North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein’s 14 vetoes from this year’s legislative session could be overridden by the North Carolina House of Representatives and Senate when the legislative bodies reconvene on July 29.
The Senate and House would need to obtain a three-fifths vote from present and voting members in order to successfully override Stein’s vetoes. Currently, Republicans hold a three-fifths majority in the Senate.
House Republicans gained a supermajority in April 2023 when Rep. Tricia Cotham, elected as a Democrat, switched parties during her term. During the 2023-2024 legislative session, Republicans overrode all 29 of Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes.
However, House Republicans fall one vote short of the three-fifths majority in the current legislative session, meaning one House Democrat’s vote in favor of the overrides is crucial for its success if all members are present.
All 14 vetoed bills have been placed on the calendar for July 29, with seven originating from the House and seven from the Senate.
The vetoed bills cover a wide range of issues, including eliminating DEI in schools and state government agencies, easing concealed carry laws and requiring cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
House Bill 171, or the “Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI” bill, is one of several vetoed bills to be discussed on July 29. The bill states that no state agency shall “promote, support, fund, implement, or maintain workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
The bill passed in the House with a 69-45 vote along party lines, with four Democrats and two Republicans absent during the vote.
In the veto document, Stein claims that HB171 is “riddled with vague definitions yet imposes extreme penalties for unknowable violations.” Stein vetoed the bill on July 3.
Stein also vetoed Senate Bill 558, or the “Eliminating ‘DEI’ in Public Higher Ed.” bill. The bill prohibits public institutions of higher education from maintaining offices or divisions “referred to as or named diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Senate Republicans passed SB558 in a 28-18 vote.
Vetoed bills regarding gun laws will also be up for discussion. House Bill 193 would allow certain individuals to carry a concealed weapon onto educational property when authorized by the school board of trustees or an administrative director.
The bill originally passed in a 63-44 vote with one Republican voting against the bill and seven being absent.
The “Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act” passed in the House on April 29 with one Democrat’s support, Senator Carla D. Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg). With all House Republicans present and Cunningham’s vote in favor, Stein’s veto on House Bill 318 could be overridden.
An override isn’t made official until both the House and Senate have obtained a three-fifths majority vote from present members. If the vote passes, the bill becomes a law.
While many vetoed bills are scheduled to be discussed in late July, it does not mean a vote will definitely happen that day. Republicans may wait to hold a vote until they know they have enough members present to successfully override the veto.