All Roll Calls
Yes: 419 • No: 13
North CarolinaHB 2512025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF POLITICAL AFFILIATION IN THE PROVISION OF STATE DISASTER RECOVERY ASSISTANCE.
Sponsored By: Jennifer Balkcom (Republican), IV John R. Bell (Republican), Dudley Greene (Republican), Kelly E. Hastings (Republican)
Signed by Governor
ADMINISTRATIVE CODEADMINISTRATIVE RULESAGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE DEPT
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger penalties for looting in emergencies
Starting December 1, 2025, entering another person’s property in an emergency area is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Stealing, damaging, or destroying property there is a felony. It is a Class F felony if the property is temporary housing or taken from it, and a Class H felony otherwise. Victims can sue for three times actual damages plus costs and attorney fees. The law also lets more officials declare emergencies and defines temporary housing to include tents, trailers, mobile homes, and vehicles used for living.
No politics in state disaster aid
The State cannot deny disaster recovery help because of your political views or speech. This covers U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and qualified noncitizens. Starting December 1, 2025, a knowing violation is a Class I felony. For State emergency assistance grants, you do not have to give personal demographic details unless needed to award the grant or required by law.
Rebuild in floodplain after Helene agreement
If the State and FEMA sign an agreement, owners of lawfully built structures damaged by Helene in certain Western NC counties can rebuild in the base floodplain. Rebuilding must be to the same or smaller size and follow the agreement’s terms. The option begins only when the agreement starts and ends three years later unless it is extended or ended sooner by the agreement.
Downtown businesses reuse pre-Helene window ratings
In Helene-affected counties, owners of eligible downtown commercial buildings can restore with the same fire-rated windows the building had on September 27, 2024. Work must only restore the prior use and size, with no expansion or occupancy change. You must file a notarized affidavit with your permit and claim the exemption within two years of the law’s effective date. You assume the risk, and the government is not liable.
Easier permits to turn debris into mulch
In Helene-designated counties, some State and local permits are waived for turning tree stumps and vegetative debris into mulch, compost, or soil amendment. You must give at least 10 days’ written notice with required details. Each site is capped at 25,000 cubic yards, mulch depth is limited to 4 inches, and all materials must be removed by July 1, 2027. This section ends on July 1, 2027.
Send debris to compost when cheaper
Local governments in Helene-designated counties must take vegetative debris to a composting site for reuse when that total cost is equal to or less than landfill costs. State environmental and agriculture agencies must help when they assist with removal. This requirement ends July 1, 2027.
State hospital rules match federal waivers
When HHS or CMS issues a temporary federal waiver for hospitals, matching State hospital rules automatically change to stay consistent. The State change lasts at least until the federal waiver ends. This keeps hospital operations and patient care aligned during emergencies.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Jennifer Balkcom
Republican • House
IV John R. Bell
Republican • House
Dudley Greene
Republican • House
Kelly E. Hastings
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Eric Ager
Democratic • House
Jonathan L. Almond
Republican • House
Hugh Blackwell
Republican • House
John M. Blust
Republican • House
Jerry "Alan" Branson
Republican • House
William D. Brisson
Republican • House
Celeste C. Cairns
Republican • House
Todd Carver
Republican • House
Tricia Ann Cotham
Republican • House
Jimmy Dixon
Republican • House
Blair Eddins
Republican • House
Todd Johnson
Republican • Senate
Keith Kidwell
Republican • House
Ya Liu
Democratic • House
John L. Lowery
Republican • House
Jr. Howard Penny
Republican • House
Stephen M. Ross
Republican • House
Paul Scott
Republican • House
Brian Turner
Democratic • House
Steve Tyson
Republican • House
Bill Ward
Republican • House
Donna McDowell White
Republican • House
Shelly Willingham
Democratic • House
David Willis
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/17/2025
HB 251: Various Disaster Recovery Reforms.
Yes: 113 • No: 1 • Other: 6
Senate vote • 6/10/2025
HB 251: Various Disaster Recovery Reforms.
Yes: 42 • No: 1 • Other: 7
Senate vote • 6/10/2025
HB 251: Various Disaster Recovery Reforms.
Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 7
House vote • 4/1/2025
HB 251: Disaster Response Funding/Nondiscrimination.
Yes: 106 • No: 10 • Other: 4
House vote • 4/1/2025
HB 251: Disaster Response Funding/Nondiscrimination.
Yes: 115 • No: 1 • Other: 4
Actions Timeline
Ch. SL 2025-18
6/26/2025HouseSigned by Gov. 6/26/2025
6/26/2025HousePres. To Gov. 6/19/2025
6/19/2025HouseRatified
6/18/2025HouseOrdered Enrolled
6/17/2025HouseConcurred In S Com Sub
6/17/2025HousePlaced On Cal For 06/17/2025
6/12/2025HouseCal Pursuant 36(b)
6/12/2025HouseRegular Message Received For Concurrence in S Com Sub
6/11/2025HouseRegular Message Sent To House
6/11/2025SenateEngrossed
6/10/2025SenatePassed 3rd Reading
6/10/2025SenatePassed 2nd Reading
6/10/2025SenateAmend Adopted A1
6/10/2025SenatePlaced On Cal For 06/10/2025
6/3/2025SenateWithdrawn From Cal
6/3/2025SenateReptd Fav
6/2/2025SenateRe-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
5/21/2025SenateCom Substitute Adopted
5/21/2025SenateReptd Fav Com Substitute
5/21/2025SenateRe-ref to Regulatory Reform. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
5/19/2025SenateWithdrawn From Com
5/19/2025SenateRef To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
4/3/2025SenatePassed 1st Reading
4/3/2025SenateRegular Message Received From House
4/3/2025Senate
Bill Text
Edition 1
Edition 2
Edition 3
Edition 4
Edition 5
Edition 6
Filed
Latest Edition
Related Bills
HB 696 — AN ACT TO PROMOTE HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER TRANSPARENCY THROUGH ADVERTISEMENT REQUIREMENTS.
SB 449 — AN ACT TO REQUIRE ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND CONSTITUENT INSTITUTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA TO REQUIRE MINIMUM CONSIDERATIONS ON TECHNOLOGY COSTS AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO REPORT ON BREAK/FIX RATE.
HB 926 — AN ACT TO PROVIDE FURTHER REGULATORY RELIEF TO THE CITIZENS OF NORTH CAROLINA.
HB 307 — AN ACT TO MODIFY TIME LIMITS ON MOTIONS FOR APPROPRIATE RELIEF IN NONCAPITAL CASES; TO PLACE XYLAZINE AND KRATOM ON THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE SCHEDULES; TO CREATE A NEW CRIMINAL OFFENSE FOR EXPOSING A CHILD TO A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE; TO REQUIRE RECORDATION OF ALL CRIMINAL MATTERS IN DISTRICT COURT AND ESTABLISH WHEN THOSE RECORDS MAY BE DISCLOSED; TO REVISE LAWS PERTAINING TO THE DISCLOSURE AND RELEASE OF AUTOPSY INFORMATION COMPILED OR PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER; TO REVISE THE LAW GOVERNING THE GRANTING OF IMMUNITY TO WITNESSES; AND TO CLARIFY THE STANDING OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS IN CERTAIN CASES.
HB 358 — AN ACT TO MAINTAIN NAIC ACCREDITATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE BY IMPLEMENTING GROUP CAPITAL CALCULATION AND LIQUIDITY STRESS TEST REQUIREMENTS AND TO MAKE VARIOUS CONFORMING CHANGES, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.
SB 55 — AN ACT TO REQUIRE REGULATION OF STUDENT USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME.