North Carolina House approves awareness, flag and local de‑annexation measures; sends several bills to Senate

Riding a largely noncontroversial calendar on April 7, 2025, the North Carolina House of Representatives approved several bills on second and third reading and referred dozens more to committee, including a measure to raise awareness of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and a requirement that flags bought by the state and localities be made in the United States.

Why it matters: The House moved several technical and ceremonial measures toward final passage while advancing many bills to committee. The actions affect local governments (de‑annexations and an occupancy tax), state purchasing preferences, and public health awareness efforts.

Representative Gillespie of Macon told colleagues that House Bill 160, titled in the reading as the Joel H. Chris Sutton SUDEP Awareness Act, is intended to raise awareness of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The House recorded 113 affirmative votes and none opposed on the bill’s second reading; clerks later reported the bill passed third reading and was ordered sent to the Senate.

Representative Goodwin defended House Bill 227, a measure the clerk read as directing that flags purchased in North Carolina be made in North Carolina and U.S. flags be made in the United States. “What this means is the flags that we buy in North Carolina will be made in North Carolina. And if we buy U.S. flags, they will be made in the United States of America,” Representative Goodwin said on the floor. The House recorded 113 affirmative votes and none in the negative; House Bill 227 was passed and ordered sent to the Senate.

The House also handled a set of local de‑annexation bills — including House Bill 26 (Town of Madison annexation matter), House Bill 63 (town of Andrews de‑annexation) and House Bill 147 (Elizabeth City and Kinston de‑annexations) — in a grouped, block vote. Representative Pirtle said his bill was “at the request of the town of Madison, a unanimous request.” The block vote passed on second reading by a recorded vote of 109 to 5; clerks said those bills will remain on the calendar for further action tomorrow.

Separately, Representative Humphrey presented House Bill 143, a local measure to create a 6% occupancy tax in Maysville, in Jones County. Humphrey said the town has six rooms and the tax “will generate about $10,000 a year for a small town in rural North Carolina.” The House recorded 110 ayes and 3 nays on second reading; the bill will remain on the calendar.

The House also received and filed numerous committee reports and referred many bills to committees including Rules, Finance, Health, Judiciary and Transportation. Several bills were read for the first time and sent to Rules; others were placed on unfavorable calendars or re‑referred to additional committees per committee report motions read aloud by clerks.

Before adjourning, the House granted a courtesy recognition to Mi Familia in Action and its civic engagement director, Axel Herrera, and recorded the day’s committee meeting notices. Representative Bell moved to adjourn; the motion, seconded by Representative Jones, carried and the House adjourned to reconvene April 8 at 1 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 160 (Joel H. Chris Sutton SUDEP Awareness Act): Second‑reading vote 113–0; passed third reading and ordered sent to the Senate (recorded by clerk). Representative Gillespie spoke in favor.

- House Bill 227 (US and NC flags made in the USA): Second‑reading vote 113–0; passed third reading and ordered sent to the Senate. Representative Goodwin spoke in favor.

- Block vote — House Bills 26, 63 and 147 (local de‑annexations): Second‑reading block vote 109–5; clerks said the bills will remain on the calendar for tomorrow. Representative Pirtle noted local requests.

- House Bill 143 (Maysville occupancy tax, 6%): Second‑reading vote 110–3; will remain on the calendar. Representative Humphrey estimated about $10,000 in annual revenue for the town.

Other actions and highlights

- The House read dozens of bills by title, received committee reports, and referred many measures to Rules, Finance, Health, Judiciary and Transportation. Several committee substitutes were reported as favorable and then re‑referred; others were placed on unfavorable calendars for later action.

- Courtesy recognition: Mi Familia in Action and civic engagement director Axel Herrera were recognized in the gallery.

The session adjourned with the House to reconvene on Wednesday, April 8 at 1 p.m., subject to the standard stipulation under House rules.