North Carolina 2021-2022 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 21 R · 3 D cosponsors

HB 7 — Protect City Employees From Retaliation.

Last action — Withdrawn From Cal

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2021-2022 Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

35 added · 45 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill HB 7 includes additional language that emphasizes the importance of addressing gross mismanagement. Specifically, it highlights the issues of public money being wasted and the abuse of authority. These changes matter because they strengthen the accountability standards for government activities, making it clearer that such behaviors are unacceptable and could lead to increased scrutiny and responsibility from public officials.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2021 H 2 HOUSE BILL 7 Committee Substitute Favorable 2/23/21 Short Title:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2021 H 1 HOUSE BILL 7 Short Title:
Representatives Hanig, Bradford, and Hardister (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
January 28, 2021 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO REQUIRE CITIES TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE FOR AND TO ENCOURAGE CITY EMPLOYEES TO REPORT IMPROPER OR UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY AND TO REQUIRE CITIES TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES WHO REPORT SUCH ACTIVITY FROM RETALIATION OR OTHER DISCRIMINATORY ACTION.
Local Government, if favorable, Judiciary 1, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House January 28, 2021 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT PROVIDING THAT CITIES SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS ENCOURAGING THEIR EMPLOYEES TO REPORT IMPROPER OR UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY AND REQUIRING CITIES TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES WHO REPORT SUCH ACTIVITY FROM RETALIATION OR OTHER DISCRIMINATORY ACTION.
Personnel rules.ordinances;
Personnel rules.rules;
reporting improper or unlawful activity;
adopt rules to encourage reporting of improper or unlawful activity;
(a) The council shall adopt an ordinance required by subsection (b) of this section and may adopt or provide for rules and regulations policies or ordinances concerning but not limited to annual leave, sick leave, special leave with full payor with partial paysupplementing workers' compensation payments for employees injured in accidents arising out of and in the course of employment, hours of employment, holidays, working conditions, service award and incentive award programs, other personnel policies, and any other measures that promote the hiring and retention of capable, diligent, and honest career employees.
(a) The council may adopt or provide for rules and regulations or ordinances concerning but not limited to annual leave, sick leave, special leave with full pay or with partial pay supplementing workers' compensation payments for employees injured in accidents arising out of and in the course of employment, hours of employment, holidays, working conditions, service award and incentive award programs, other personnel policies, and any other measures that promote the hiring and retention of capable, diligent, and honest career employees.
(b) The council shall adopt an ordinance to establish a procedure for and to encourage city employees to report to their immediate supervisor, department head, or other appropriate authority, evidence of any of the following:
(b) The council that does not have a binding personnel policy, code of conduct, or other procedure protecting employees from retaliation shall adopt rules and regulations or ordinances that encourage city employees to report to their immediate supervisor, department head, or other appropriate authority evidence of any of the following:
(1) Violations of State or federal law, rule, or regulation, or city ordinance.
(i) violations of federal, State, or city laws, rules, or regulations, (ii) fraud, (iii) misappropriation of State or city government resources, (iv) any activity that poses a substantial or specific danger to public health and safety, and (v) grossmismanagement, includingthegrosswasteof publicmonies orthegrossabuseofauthority.
(2) Fraud.
The council shall, by binding policy, prohibit any employee from taking action against another employee who reported any of the activities described in this subsection, including prohibiting retaliation against that employee, discharging the employee, threatening the employee in any way, or otherwise discriminating against the employee regarding the employee's compensation or the employee's terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.
(3) Misappropriation of federal, State, or city resources.
The council shall cause notice to be published in accordance with the provisions of G.S.
(4) Any activity that poses a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety.
95-9, or use other appropriate means, to keep city employees informed of their rights and responsibilities under this subsection." SECTION 2.
(5) Gross mismanagement, including the gross waste of public monies or the gross abuse of authority.
This act is effective when it becomes law.
(c) Ordinances adopted under subsection (b) of this section shall prohibit retaliation by the city council or any city employee against the employee who reports, or intends to report, any activity under subsection (b) of this section and shall prohibit discharging the employee, or threatening or otherwise discriminating against the employee regarding the employee's compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privileges of employment.
*H7-v-1*
(d) Nothing in this section prohibits disciplinary action against an employee who makes a report the employee knows or has reason to know is inaccurate.
(e) The council shall post and keep posted a notice explaining the provisions of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
The notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place *H7-v-2* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 where city employees are employed and placed in a manner to permit city employees to readily observe the notice." SECTION 2.
This act becomes effective October 1, 2021.
Page 2 House Bill 7-Second Edition
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Action History

  1. Withdrawn From Cal

  2. Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  3. Reptd Fav Com Sub 3

  4. Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)

  5. Placed On Cal For 05/12/2021

  6. Reptd Fav Com Sub 2

  7. Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  8. Withdrawn From Com

  9. Re-ref to the Com on Judiciary 3, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  10. Reptd Fav Com Substitute

  11. Re-ref Com On Judiciary 1

  12. Passed 1st Reading

  13. Ref to the Com on Local Government, if favorable, Judiciary 1, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  14. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 31 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

  • Hanig
  • Bradford

Co-sponsors (31)

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety labor
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 7?
HB 7 is sponsored by Mike Clampitt (Republican), Hanig, Bradford, Hardister, Amber M. Baker (Democratic), Hugh Blackwell (Republican), Jimmy Dixon (Republican), Faircloth, Edward C. Goodwin (Republican), Zack Hawkins (Democratic), Chris Humphrey (Republican), Donny Lambeth (Republican), Lucas, Jeffrey C. McNeely (Republican), Howard Penny, Jr. (Republican), Ray Pickett (Republican), Mark Pless (Republican), Larry W. Potts (Republican), Dennis Riddell (Republican), Sasser, Larry C. Strickland (Republican), Szoka, Steve Tyson (Republican), Harry Warren (Republican), Diane Wheatley (Republican), Donna McDowell White (Republican), David Willis (Republican), Yarborough, Zachary, Jeff Zenger (Republican), Dante Pittman (Democratic), Ben T. Moss, Jr. (Republican), and Jake Johnson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 7?
This bill died with 2021-2022 Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 7?
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