A new bill filed by State Rep. Brenden H. Jones in the North Carolina House seeks to improve 911 services and emergency responder communication through targeted funding allocations, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 695 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Support VIPER/Assist 911 Operations/Dispatch.’
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 911 Board allocate a minimum of 20% of total service charges to support the State Highway Patrol’s Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders (VIPER) system to enhance 911 services, improve interoperability between 911 systems and public safety radio systems, and ensure efficient dispatch of first responders. It also requires allocating at least 15% to the Next Generation 911 Reserve Fund and 5% to the PSAP Grant and Statewide Projects Account. The 911 Board is empowered to adopt temporary and permanent rules to implement these changes. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, affecting allocations after that date.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Charles W. Miller proposed the most bills (34) 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, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Carson Smith, and Charles W. Miller | HB 695 | 04/02/2025 | Support VIPER/Assist 911 Operations/Dispatch. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Julia C. Howard, Mitchell S. Setzer, and Ya Liu | HB 734 | 04/02/2025 | Modernize Debt Settlement Prohibition. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Allen Chesser, David Willis, and Grant L. Campbell, MD | HB 572 | 03/27/2025 | Veterans/eTMS Pilot Program. |
| Brenden H. Jones, John A. Torbett, Keith Kidwell, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 549 | 03/26/2025 | Clarify Powers of State Auditor. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Kyle Hall, Stephen M. Ross, and Steve Tyson | HB 506 | 03/24/2025 | 2025 State Investment Modernization Act.-AB |
| Brenden H. Jones, Jeffrey C. McNeely, Kyle Hall, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 469 | 03/20/2025 | Restoring Rivalries Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Stephen M. Ross, and Steve Tyson | HB 421 | 03/17/2025 | Motor Vehicle Dealers. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Stephen M. Ross, and Steve Tyson | HB 406 | 03/13/2025 | Clarify Motor Vehicle Dealer Laws. |
| Brenden H. Jones, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Dudley Greene | HB 354 | 03/10/2025 | Civil Procedure/Gatekeeper Orders/Database. |
| Brenden H. Jones, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Dudley Greene | HB 355 | 03/10/2025 | OSFM to Study Future of Rural Firefighting. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Frank Iler, Karl E. Gillespie, and Steve Tyson | HB 295 | 03/05/2025 | Req. DOT to Install Prop. Corner Markers. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Celeste C. Cairns, Howard Penny, Jr., and William D. Brisson | HB 296 | 03/05/2025 | Corn Farmer Recovery Act – Phase I. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Brian Echevarria, Carson Smith, and Destin Hall | HB 318 | 03/05/2025 | The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Celeste C. Cairns, Kyle Hall, and Mike Clampitt | HB 276 | 03/04/2025 | Align Benefits for Firefighters with Cancer. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Brian Biggs, Brian Echevarria, and Neal Jackson | HB 244 | 02/27/2025 | Depoliticize Government Property Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Allen Chesser, Bill Ward, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 224 | 02/26/2025 | Strengthen Our Tribal Communities Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Carson Smith, and Jake Johnson | HB 218 | 02/25/2025 | Emergency Info on DMV Applications. |
| Brenden H. Jones | HB 220 | 02/25/2025 | Tabor City/Certain Public Enterprise Funds. |
| Brenden H. Jones | HB 221 | 02/25/2025 | Tabor City/Railroad Revitalization Project. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Jake Johnson, Jarrod Lowery, and Matthew Winslow | HB 222 | 02/25/2025 | C.O.O.P.E.R. Accountability Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Blair Eddins, Jarrod Lowery, and Neal Jackson | HB 171 | 02/21/2025 | Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. |
| 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. |
