North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 3 R · 1 I cosponsors

HB 718 — Bail Bondsmen Revisions.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

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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 is in committee in the House. Introduced April 02, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Advancing 38% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (3 R · 1 I) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

180 added · 177 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of House Bill 718, the definitions for "provisional licensee" and "supervising bail bondsman" have been adjusted for clarity. Previously, the term "contract" was removed from how a supervising bail bondsman interacts with provisional licensees, emphasizing a more direct employment relationship. This change is important because it outlines clear expectations for oversight and support for newer bail bondsmen, promoting better training and safety in the industry.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA H.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 718 Short Title:
718 Apr 2, 2025 SESSION 2025 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK H D HOUSE BILL DRH10324-NE-105 Short Title:
Representative Humphrey.
Representatives Humphrey and Balkcom (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT REVISING THE LAWS RELATED TO BAIL BONDSMEN, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.
Insurance, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House April 3, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT REVISING THE LAWS RELATED TO BAIL BONDSMEN, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.
… (4a) First-year licensee.
… *H718-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4a) First-year licensee.
*DRH10324-NE-105* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4b) Direct supervision.
(4b) Direct supervision.
If the licensee will continue to be employed by or contract with the supervising bail bondsman beyond the initial 12-month 24-month period, the supervising bail bondsman shall continue to supervise and be responsible for the licensee's acts.
If the licensee will continue to be employed by or contract with the supervising bail bondsman beyond the initial 12-month 24-month period, the supervisingbail bondsman shall continue to supervise and be responsible for the licensee's acts.
(e) Provided all other licensing requirements are met, an applicant for a bail bondsman or runner's license who has previously been licensed with the Commissioner for a period of at least 18 consecutive months and who has been inactive or unlicensed for a period of not more than three consecutive years shall not be deemed a new licensee for purposes of this section." Page 2 DRH10324-NE-105 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 2.(c) Article 71 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
(e) Provided all other licensing requirements are met, an applicant for a bail bondsman or runner's license who has previously been licensed with the Commissioner for a period of at Page 2 House Bill 718-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 least 18 consecutive months and who has been inactive or unlicensed for a period of not more than three consecutive years shall not be deemed a new licensee for purposes of this section." SECTION 2.(c) Article 71 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
(1) No later than May 31 of each year, a renewal application on a form prescribed by the Commissioner.
(1) No later than May31 of each year, a renewal application on a form prescribed by the Commissioner.
(2) Nolaterthanthefifth business dayofeachmonth,a recordofeachprovisional licensee supervised by the supervising bail bondsman.
(2) Nolaterthanthefifth business dayof eachmonth,a recordofeachprovisional licensee supervised by the supervising bail bondsman.
(a) The Commissioner may deny, place on probation, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew any license issued under this Article, in accordance with the provisions of Article 3A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes, for any one or more of the following causes:
(a) The Commissioner maydeny, place on probation, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew any license issued under this Article, in accordance with the provisions of Article 3A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes, for any one or more of the following causes:
… (b) The Commissioner shall deny, revoke, or refuse to renew any license under this Article if if (i) the applicant or licensee is or has ever been convicted of a felony.felony or (ii) pursuant to the provisions of Article 3A of Chapter 150 of the General Statutes, the Commissioner, or another appropriate administrative body, finds that the applicant or licensee performed the acts necessary to satisfy the elements of a felony.
… (b) The Commissioner shall deny, revoke, or refuse to renew any license under this Article if if (i) the applicant or licensee is or has ever been convicted of a felony.felony or (ii) pursuant to the provisions of Article 3A of Chapter 150 of the General Statutes, the House Bill 718-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Commissioner, or another appropriate administrative body, finds that the applicant or licensee performed the acts necessary to satisfy the elements of a felony.
… DRH10324-NE-105 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b3) For the purposes of this section, a conviction includes an adjudication of guilt, a plea of guilty, and a plea of nolo contendere.
… (b3) For the purposes of this section, a conviction includes an adjudication of guilt, a plea of guilty, and a plea of nolo contendere.
(c) In the case of a first-year provisional licensee whose employment or contract is terminatedprior to the end ofthe 12-month 24-month supervisory period,theCommissionermay consider all information provided in writing by the supervising bail bondsman in determining whether sufficient cause exists to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license or to warrant criminal prosecution of the first-year provisional licensee.
(c) In the case of a first-year provisional licensee whose employment or contract is terminatedprior to the end ofthe 12-month 24-month supervisoryperiod,theCommissionermay consider all information provided in writing by the supervising bail bondsman in determining whether sufficient cause exists to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license or to warrant criminal prosecution of the first-year provisional licensee.
No licensee shall participate in or solicit assistance in securing custody of a principal by another not licensed under this Article.
No licensee shall participate in or solicit assistance in securing custodyof a principal by another not licensed under this Article.
The physical location used as the official business address must comply with all local or municipal zoning ordinances and regulations.
The physical location used as the official business address must complywith all local or municipal zoning ordinances and regulations.
Use of a post office box as an official business address is prohibited." PART VI.
Use of a post office box as an official business address is prohibited." Page 4 House Bill 718-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 PART VI.
Page 4 DRH10324-NE-105 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 … (b) Qualifications.
… (b) Qualifications.
DRH10324-NE-105 Page 5
House Bill 718-First Edition Page 5
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How this bill changes current law

