A new bill filed by State Rep. Jones seeks to assess and propose solutions for challenges faced by rural firefighting departments in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 355 on March 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘OSFM to Study Future of Rural Firefighting.’
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 Legislative Research Commission to conduct a thorough study on the future of firefighting in North Carolina’s rural areas. The study aims to assess and propose solutions for challenges faced by rural fire departments, focusing on volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention, funding and resource allocation, interagency cooperation, and the well-being of firefighters. It will also explore public education on fire safety and strategies for long-term sustainability and community engagement in firefighting efforts. Stakeholders, including rural fire department representatives and community leaders, will be involved through public hearings and a public comment period. The Legislative Research Commission is required to submit an interim report to the 2025 General Assembly and a final report to the 2027 General Assembly, outlining the study’s findings and any recommended legislation. The bill takes effect upon becoming law.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Charles W. Miller proposed the most bills (24) 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., Charles W. Miller, and Dudley Greene | HB 355 | 03/10/2025 | OSFM to Study Future of Rural Firefighting. |
| 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, 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. |
