Tracking the vetoes: What passed, what didn’t, and what’s next
As the North Carolina legislative session rolls on, veto override votes have taken center stage, and Advance Carolina is here to keep OUR community informed on what’s happening and why it matters.
This week, a slate of controversial bills was overridden by the General Assembly, despite Governor Josh Stein’s vetoes. Among them were:
- House Bill 549 – Clarify Powers of the State Auditor
- House Bill 318 – Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act
- Senate Bill 266 – The Power Reduction Act
- House Bill 805 – Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Minors and Women
These bills, many with misleading titles, have raised concern among our network and advocacy partners. While they may sound reasonable on the surface, a closer look reveals harmful consequences, especially for marginalized communities. We strongly encourage readers to review the full bill texts and explore our partner resources to understand the deeper implications.
It is also important to note that three Democratic lawmakers crossed party lines to help pass these veto overrides:
- Rep. Carla Cunningham (Mecklenburg County)
- Rep. Nasif Majeed (Mecklenburg County)
- Rep. Shelley Willingham (Edgecombe, Martin, and Bertie Counties)
Their votes were instrumental in helping these measures become law.
Still Holding: DEI, Public Safety, and Border Bills
Fortunately, several bills that Advance Carolina and the NC Black and Brown Policy Network have been tracking since the beginning of the session have not yet been overridden. Governor Stein’s vetoes on these remain intact:
- Senate Bill 50 – Freedom to Carry Act
- Senate Bill 227 – Ban on DEI in public K–12 education
- Senate Bill 558 – Ban on DEI in higher education
- House Bill 171 – Ban on DEI in state agencies
- SB 153 – NC Border Protection Act
These bills are still under consideration and may return when the legislature reconvenes, potentially in August. Advance Carolina remains committed to opposing these bills and will continue to provide updates as developments unfold.
Jovita Lee, Ed.D. is the policy director for Advance Carolina and convener of the North Carolina Black and Brown Policy Network. Her advocacy and policy work focuses on equity for Black and Brown communities, operating on both state and national levels.