North Carolina Rep. Balkcom’s political affiliation discrimination ban in disaster aid passes both chambers of North Carolina General Assembly

Passed bill sponsored by State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom seeks to prohibit discrimination based on political affiliation or speech in state disaster recovery assistance, aiming to ensure equal access for all affected residents, according to the North Carolina State House.

In the House, 38 Democrats and 68 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 10 Democrats opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 17 Democrats and 26 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Balkcom filed the bill in the North Carolina House on Feb. 27 during the 2025 regular session.

The legislation, known as HB 251, was passed on June 10 during the 2025 regular session.

According to the North Carolina General Assembly site, the bill’s official text was formally listed with the short title: “Various Disaster Recovery Reforms.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill aims to prohibit discrimination based on political affiliation or political speech in the provision of state disaster recovery assistance in North Carolina. It amends the state’s statutes to ensure that all U.S. citizens and legal residents affected by emergencies receive disaster recovery assistance without such discrimination. Additionally, the bill introduces penalties for violators, classifying the offense as a Class I felony. This measure is set to take effect on Dec. 1, 2025, and will apply to offenses committed on or after this date, reinforcing the state’s commitment to equal protection under its emergency assistance programs.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Kelly E. Hastings (Republican-110th District), Rep. John R. Bell, IV (Republican-10th District), and Rep. Dudley Greene (Republican-85th District), along with one other sponsor.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Balkcom graduated from Blue Ridge Community College in 2016 with an AA.

Balkcom, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 117th House district, replacing previous state representative Timothy Moffitt.

Under North Carolina law, bills must receive three readings in each chamber. According to the UNC School of Government, once a bill “passes its constitutionally required second reading and moves to its constitutionally required third reading,” additional debate can occur, but the final stage is often treated as a formality. Unless a legislator requests a roll-call, the third reading may be approved by voice vote or unanimous consent without a separate recorded tally.