All Roll Calls
Yes: 200 • No: 3
North CarolinaSB 1242025-2026 SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO STATE EMPLOYMENT.
Sponsored By: Kevin Corbin (Republican), Todd Johnson (Republican), Michael V. Lee (Republican)
Signed by Governor
ADMINISTRATIVE CODEADMINISTRATIVE RULESARMED FORCESCOMMISSIONSEDUCATIONEMPLOYMENTINFORMATION TECHNOLOGYINTERNETNOTIFICATIONPERSONNELPRESENTEDPROFESSIONAL EDUCATIONPUBLICRATIFIEDREPORTINGREPORTSSALARIES & BENEFITSSTATE EMPLOYEESTITLE CHANGEVETERANSCHAPTEREDELECTRONIC GOVERNMENTNATIONAL GUARDGOVERNMENT EMPLOYEESHUMAN RESOURCES COMN
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Quicker state hiring from temps and pools
Beginning June 25, 2025, agencies can hire temporary staff straight into open permanent jobs. The temp must have at least six months of similar work with good performance, meet the minimum requirements, and fit the pay range. The OSHR Director can waive the education/experience and pay‑range rules for these conversions. Agencies can also hire from a prior “most qualified” pool without reposting, if the person meets the new job’s minimums and pay range. These hires skip many posting and interview steps but still follow merit and anti‑political‑hiring rules in G.S. 126‑14, 126‑14.1, 126‑14.5 and Articles 6 and 7.
Fewer degree barriers for state jobs
The State Human Resources Commission reviews job requirements each year. It uses experience or training in place of a four‑year degree when it fits the job. It removes unnecessary degree language where possible. The Commission starts annual reports on these changes on October 1, 2025.
Local bonuses and veteran hiring preference
Local governments may offer sign‑on and retention bonuses to covered employees, following the State’s bonus policy. They may also give a hiring preference to eligible veterans and National Guard members for covered jobs. These tools apply to positions under Chapter 126 and take effect June 25, 2025.
More agency flexibility on jobs and pay
Beginning July 1, 2025, agencies can recruit across all open jobs in a job class and consider applicants for future openings. They can classify or reclassify jobs when workers meet the minimum requirements. They can set pay within the salary ranges set by the State Human Resources Commission. These changes do not reduce SHRC or OSHR authority.
Simpler state job postings and applications
For postings on or after June 25, 2025, only the class minimums count as essential. Extra items are preferences, not must‑haves. If a posting adds more than five extra skills, the agency head must approve it. Each posting needs a closing date unless SHRC or OSHR approved a critical‑job exception; past exceptions stay unless the agency ends them. By November 1, 2025, applicants can upload a resume or profile and import it into the State application, and applicants must check that the imported info is correct.
New performance reviews replace old rules
When this law takes effect, the State’s old performance management rules are repealed. OSHR must design an improved review process. With the Governor’s approval, the SHRC adopts the new policy by March 15, 2026. The new system may change how evaluations and promotions work.
Faster human resources updates and planning
The SHRC must change or repeal its rules to match this law and may use temporary rulemaking. Job classifications, qualifications, salaries, and personnel policies that affect only applicants or employees are not treated as formal rules, so updates can happen faster. The law also adjusts which Chapter 126 rules do not apply to some managers and wardens. By March 15, 2026, OSHR sends lawmakers a plan to modernize Chapter 126.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Kevin Corbin
Republican • Senate
Todd Johnson
Republican • Senate
Michael V. Lee
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Gale Adcock
Democratic • Senate
W. Ted Alexander
Republican • Senate
Bob Brinson
Republican • Senate
Jr. Danny Earl Britt
Republican • Senate
Jim Burgin
Republican • Senate
Sophia Chitlik
Democratic • Senate
Carl Ford
Republican • Senate
Amy S. Galey
Republican • Senate
Lisa Grafstein
Democratic • Senate
Bobby Hanig
Republican • Senate
Ralph Hise
Republican • Senate
Mark Hollo
Republican • Senate
Dana Jones
Republican • Senate
Jarrod Lowery
Republican • House
Julie Mayfield
Democratic • Senate
Tom McInnis
Republican • Senate
Mujtaba A. Mohammed
Democratic • Senate
Brad Overcash
Republican • Senate
DeAndrea Salvador
Democratic • Senate
Eddie D. Settle
Republican • Senate
Joyce Waddell
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 6/24/2025
SB 124: State Hiring Accessibility and Modernization.
Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 5
House vote • 6/17/2025
SB 124: State Hiring Accessibility and Modernization.
Yes: 110 • No: 3 • Other: 7
Senate vote • 4/3/2025
SB 124: Reduce Barriers to State Employment.
Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 4
Actions Timeline
Ch. SL 2025-34
7/1/2025SenateSigned by Gov. 7/1/2025
7/1/2025SenatePres. To Gov. 6/26/2025
6/26/2025SenateRatified
6/25/2025SenateOrdered Enrolled
6/24/2025SenateConcurred In H Com Sub
6/24/2025SenatePlaced on Today's Calendar
6/24/2025SenateWithdrawn From Com
6/24/2025SenateRef To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
6/18/2025SenateSpecial Message Received For Concurrence in H Com Sub
6/18/2025SenateSpecial Message Sent To Senate
6/18/2025HousePassed 3rd Reading
6/17/2025HousePassed 2nd Reading
6/17/2025HouseAdded to Calendar
6/17/2025HouseCal Pursuant Rule 36(b)
6/17/2025HouseReptd Fav
6/17/2025HouseRe-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
6/10/2025HouseReptd Fav Com Substitute
6/10/2025HouseRe-ref to the Com on State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
5/29/2025HouseWithdrawn From Com
5/29/2025HouseRef To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
4/8/2025HousePassed 1st Reading
4/8/2025HouseRegular Message Received From Senate
4/7/2025HouseRegular Message Sent To House
4/7/2025SenatePassed 3rd Reading
4/3/2025Senate
Bill Text
Edition 1
Edition 2
Edition 3
Filed
Latest Edition
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