State Rep. Becky Carney introduced legislation aimed at clarifying the method for establishing historic districts via zoning rules in Mecklenburg County, the North Carolina State House reports.
Filed as HB 1228 on May 5 during the 2025 regular session, the measure carries the short title: ‘Down-Zoning/Historic Districts-Mecklenburg Co.’
Presented below is our summary, based on the complete bill text. Some explanation has been added to clarify the legislation’s intent and specifics.
In summary, the bill revises North Carolina’s zoning process so that historic district designation by zoning, under G.S. 160D-944, will not be deemed “down-zoning” in Mecklenburg County. This exclusion from the legal definition of down-zoning appears to let local governments create or expand historic districts without needing written approval from every impacted property owner—normally a down-zoning requirement. The legislation is set to become effective upon enactment and applies retroactively to December 11, 2024.
Among the bill’s four sponsors, Terry M. Brown Jr. filed the highest number of bills (38) during the 2025 regular session.
Legislation in North Carolina goes through a multi-step process before becoming law. After a lawmaker files a bill, it is referred to a committee for consideration. Each chamber must read the bill three times. If one chamber amends a bill after approval in the other, both must agree to the revision. When both chambers pass identical legislation, it goes to the governor, who can sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature—within 10 days, or 30 if the legislature is not in session.
Find more details and track legislative actions here.
Carney, a Democrat, has represented North Carolina’s 102nd House district in the State House since 2003, succeeding Ruth Easterling in the position.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Becky Carney, Brandon Lofton, Mary Belk, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 1228 | 05/05/2026 | Down-Zoning/Historic Districts-Mecklenburg Co. |
| Becky Carney, Carolyn G. Logan, Mary Belk, and Nasif Majeed | HB 1145 | 04/30/2026 | Safety Funds for Highway 49 & Eastway Drive. |
| Becky Carney, Donny Lambeth, Mary Belk, and Renée A. Price | HB 1166 | 04/30/2026 | Reorganize & Fund Rare Disease Adv. Council. |
| Becky Carney, Eric Ager, Maria Cervania, and Phil Rubin | HB 1179 | 04/30/2026 | Senior Property Tax Relief Modernization Act. |
| Becky Carney, Brandon Lofton, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 944 | 04/10/2025 | Fund Community Health Svcs/Mecklenburg County. |
| Becky Carney, Jordan Lopez, and Mary Belk | HB 998 | 04/10/2025 | Funds for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. |
| Becky Carney, Julia Greenfield, Mary Belk, and Nasif Majeed | HB 839 | 04/09/2025 | Advanced Teaching Roles Updates. |
| Becky Carney, Beth Helfrich, Julia Greenfield, and Sarah Crawford | HB 842 | 04/09/2025 | Vis., Hear., Dental Screenings Opt-Out. |
| Becky Carney, Beth Helfrich, Carolyn G. Logan, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 764 | 04/03/2025 | Establish Death by Reckless Boating. |
| Becky Carney, Deb Butler, Pricey Harrison, and Zack Hawkins | HB 742 | 04/02/2025 | Healthy and High-Performing Schools. |
| Becky Carney, Maria Cervania, Mary Belk, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 752 | 04/02/2025 | Transportation Economic Development Funding. |
| Becky Carney, Bill Ward, Stephen M. Ross, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 657 | 04/01/2025 | Duke’s Rescue Act. |
| Becky Carney, Abe Jones, Robert T. Reives, II, and Shelly Willingham | HB 604 | 03/31/2025 | Rural and Downtown Community Eco. Dev. Grants. |
| Becky Carney, Carla D. Cunningham, Donny Lambeth, and Mary Belk | HB 525 | 03/26/2025 | Reorganize & Fund Rare Disease Adv. Council. |
| Becky Carney, Carolyn G. Logan, James Roberson, and Lindsey Prather | HB 550 | 03/26/2025 | Modify Mileage and Per Diem. |
| Becky Carney, Julia C. Howard, Mitchell S. Setzer, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 515 | 03/25/2025 | North Carolina Economic Abuse Prevention Act. |
| Becky Carney, Carla D. Cunningham, Cynthia Ball, and Mary Belk | HB 495 | 03/24/2025 | Accessing Midwives Act. |
| Becky Carney, Allen Buansi, Carla D. Cunningham, and Mary Belk | HB 460 | 03/19/2025 | Medical Equipment Right to Repair Act. |
| Becky Carney, Erin Paré, and Kyle Hall | HB 418 | 03/17/2025 | K-5 Performing and Visual Arts Requirement. |
| Becky Carney, Amos L. Quick, III, Carla D. Cunningham, and Kanika Brown | HB 398 | 03/13/2025 | Enact KinCare & Safe Days. |
| Becky Carney, Donna McDowell White, Donny Lambeth, and Mary Belk | HB 297 | 03/05/2025 | Breast Cancer Prevention Imaging Parity. |
