A new bill filed by State Rep. Brenden H. Jones in the North Carolina House seeks to enhance emergency response by optionally collecting contact information on DMV applications, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 218 on Feb. 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Emergency Info on DMV Applications.’
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 North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) request emergency contact information on both drivers license applications and renewal applications. The provision of emergency contact information by the applicant is optional. The renewal application will include an optional request for the applicant to provide updated emergency contact information if desired. This initiative aims to enhance the DMV’s capabilities in providing rapid assistance in emergencies by facilitating contact with an individual’s designated emergency contact. The act becomes effective Oct. 1, 2026, and applies to all applications submitted on or after that date.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Carson Smith proposed the most bills (eight) 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, 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. |
