North Carolina 2025 Session Status: To Executive Bipartisan · 8 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 437 — Drug-Free Zones/Unauthorized Public Camping.

Last action — Vetoed 07/08/2026

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

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced March 18, 2025. It awaits signature.

Vetoed by Governor Josh Stein (Democratic) on July 08, 2026.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 90% · high confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 11 sponsors

    2 primary, 9 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (8 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill addresses drug-free zones and unauthorized public camping regulations.

This legislation creates drug-free zones and sets rules regarding unauthorized public camping. It aims to manage these issues more effectively.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

35 added · 56 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of House Bill 437, the list of sponsors has been expanded to include Representatives Chesser and Pickett alongside the original sponsor, Representative Rhyne. This change indicates a broader support base for the bill, potentially increasing its chances of passing. Additionally, a minor formatting update was made regarding the bill's introduction date. Having more sponsors can be significant as it shows a coalition of lawmakers backing the proposal, which may reflect its importance and urgency in legislative discussions.

→
Previous
Latest
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 2 HOUSE BILL 437 Committee Substitute Favorable 4/8/25 Short Title:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 437 Short Title:
Representatives Rhyne, Chesser, and Pickett (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
March 19, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH DRUG-FREE HOMELESS SERVICE ZONES AND INCREASE THE PUNISHMENT IMPOSED FOR COMMITTING CERTAIN DRUG OFFENSES IN A DRUG-FREE HOMELESS SERVICE ZONE.
Judiciary 2, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House March 19, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH DRUG-FREE HOMELESS SERVICE ZONES AND INCREASE THE PUNISHMENT IMPOSED FOR COMMITTING CERTAIN DRUG OFFENSES IN A DRUG-FREE HOMELESS SERVICE ZONE.
(8a) Any person who commits an offense under G.S.
(8a) Any person 21 years of age or older who commits an offense under G.S.
90-95(a)(1) in a drug-free homeless service zone is guilty of a Class E felony if the person knows or reasonably should know that it is a drug-free homeless service zone.
90-95(a)(1) in a drug-free homeless service zone is guilty of a Class E felony.
90-95(a)(1) in a drug-free homeless service zoneisguiltyofaClassHfelony.Forpurposesofthissubdivision,thetransfer of less than five grams of marijuana for no remuneration shall not constitute a delivery in violation of G.S.
90-95(a)(1) in a drug-free homeless service zone is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
For purposes of this subdivision, the transfer of less than five grams of marijuana for no remuneration shall not constitute a delivery in violation of G.S.
An operator of a facility-based service that primarily serves homeless individuals shall place and maintain at least one permanently affixed sign in a visible manner at the main entrance of the facility that identifies the building and its accompanying grounds as a drug-free homeless service zone.
– The following areas related to a facility-based service:
– The area within 300 feet of a facility-based service or its accompanying grounds.
1.
*H437-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 b.
If the facility-based service does not provide the services describedin sub-sub-subdivision 2.
ofthis sub-subdivision, the exterior and interior of any building and any accompanying grounds used by a facility-based service and the area within *H437-v-2* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 100 feet of that building or its accompanying grounds, if at least one sign is permanently affixed in a visible manner at the exterior of the main entrance of the facility that identifies the building and its accompanying grounds as a drug-free homeless service zone.
The presence of this sign shall raise a presumption that the person committing the offense knows or reasonably should know that it is a drug-free homeless service zone.
2.
If the facility-based service provides shelter or housing for victims of domestic violence that may be endangered if the purpose or location of the facility were to become known, the interior of any building and any outdoor area that may only be accessed by entering through the building used by a facility-based service, if at least one sign is permanently affixedin avisiblemannerinside thebuildingand within5feet of the main entrance of the facility that identifies the building as a drug-free homeless service zone.
The presence of this sign shall raise a presumption that the person committing the offense knows or reasonably should know that it is a drug-free homeless service zone.
b.
Page 2 House Bill 437-Second Edition
Page 2 House Bill 437-First Edition
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (8)

