Rep. Howard files bill in North Carolina House on state court jurisdiction

A new bill filed by State Rep. Julia C. Howard seeks to prioritize state courts for civil cases involving North Carolina and its local subdivisions, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 891 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Civil Actions/State Agency and AG Litigation.’

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

In essence, this bill enacts the Government Agency Forum Selection Act, establishing that the General Court of Justice in North Carolina should primarily handle civil actions involving the state or local political subdivisions. If a state court shares jurisdiction with a federal court, actions by the state or its subdivisions must be filed in state court, unless federal court has exclusive jurisdiction. Additionally, the state or local subdivisions cannot seek or consent to the removal of a case to federal court when they are defendants. The bill exempts agents of the state acting under specific statutes. It also prohibits the Attorney General from participating in litigation in other jurisdictions that could invalidate any statute enacted by the General Assembly. The act is effective upon becoming law and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part is invalidated, the remaining provisions remain effective.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Mike Schietzelt proposed the most bills (35) 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.

Howard graduated from Salem College in 2003 with a BA.

Howard, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 77th House district, replacing previous state representative Harry Warren.