Rep. Budd files bill in North Carolina House to enhance contractor board enforcement

A new bill filed by State Rep. Laura Budd seeks to strengthen enforcement by allowing the contractor board to share investigative records and support criminal prosecutions, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 924 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Board for Gen. Contractors/Crim. Referrals.’

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

In essence, this bill authorizes the State Licensing Board for General Contractors in North Carolina to refer violations of its regulations, which are subject to criminal penalties, to appropriate law enforcement agencies or district attorneys for investigation and possible prosecution. The board is permitted to disclose its investigative records to aid in these investigations, despite any confidentiality rules. Furthermore, the bill does not restrict the board’s ability to support criminal prosecutions, including using board funds or sharing information. It also clarifies that this bill does not limit the state’s authority to punish criminal conduct under other statutes. The board may adopt additional rules to implement these provisions. The act takes effect Oct. 1, 2025, and applies to violations committed on or after that date.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Mark Brody proposed the most bills (22) 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.