Action History

  1. Vetoed 07/08/2026

  2. Received from the Governor

  3. Pres. To Gov. 7/2/2026

  4. Ratified

  5. Concurred In S Com Sub

  6. Ordered Enrolled

  7. Cal Pursuant 36(b)

  8. Placed On Cal For 06/30/2026

  9. Regular Message Sent To House

  10. Regular Message Received For Concurrence in S Com Sub

  11. Amend Adopted A1

  12. Amend Tabled A2

  13. Amend Tabled A3

  14. Passed 2nd Reading

  15. Passed 3rd Reading

  16. Engrossed

  17. Reptd Fav

  18. Reptd Fav Com Substitute

  19. Com Substitute Adopted

  20. Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  21. Sequential Referral To Health Care Added After Judiciary

  22. Reptd Fav Com Substitute

  23. Com Substitute Adopted

  24. Re-ref Com On Health Care

  25. Withdrawn From Com

  26. Re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

  27. Regular Message Sent To Senate

  28. Regular Message Received From House

  29. Passed 1st Reading

  30. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  31. Passed 2nd Reading

  32. Passed 3rd Reading

  33. Reptd Fav

  34. Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)

  35. Placed On Cal For 04/15/2025

  36. Reptd Fav Com Substitute

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

  38. Passed 1st Reading

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

  40. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

2 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 168 not signed on · 50 voted No

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (168)

168 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 168 →

"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

Votes

M11 Concur

Passed 73 Yea · 40 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 53702
Republican 63004
Unaffiliated 3301
Total 714007
% of votes cast 60%34%0%6%
How each member voted (118)
Member Party Vote
Campbell — Yea
Reeder — Yea
CharlesSmith — Nay
vonHaefen — Nay
JohnLowery — Not Voting
C. Smith — Yea
F. Jackson — Nay
Abe Jones Democratic Yea
Aisha O. Dew Democratic Nay
Allen Buansi Democratic Nay
Allison A. Dahle Democratic Nay
Amanda P. Cook Democratic Nay
Amber M. Baker Democratic Nay
Amos L. Quick, III Democratic Nay
B. Ray Jeffers Democratic Nay
Becky Carney Democratic Nay
Beth Helfrich Democratic Nay
Brandon Lofton Democratic Nay
Brian Turner Democratic Nay
Bryan Cohn Democratic Yea
Carolyn G. Logan Democratic Nay
Cynthia Ball Democratic Nay
Dante Pittman Democratic Yea
Deb Butler Democratic Nay
Eric Ager Democratic Nay
Garland E. Pierce Democratic Yea
Gloristine Brown Democratic Nay
James Roberson Democratic Nay
Jordan Lopez Democratic Nay
Julia Greenfield Democratic Nay
Kanika Brown Democratic Nay
Laura Budd Democratic Nay
Lindsey Prather Democratic Nay
Marcia Morey Democratic Nay
Maria Cervania Democratic Nay
Mary Belk Democratic Nay
Mike Colvin Democratic Nay
Monika Johnson-Hostler Democratic Nay
Phil Rubin Democratic Nay
Pricey Harrison Democratic Nay
Renée A. Price Democratic Nay
Robert T. Reives, II Democratic Nay
Rodney D. Pierce Democratic Nay
Sarah Crawford Democratic Nay
Shelly Willingham Democratic Yea
Terry M. Brown Jr. Democratic Nay
Tim Longest Democratic Nay
Tracy Clark Democratic Nay
Vernetta Alston Democratic Not Voting
Ya Liu Democratic Not Voting
Zack Hawkins Democratic Nay
A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. Republican Yea
Allen Chesser Republican Yea
Anna Ferguson Republican Yea
Ben T. Moss, Jr. Republican Yea
Bill Ward Republican Yea
Blair Eddins Republican Yea
Brenden H. Jones Republican Yea
Brian Biggs Republican Yea
Brian Echevarria Republican Yea
Celeste C. Cairns Republican Yea
Charles W. Miller Republican Yea
Chris Humphrey Republican Yea
Cody Huneycutt Republican Yea
Dan Kiger Republican Yea
David Willis Republican Not Voting
Dean Arp Republican Yea
Dennis Riddell Republican Yea
Destin Hall Republican Yea
Diane Wheatley Republican Yea
Donna McDowell White Republican Yea
Donnie Loftis Republican Yea
Donny Lambeth Republican Not Voting
Dudley Greene Republican Yea
Edward C. Goodwin Republican Yea
Erin Paré Republican Yea
Frank Iler Republican Yea
Harry Warren Republican Not Voting
Heather H. Rhyne Republican Yea
Howard Penny, Jr. Republican Yea
Hugh Blackwell Republican Yea
Jay Adams Republican Yea
Jeff Zenger Republican Yea
Jeffrey C. McNeely Republican Yea
Jennifer Balkcom Republican Yea
Jerry "Alan" Branson Republican Yea
Jimmy Dixon Republican Yea
John A. Torbett Republican Yea
John M. Blust Republican Yea
John R. Bell, IV Republican Yea
John Sauls Republican Not Voting
Jonathan L. Almond Republican Yea
Joseph Pike Republican Yea
Julia C. Howard Republican Yea
Karl E. Gillespie Republican Yea
Keith Kidwell Republican Yea
Kelly E. Hastings Republican Yea
Kyle Hall Republican Yea
Larry C. Strickland Republican Yea
Larry W. Potts Republican Yea
Mark Brody Republican Yea
Mark Pless Republican Yea
Matthew Winslow Republican Yea
Mike Schietzelt Republican Yea
Mitchell S. Setzer Republican Yea
Neal Jackson Republican Yea
Paul Scott Republican Yea
Phil Shepard Republican Yea
Ray Pickett Republican Yea
Sam Watford Republican Yea
Stephen M. Ross Republican Yea
Steve Tyson Republican Yea
Ted Davis, Jr. Republican Yea
Todd Carver Republican Yea
Todd Johnson Republican Yea
Tricia Ann Cotham Republican Yea
William D. Brisson Republican Yea
Wyatt Gable Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Motion 11 Veto Override

