New North Carolina House bill seeks to expand transparency in state budget process

State Rep. Pricey Harrison has submitted a new bill designed to promote greater openness and public engagement in North Carolina’s budget process, according to the North Carolina State House.

Filed as HB 1153 on April 30 during the 2025 regular session, the bill is officially titled: ‘Budgeting Accountability and Transparency.’

The summary below offers a breakdown of key points, referencing the actual bill text and may include explanations for clarity.

Essentially, the bill seeks to amend North Carolina’s budget process to expand public notice and participation and make certain communications open to disclosure. It requires at least seven days for online public comments, a minimum of one in-person hearing, and at least three nonvoting committee meetings before major budget votes in each chamber. All lawmakers would receive the budget bill and related committee report at least five legislative days before a vote. Written requests from agencies and lawmakers for budget provisions or funding would become public once the budget becomes law, with attorney-client and work product exceptions maintained. The legislation allocates $250,000 in recurring funds from the 2026-27 fiscal year for the comment portal and hearings and would go into effect upon enactment, applying to subsequent state budgets.

Among the four primary sponsors, Harrison led by introducing 68 bills during the 2025 regular session.

To become law in North Carolina, bills follow a multi-step legislative process. A legislator starts by filing a bill, which then moves to a committee for review. Each chamber must read the bill three times. If amendments are made, both chambers must agree on the final version. Once that happens, the bill is sent to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature isn’t in session) to sign, veto, or allow it to take effect without a signature.

Find details on other legislation here.

Harrison holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a JD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Harrison, a Democrat, was first elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019, representing the 61st House district after succeeding John Faircloth Jr..