Sen. Jackson files bill in North Carolina Senate to set 2025-27 state budget

A new bill filed by State Sen. Brent Jackson in the North Carolina Senate seeks to set base budget appropriations for state agencies and departments for the upcoming biennium, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 258 on March 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘2025 Appropriations Act.’

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

In essence, the bill, known as the “Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2025,” establishes base budget appropriations for the operation of state agencies, departments, and institutions for the 2025-27 fiscal biennium in North Carolina. It details appropriations from the General Fund, State Highway Fund, and State Highway Trust Fund to support the Department of Transportation and other outlined purposes. The legislation also includes provisions for federal block grants and mandates that savings from unrequired appropriations revert to the appropriate fund annually. It reaffirms the applicability of the State Budget Act and notes that most textual provisions apply only to the biennium unless stated otherwise. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Ralph Hise proposed the most bills (17) 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.

Jackson, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 9th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Michael Lee.