Rep. Balkcom files bill on bail bondsmen regulation in North Carolina House

A new bill filed by State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom seeks to update and clarify the regulatory framework for bail bondsmen operating in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 718 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Bail Bondsmen Revisions.-AB’

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 revise the regulations concerning bail bondsmen in North Carolina, effective July 1, 2025. It provides a comprehensive framework for regulating those licensed as professional bondsmen, surety bondsmen, or runners. The bill clarifies procedures for out-of-state sureties, requiring them to use licensed North Carolina bail bondsmen. It extends the supervision period for first-year provisional licensees from 12 to 24 months and sets the qualifications for supervising bondsmen, including a required five-year experience. Additionally, the bill outlines grounds for license denial, suspension, or revocation, such as felony convictions. It modifies due dates for continuing education and license renewal applications and mandates a physical business address in North Carolina for bondsmen’s official business activities.

A related bill, SB 251, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Todd Johnson on March 6, 2025.

Of the two sponsors of this bill, Balkcom proposed the most bills (32) during the 2025 regular session.

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.