Passed 30 Yea · 14 Nay · 6 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 26000
Unaffiliated 4202
Democratic 01204
Total 301406
% of votes cast 60%28%0%12%
How each member voted (50)
Member Party Vote
Krawiec — Yea
Perry — Yea
Proctor — Yea
Bode — Nay
Woodard — Nay
Hunt — Not Voting
Marcus — Not Voting
P. Newton — Yea
Dan Blue Democratic Nay
DeAndrea Salvador Democratic Not Voting
Gale Adcock Democratic Nay
Gladys A. Robinson Democratic Nay
Graig Meyer Democratic Nay
Jay J. Chaudhuri Democratic Nay
Joyce Waddell Democratic Nay
Julie Mayfield Democratic Nay
Kandie D. Smith Democratic Nay
Lisa Grafstein Democratic Nay
Michael Garrett Democratic Not Voting
Mujtaba A. Mohammed Democratic Not Voting
Natalie S. Murdock Democratic Nay
Paul A. Lowe, Jr. Democratic Nay
Sydney Batch Democratic Not Voting
Val Applewhite Democratic Nay
Amy S. Galey Republican Yea
Benton G. Sawrey Republican Yea
Bill Rabon Republican Yea
Bobby Hanig Republican Yea
Brad Overcash Republican Yea
Brent Jackson Republican Yea
Carl Ford Republican Yea
Danny Earl Britt, Jr. Republican Yea
David W. Craven, Jr. Republican Yea
Eddie D. Settle Republican Yea
Jake Johnson Republican Yea
Jim Burgin Republican Yea
Kevin Corbin Republican Yea
Lisa S. Barnes Republican Yea
Michael A. Lazzara Republican Yea
Michael V. Lee Republican Yea
Norman W. Sanderson Republican Yea
Paul Newton Republican Yea
Phil Berger Republican Yea
Ralph Hise Republican Yea
Steve Jarvis Republican Yea
Timothy D. Moffitt Republican Yea
Tom McInnis Republican Yea
Vickie Sawyer Republican Yea
W. Ted Alexander Republican Yea
Warren Daniel Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety housing labor
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 437?
HB 437 is sponsored by Shelly Willingham (Democratic), Reeder, Jeffrey C. McNeely (Republican), Cody Huneycutt (Republican), Campbell, Brian Biggs (Republican), Ray Pickett (Republican), Allen Chesser (Republican), Heather H. Rhyne (Republican), Jake Johnson (Republican), and Carson Smith (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 437?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced March 18, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track HB 437?
Track HB 437 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on HB 437

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of HB 437

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →