A new bill filed by State Rep. Sarah Stevens seeks to amend the North Carolina Constitution to change how vacancies in certain state offices are filled, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 443 on March 18 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Const. Amendment: Council of State Vacancies.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill proposes an amendment to the North Carolina Constitution regarding the process for filling vacancies in key state offices including Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Attorney General, and various commissioners. It mandates that such vacancies, when left by an officer elected as a political party nominee, be filled by the Governor from a list of three qualified people recommended by the departing officer’s party. This amendment would be subject to voter approval in the November 3, 2026, general election. If a majority favor the amendment, it would become effective upon certification by the State Board of Elections.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Cody Huneycutt proposed the most bills (20) 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.
Stevens graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1981 with a BS and again in 1986 from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law with a JD.
Stevens, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2009 to represent the state’s 90th House district, replacing previous state representative Jim Harrell.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Stevens, Cody Huneycutt, Hugh Blackwell, and Kyle Hall | HB 443 | 03/18/2025 | Const. Amendment: Council of State Vacancies. |
| Sarah Stevens, Brian Biggs, Laura Budd, and Ya Liu | HB 431 | 03/18/2025 | Preventing Deed Fraud. |
| Sarah Stevens, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Jennifer Balkcom | HB 449 | 03/18/2025 | Crimes Against Minors/Revise Law. |
| Sarah Stevens and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 426 | 03/17/2025 | Workforce Diploma Program. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 388 | 03/12/2025 | Amend Business Corporations Act. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 377 | 03/11/2025 | Changes to Estates and Trusts Statutes. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 334 | 03/06/2025 | GSC Unif. Community Prop. Disp. at Death Act. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 307 | 03/05/2025 | Various Criminal Law Revisions. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 308 | 03/05/2025 | Criminal Law Changes. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 237 | 02/26/2025 | Child Welfare. |
| Sarah Stevens, Hugh Blackwell, Kyle Hall, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 182 | 02/24/2025 | Rev. Law Perm. Protect Order/Child Abuse. |
| Sarah Stevens and Keith Kidwell | HB 188 | 02/24/2025 | Automatic Renewal of Contracts. |
| Sarah Stevens, Carson Smith, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Jennifer Balkcom | HB 164 | 02/21/2025 | Parental Consent to Release Child Autopsies. |
