Rep. Budd files bill in North Carolina House for Pineville pedestrian safety grant

A new bill filed by State Rep. Laura Budd seeks to improve pedestrian safety and walkability in Pineville through a directed grant for beacon construction, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 290 on March 4 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Funds for Pineville Pedestrian Beacon.’

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

In essence, this bill appropriates $545,588 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The funds are designated for a directed grant to the Town of Pineville for constructing a pedestrian hybrid beacon. The beacon will be located at the intersection of Hwy 51 and Main St. at the Town Hall. The construction aims to increase pedestrian safety and enhance the walkability of the area. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Budd proposed one other bill 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.

Budd graduated from Ohio University in 1999 with a BA and again in 2002 from Wake Forest University School of Law with a JD.

Budd, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 103rd House district, replacing previous state representative Rachel Hunt.