What NC lawmakers did in their 2025 session, at a glance

Good morning and welcome to Under the Dome. I’m Ronni Butts with your update on North Carolina politics.

President Donald Trump’s flagship spending bill, the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” passed the U.S. House on Thursday afternoon. Trump is set to sign it into law this morning, a huge win for the administration’s agenda.

The bill passed on a 218-214 vote, with only two Republicans joining the Democrats in voting “no.” Though two Republican representatives from North Carolina said Wednesday they had been wary about the bill, they were swayed to vote yes.

You can read what North Carolina lawmakers said to explain their votes in this story from Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi.

Congressional Republicans are done with their biggest legislative priority. But North Carolina lawmakers have taken a break without passing a state budget, the main purpose of their 2025 session. The General Assembly did do other work, though.

WHAT YOU MIGHT’VE MISSED IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SO FAR

Here’s a list of some of the important legislation that came out of the General Assembly so far this session. To learn more, read our extensive article rounding up bills that passed, and some that stalled.

• Helene relief: Lawmakers passed a relief bill as they neared their weeks-long break. The bill placed hundreds of millions of dollars in a Helene reserve fund and allocated some for improvements like infrastructure and crop recovery.

• ICE cooperation: Gov. Josh Stein vetoed two pieces of legislation that would require more cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including by state law enforcement. It remains to be seen if lawmakers will override Stein’s vetoes.

• Gun laws: Lawmakers passed a bill that would allow permitless, concealed carry of a handgun and would reduce the age requirement for firearm purchase to 18. But Stein vetoed this bill as well.

• DMV: North Carolinians can now use their expired driver’s licenses up to two years past the expiration date. The two-year moratorium will last until 2027.

• Public records: Autopsy records may be removed from public record at the discretion of district attorneys. The bill is awaiting Stein’s action.

• Diversity, equity and inclusion: Stein vetoed three bills that target DEI initiatives at schools and in government programs and hiring processes.

• Transgender rights: A bill that would bar gender transition care funded by the government in state prisons was also vetoed by Stein this week. The bill makes a host of other changes, and it led to heated, partisan discourse in both chambers.

• K-12 education: Students in K-12 schools will be banned from using cellphones during instructional time next school year.

• State auditor: Dave Boliek, North Carolina’s state auditor, could receive additional authority to investigate private entities — an extension of his power to investigate government. But Stein vetoed the measure.

• Pharmaceutical drugs: As part of new regulations on middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers, consumers can now choose their pharmacy without penalty. This bill awaits Stein’s action after receiving unanimous support.

• Law enforcement: Lawmakers, also with unanimous support, agreed to make it easier for law enforcement officers to get a key retirement benefit.

• DWI prevention: Lawmakers sent a bill to Stein that would expand the use of ignition locks.

Our roundup story also includes the efforts that failed or are still in question. Here are some of those topics:

• Wake County highway: A plan to block a potential toll road in Wake County was included in one budget proposal.

• JetZero: If the budget passes, millions of dollars could go to prepare a site for a factory promised by aviation start-up JetZero. The company says that it can draw over 14,000 jobs to Greensboro’s airport.

• Research support: Lawmakers have proposed cuts to NCInnovation, a nonprofit that previously received $500 million in public funding but has yet to use all of the money.

• Health care: Senators and House representatives couldn’t agree on restrictions on the practice of prior authorization in health insurance, causing health care legislation to be tabled.

• Medicaid: Funding has lapsed for the Healthy Opportunities Pilots that provide nonmedical support like food and transportation as part of Medicaid.

• State-sanctioned gambling: Legislation allowing more casinos never resurfaced this year. But changes were proposed to sports betting, like higher tax rates and potential tax deductions on gambling losses.

• Cannabis: Members of the House sought to make the sale of hemp products to anyone under 21 illegal. But the Senate made an effort to effectively ban most hemp products.

• “Shrimpgate”: A bill that would have altered the regulations for North Carolina shrimpers by banning shrimp trawling within a half-mile off the coast sparked controversy and drew hundreds to the General Assembly to protest.

Today’s newsletter was by Ronni Butts. Check your inbox Friday for more #ncpol.

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This story was originally published July 4, 2025 at 6:00 AM.