Sen. Chaudhuri files bill in North Carolina Senate to manage vacant state properties

A new bill filed by Sen. Chaudhuri seeks to improve management and disposal of vacant state properties through inventory, reporting, and a surplus property system, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 465 on March 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Agency Vacant Property.’

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

In essence, this bill mandates the North Carolina Department of Administration to assess, catalog, report, and dispose of certain vacant state properties. It requires maintaining a complete inventory and database of state-owned and leased properties, including details like location, size, condition, and utilization. The Department is to create a comprehensive facilities management plan every five years and a performance management system. The bill also establishes a surplus property disposal system that limits retention of unneeded properties and sets procedures for sale or auction. Effective July 1, 2025, proceeds from sales will be split between the General Fund and the Department for repairs and renovations.

Of the two sponsors of this bill, Jim Burgin proposed the most bills (43) 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.

Chaudhuri graduated from Davidson College in 1991 with a BA and again in 1999 from North Carolina Central University with a JD.

Chaudhuri, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 15th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Terry Van Duyn.