. Limiting the office's ability to oppose politicians puts partisan politics over the interests of the people. Please vote NO on HB-72/SB-58!
HB-319: Funds for Hispanic Grassroots
What it would do:
Provide a grant of $500,000 to a single entity to provide “educational outreach services” to the Hispanic community in North Carolina, in particular to encourage their use of “Opportunity Scholarships” (i.e. publicly-funded private school vouchers).
Background:
HB319 would give $500,000 to the founder of Hispanos Del Sur for "education outreach" to the Hispanic community. The "education outreach" means promoting school vouchers for religious schools, distributing partisan voter guides, and knocking on doors to promote the Republican agenda. The single person who runs Hispanos Del Sur is well connected with the Republican establishment in Raleigh that is basically handing him a bucket of cash without oversight or accountability. Call your representative and tell them NO on using your tax dollars for partisan politics that takes more funds away from public schools.
Script:
This bill does not provide any accountability in the use of $500,000 by a non-profit that is made up of just one guy. This is a glaring example of patronage and cronyism. Also, our taxpayers’ dollars are used to fund public schools, but are also being used to tell parents not to use them. This is illogical and unacceptable! We still have yet to fund the Leandro Decision, so starving our public schools – where the vast majority of North Carolina’s children get their education – is against the interests of our state and its citizens. Please vote NO on HB-319!
HB-66: Reduce Early Voting Period
What it would do:
This bill would decrease the number of Early Voting days. One party (the Republican Party) has made it clear that they are anti-democracy. This is just another glaring example of that. We should oppose HB-66. If enacted, this would eliminate 11 days of early voting, including 2 Saturdays and both Sundays under current law. This is nothing but another attempt to disenfranchise voters by making it harder for North Carolinians to access the polls.
Background:
LWVNC President Interviewed on the Impact of NC House Bill 66 Seeking to Slash Early Voting Period
WXII: North Carolina GOP lawmakers propose shortening early voting period
Script:
We should be giving all North Carolinians more opportunities to exercise their right to vote, NOT LESS! HB-66 would make it more difficult for North Carolinians working 2-3 jobs and juggling all of the responsibilities to make ends meet to get to the polls. Our goal should always be to increase the opportunities for folks to get involved in democracy! This does not fit with the society that we are trying to build - allowing everyone to participate in the democratic process. Please vote NO on HB-66!
HB-127: Voter Registration Drive Form
What it would do:
This bill is an extremist voter suppression measure. It criminalizes any direct voter registration by individuals or organizations, discourages voters from registering, and requires organizations to file with the State before they can hand out even the officially-permitted “informational” forms. This bill forces organizations wanting to hold voter registration drives to register with the state and describe the details of the organization wanting to host voter registration drives. HB-127 clearly violates the free speech provisions of the U.S. and North Carolina constitutions. It is straight out of the old Jim Crow rulebook.
Background:
WXII: North Carolina House Bill 127 aims to ban voter registration drives
NC Newsline: NC lawmakers should make registering to vote easier, not harder
Script:
We should be giving all North Carolinians more opportunities to exercise their right to vote, NOT LESS! HB-127 would make it more difficult for North Carolinians to register to vote and severely limit their ability to participate in our democracy. Our goal should always be to increase the opportunities for folks to get involved in democracy! These types of voter registration drives are a staple of nonpartisan civic involvement efforts by groups like the League of Women Voters and You Can Vote. Please vote NO on HB-127!
HB-402: NC REINS Act
What it would do:
This bill would hinder the establishment of various rules, including those that determine environmental regulations in North Carolina. This will make it difficult for agencies to write rules, which have traditionally been given the authority to carry out laws. Americans for Prosperity and the John Locke Foundation are both pushing this legislation, which should give you some idea of the underlying motivation for the bill. There is a federal version of this bill pending as well.
Background:
The News & Observer: NC could be latest state to change who makes the rules. Why health officials are concerned
Just Security: Why the REINS Act’s Approach to Regulatory Reform Is So Problematic - This also discusses the Federal version pending in the U.S. House that contains similar verbiage.
Script:
HB-402 will make it difficult for state administrative agencies to carry out laws. Traditionally, the Executive Branch is allowed to make rules to carry out laws passed by the General Assembly. This would take away the rule-making power from experts in state agencies, shifting power traditionally held by the Executive Branch to the General Assembly. This will hinder the process and effectively halt the execution of a whole host of laws. Please vote NO on HB-402!
HB-5/SB-50: NC Constitutional Carry Act
This has been passed by the NC Senate! It has NOT been passed by the NC House!
What it would do:
These bills would allow any US citizen 18 or older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit or any kind of training.
Background:
NC Newsline: North Carolina Senate passes bill allowing permitless carry of concealed handguns
The Daily Tar Heel: NC Republicans introduce bills to remove concealed carry permit
Script:
Guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens. Therefore, allowing more unfettered, untrained access to firearms will put our children and teens at greater risk. All of us deserve the freedom to go about our daily activities without the constant worry about mass shootings. This bill - removing any limitations in obtaining a concealed carry permit, including required training - would put North Carolinians at risk of gun injuries and death. This is a very dangerous bill and will make North Carolina into the wild west. Please vote NO on HB-5 and SB-50!
HB-9: Firearm Discharge/Preempt Local Ordinance
What it would do:
This bill would prevent local governments from prohibiting firearm discharge on private property. This is classic overreach by the state government.
Background:
Carolina Public Press: What we’re watching: These bills from NC lawmakers could go the distance
Script:
The state legislature has no business telling local municipalities what firearm legislation they can and cannot pass. Local leaders – including mayors and police chiefs – know best how to address criminal activity in their cities. The smaller plots in cities make it more dangerous to discharge firearms, as the population density makes it more likely that someone will inadvertently get injured. Bullets do not stop at a property line! Call your State House Member and encourage them to vote NO on HB-9.
