Rep. Pierce files bill in North Carolina House to expand emergency judge eligibility

A new bill filed by State Rep. Garland E. Pierce in the North Carolina House seeks to expand eligibility for retired judges to serve as emergency judges, increasing flexibility in judicial assignments, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 335 on March 6 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Expand Emergency Judge Eligibility.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill expands the eligibility for judges who have served as both superior and district court judges before retirement to become emergency judges on either court. It allows retired judges who have not reached the mandatory retirement age to apply for emergency judge status, adding flexibility to their assignment based on prior service. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will manage lists of active and inactive emergency judges, but will limit the active lists to 10 for superior judges and 25 for district court judges, prioritizing geographical distribution and competence for judicial duties. The bill is effective once it becomes law and applies to emergency judges serving on or after that date.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Marcia Morey proposed the most bills (18) 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.

Pierce graduated from Fayetteville State University with a BS.

Pierce, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2005 to represent the state’s 48th House district, replacing previous state representative Donald Bonner.