A new bill filed by State Rep. Brenden H. Jones in the North Carolina House seeks to transition Columbus County Board of Education elections to a partisan format with staggered terms, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 116 on Feb. 12 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Local Bd. of Ed. Election Changes.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates that the Columbus County Board of Education elections in North Carolina will transition to a partisan format, involving the nomination and election of board members during general elections in even-numbered years. The board will comprise five members serving staggered four-year terms, each elected from single-member residency districts by voters of the entire county, excluding Whiteville School Administrative Unit. Current board members elected in 2022 or 2024 will serve their terms, with any vacancies filled by the board until the next election. The act repeals several earlier statutes and becomes effective for elections held after it becomes law, while specific provisions regarding vacancies take effect Dec. 1, 2026.
Jones 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.
Jones, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2017 to represent the state’s 46th House district, replacing previous state representative Ken Waddell.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brenden H. Jones | HB 116 | 02/12/2025 | Local Bd. of Ed. Election Changes. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Allen Chesser, Heather H. Rhyne, and Jay Adams | HB 35 | 02/03/2025 | Establish Military Appreciation Month. |