6 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill revises existing laws related to bail bondsmen in North Carolina, including the abrogation of conflicting common law, updates to licensing requirements, and changes to disciplinary actions.

  • § 58-71-2

    The purpose of this Article is to provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of all persons licensed under this Article in the capacity of professional bondsmen, surety bondsmen, or runners, or performing any of the functions, duties, or powers prescribed for professional bondsmen, surety bondsmen, or runners within the State of North Carolina. Any part of the common law that conflicts with the provisions of this Article is expressly abrogated.

    Establishes a clear purpose for the regulation of bail bondsmen and explicitly abrogates conflicting common law.

  • § 58-71-30

    A surety on a bail bond or undertaking from another state or jurisdiction shall not arrest the defendant in this State for the purposes of surrendering the defendant. → Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, a surety on a bail bond or undertaking from another state or jurisdiction must utilize the services or assistance of any North Carolina surety bondsman, professional bondsman, or runner to effect the arrest or surrender of the defendant. The surety must first provide the surety bondsman, professional bondsman, or runner with a certified copy of the undertaking.

    Allows out-of-state sureties to work with licensed North Carolina bondsmen to arrest defendants.

  • § 58-71-1

    first-year licensee → First-year licensee. – Any person who has been licensed as a bail bondsman or runner under this Article and who has held the license for a period of less than 12 months.

    Defines a first-year licensee for clarity in regulations.

  • § 58-71-41

    Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a first-year provisional licensee shall operate only under the direct supervision of and from the official business address of a licensed supervising bail bondsman, who shall be responsible for the direct supervision of the provisional licensee, for the first 12 months of licensure. → Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a first-year provisional licensee shall operate only under the direct supervision of and from the official business address of a licensed supervising bail bondsman, who shall be responsible for the direct supervision of the provisional licensee, for the first 24 months of licensure.

    Extends the required period of supervision for first-year provisional licensees from 12 months to 24 months.

  • § 58-71-80

    the applicant or licensee is or has ever been convicted of a felony. → the applicant or licensee is or has ever been convicted of a felony or (ii) pursuant to the provisions of Article 3A of Chapter 150 of the General Statutes, the Commissioner, or another appropriate administrative body, finds that the applicant or licensee performed the acts necessary to satisfy the elements of a felony.

    Clarifies that denial or revocation of a license can occur if an applicant or licensee is found to meet felony criteria beyond just a conviction.

  • § 58-71-71(b)

    June 30 → May 15

    Changes the due date for continuing education from June 30 to May 15 each year.

Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref to the Com on Insurance, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 175 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (175)

175 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 718?
HB 718 is sponsored by Jeffrey C. McNeely (Republican), Nasif Majeed (U), Jennifer Balkcom (Republican), and Chris Humphrey (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 718?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 02, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 718?
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