HB-38: Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act
What it would do:
This bill would prohibit tracking firearm sales or firearm registries. This would restrict credit card companies from using codes to track who is purchasing firearms.
Background:
Carolina Public Press: What we’re watching: These bills from NC lawmakers could go the distance
Script:
Firearms do not always stay with their original owners. It is helpful to track who firearms are sold to in order to help fight crime. This is particularly important in the realm of domestic violence. This will make us LESS safe by preventing the tracking of firearms sales. Please vote NO on HB-38.
HB-171/SB-228: Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI
**Please call both your State House Member and your State Senator on this one!**
What it would do:
Although the Senate version appears to apply to schools, the one filed in the House forces any State Agency or any non-profit that accepts State Money to NOT "promote, support, fund, implement or maintain workplace DEI programs, policies, or initiatives.
Background:
NC Newsline: NC House Republican lawmaker introduces bill to remove DEI from NC government
North State Journal: Legislation would end DEI in state agencies, local governments
Script:
These bills fail to acknowledge the history of North Carolina and how certain populations have been treated for centuries. The implications are not well-defined in the bill, similar to the Presidential EO and its effects. This would haphazardly remove any references to our diverse history, marginalized communities including people of color as well as women. We are a “state of firsts” - first in flight, first state university system, etc. We need to be celebrating this and highlighting our diversity rather than stifling it. This is really an anti-American bill that removes any reference to the diverse nation that we have become and our overall desire to be a more equitable nation. Please vote NO on HB-171/SB-228!
SB-153: NC Border Protection Act
What it would do:
This forces the Department of State and other State Agencies to cooperate more closely with federal immigration authorities. It would require that state agencies like the Department of Public Safety and Highway Patrol enter into agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to assist with immigration enforcement. It would also require state law enforcement agencies to determine the immigration status of anyone in their custody and it would force audits of public benefit programs to ensure they are not providing services to undocumented immigrants (despite federal law that already bars participation by undocumented individuals).
Background:
NC Newsline: NC Senate committee approves “Border Protection Act” targeting unauthorized immigrants
The Daily Tar Heel: NC Republicans file bill requiring state to comply with federal immigration law
Script:
These types of bills historically make communities LESS safe by discouraging immigrants, who might be here legally, from calling local law enforcement with concerns of robberies, domestic violence, or other distressing situations. This puts the lives of women and children at risk and will lead to increased violence in communities. The likely end result is that U.S. citizens will have reduced access to essential services. Please vote NO on SB-153!
SB-389: Add Home Schools to Opportunity Scholarships
What it would do:
This would expand the availability of state funds to pay for homeschooling costs. As with the Opportunity Scholarships, there is a complete lack of regulation on the strength or content of the curricula used for homeschooling.
Background:
UNC School of Government Legislative Reporting Services: Add Homeschools Opportunity Scholarship
Script:
Parents have a right to educate their children wherever they decide to educate them. But citizens have a right to know that there is going to be a solid, traditional public school for parents to educate their children. This bill would direct additional money into unregulated religious curriculums across the state. We still have yet to fund the Leandro Decision, so starving our public schools (where the vast majority of North Carolina’s children get their education) is against the interests of our state and its citizens. Please vote NO on SB-389!
HB-553: Ensuring Patient Safety with Mail Order Meds
What it would do:
This bill is another example of a topic at the national level being filed by party leaders who are trying to gin up the GOP base. This is similar to bills being filed across the country to limit the access to safe, effective reproductive health medications which can be taken and managed in patients’ homes. The bill would require all of the following: (1) at least 72 hours before mailing, providing, or supplying the drug, a qualified physician or professional informs the pregnant woman, in person, of the information contained in the consent to a medical abortion, (2) all informed consent requirements are satisfied pertaining to the probable gestational age of the unborn child, and (3) the drug must be FDA approved.
Background:
UNC School of Government Legislative Reporting Service: Ensuring Patient Safety with Mail Order Meds
Healio News: Similar safety, success with mail-order telehealth, in-person abortion medication care
Script:
Mifepristone and misoprostol have a proven safety record spanning well over two decades. They are safe to be used at home when used during the appropriate time during a pregnancy to provide private, effective family planning. The government has no business getting between a patient and their healthcare provider in deciding what is right for their own health. In addition, there is no public appetite for further limiting reproductive rights in North Carolina, with a plurality of voters agreeing that the limits in place are too restrictive as they are. Please vote NO on HB-553 to keep the government out of our reproductive decisions!
HB-804: Human Life Protection Act of 2025
What it would do:
North Carolina effectively has a 12-week abortion ban that was passed in 2023 after Tricia Cotham (R-Mecklenberg) switched parties and gave the NC GOP a supermajority. This bill would only allow abortions if the woman would die without it (mental health is strictly banned in the bill as a reason for performing an abortion). This bill would make it a felony to perform an abortion with a lifetime sentence for performing one.
Background:
CBS17: North Carolina Republicans file one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country
Abortion, Everyday Substack: North Carolina Proposes Total Abortion Ban
Script:
North Carolina already has a very restrictive abortion ban in place, one that already goes far beyond what North Carolinians feel is appropriate. It does not allow women and their doctors to make healthcare decisions, as many women would not even know that they are pregnant at the time of the ban. This will lead to worsening maternal morbidity and mortality. It will also worsen the status of maternal care in the state, as it has been shown that obstetricians tend to avoid states that restrict reproductive care. Please vote NO on HB-804 to keep the government out of our reproductive decisions!