The North Carolina House of Representatives reconvened on Tuesday, July 29 to override several bills that Governor Josh Stein vetoed earlier this month. Republicans in the House are one vote shy of a veto-proof supermajority, so successful overrides required at least on Democrat to cross the aisle in that chamber.
House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, was elected to be Speaker in November, taking the gavel just seven months ago. Hall, 38, follows former NC House Speaker, now Congressman Tim Moore, who led the chamber for a decade.
The House will meet again on Wednesday morning to consider more veto overrides and a mini-budget proposal.
Below is a rundown of bills that originated in the NC House and were overridden on Tuesday:
HB 193: Firearm Law Revisions
HB 193 allows certain employees at non-public schools to carry a firearm or stun gun on school grounds. Citing safety concerns, Gov. Stein vetoed the bill on July 9.
Despite some debate, the House overrode the veto in a 72–48 vote. Supporters of the bill emphasized its alignment with Second Amendment rights, while opponents called it dangerous.
Rep. McNeely, R-Iredell, introduced the bill.
“This is a good common sense bill that talks about your Second Amendment rights and private property rights, and I hope you’ll support it,” said McNeely.
Representative Laura Budd, D-Mecklenburg, said this bill “does not provide anything other than tragedy.”
She went on to say it is not a God-given or constitutional right to possess a gun, drawing applause and shouting from the public gallery. NC House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, stopped her from continuing.
“There are no comments to be made from members of the gallery,” said Hall. “If there are other comments, the chair is going to clear the gallery.”
He emphasized the importance of respectful debate.
“The purpose of this room is for the members elected by the people of the state to debate the bill,” he said, emphasizing that there would be no tolerance of interruption.
“There’s members on both sides of the issue, and when you try to shut them down, you’re saying your voice is more important than the voice of the 11 million people of this state.”
HB 318: The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement ACt
HB 318 tightens the timeline for law enforcement to alert ICE before releasing a suspect identified as an illegal immigrant.
The House voted to override the veto 72–48, with notable comments from Representative Carla Cunningham, D-Mecklenburg, who began her remarks by highlighting her ancestral background.
“I am an ADOS (African Descendant of Slaves), a black American, and an American,” she said.
“I support House Bill 318 because it’s time for my unapologetic truth to be shared,” she said, adding that her concerns go beyond immigration numbers.
“It’s not just the numbers of immigrants that matter, but where they come from and the culture they bring,” she said. “Some come and refuse to adapt, but they must assimilate and respect the laws of the country they wish to live in.”
Cunningham also said the U.S. has been “more tolerant than other countries” on illegal immigration.
“We’ve been naive, exploited, and abused [by illegal immigrants],” she said. She concluded by reinforcing her support for the bill.
“It’s time to adopt migration policies that reflect today’s realities and protect our communities,” said Cunningham.
Representative Marcia Morey, D-Durham, who voted against the bill, responded to Cunningham’s remarks.
“I’m going to be the first to say that this is not my country—this is our country,” she said. “Native Americans, African Americans, immigrants—we have all built this country.”
She explained her opposition to the bill.
“But what does this bill do? It denies that immigrants are an essential part of our community, our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends, our family,” said Morey.
HB 402: Limit Rules with substantial financial costs
HB 402, formerly known as the REINS Act, would require greater legislative scrutiny for rules that impose high financial costs on state businesses and residents. The House voted to override this bill by a vote of 73-47.
Representative Bell, R-Wayne, introduced the bill, asking again for bipartisan support of the legislation.
“This is just giving the people what they expect from their government—which is accountability and a voice at the table when we’re debating rules that are going to impact their life every day,” said Bell.
Representative Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, opposed the bill.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the House, I know you are sick of hearing me talk about this bill,” she said, citing concerns over public welfare.
“This is a really critical limitation on our state agencies’ ability to protect public health, safety, and welfare,” said Harrison. “It’s going to make it very difficult to pass any rules stricter than what the federal government has in place.”
She concluded her remarks by saying the bill raises constitutional concerns.
“I do want you to understand that this has a significant impact, and we shouldn’t take this so cavalierly. I urge you to vote no on this bill,” said Harrison.
Donald Bryson, CEO of the John Locke Foundation, celebrated the override in a press release.
“With this override, North Carolina takes a bold step toward restoring balance and accountability in state government,” said Bryson.
HB 549: Clarify Powers of the State Auditor
HB 549 would give the auditor broader access to state agencies’ databases, digital records, facilities, and property. Gov. Stein vetoed the bill, calling this kind of power “intrusive.”
The House voted to override the veto by a vote of 72-48.
State Auditor Dave Boliek celebrated the House’s vote to override in a press release.
“House Bill 549 protects the independence of the State Auditor’s Office and enhances our ability to create a more effective, efficient, and accountable government,” said Boliek.
HB 805: Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Women and Minors
HB 805 defines sex in state law based on biological attributes and bars K-12 schools from placing male and female students in the same sleeping quarters. It also prohibits state funds for gender-transition procedures in correctional facilities and increases the statute of limitations on lawsuits for transition surgeries to 10 years.
Gov. Stein vetoed the bill, calling it “divisive” and “mean spirited.”
“My faith teaches me that we are all children of God, no matter our differences, and that it is wrong to target vulnerable people, as this legislation does,” Stein said in his veto message.
Representative Neal Jackson, R-Moore, called for support of the bill.
“I urge my colleagues to override the veto of HB 805 to safeguard our daughters,” he said.
Representative Laura Budd, D-Mecklenburg, called on the history of the bill to emphasize her opposition.
“This bill unanimously passed the House in the beginning,” she said. “Everybody liked it because it did one thing—it protected women and children and everybody else from sexual predators.”
She noted the changes that the NC Senate made to the bill, including the provisions regarding defining two biological sexes.
“The Senate warped it, wrapping it in culture war policies, and sent it back to the House with a smile,” said Budd.
She concluded her remarks by saying the legislation was created based on personal beliefs.
“When we decide we are going to legislate based on our personal morality, we have to understand two things happen: one, it demonstrates a profound lack of respect for someone else with a differing set of principles and values; and two, the collateral damage is demonstrably cruel,” she said.
The House voted to override Stein’s veto by a vote of 72-48.
Key vetoed bills that originated in the Senate were also overridden by lawmakers in both chambers. Find more coverage here.
The post From the floor: NC House votes to override Stein vetoes first appeared on Carolina Journal.