A new bill filed by State Rep. Brenden H. Jones seeks to create a framework for shared management and operation of park facilities in Fair Bluff under the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 889 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Lumber River State Park Directives.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to negotiate a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by March 1, 2026, to manage and operate the River Walk, adjacent park, and associated parking areas in the Town of Fair Bluff as a unit of Lumber River State Park. The department will also use the town’s Lumber River Visitors Center as the park headquarters. The MOA must outline management responsibilities, establish guidelines for sharing user fees, and permit shared management of parking and other areas. It shall also address the adoption of rules and guidelines required for management and allow for the shared use or transfer of assets and liabilities between the town and department, per applicable laws. The Department must submit the MOA to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Governmental Operations and the Fiscal Research Division before the 2026 Regular Session of the 2025 General Assembly. The act becomes effective upon becoming law.
Jones proposed another 26 bills 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 889 | 04/09/2025 | Lumber River State Park Directives. |
| Brenden H. Jones | HB 843 | 04/09/2025 | Lake Waccamaw Dam Repairs. |
| Brenden H. Jones, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Jeff Zenger, and Mark Brody | HB 831 | 04/08/2025 | Comm. Inspect. Efficiency Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, David Willis, Destin Hall, and John R. Bell, IV | HB 780 | 04/03/2025 | All Pro Dads & Responsible Fatherhood NC. |
| 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. |
