North Carolina HB 484: Honoring NC's Contributions to Civil Rights.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 484

Short Title: Honoring NC's Contributions to Civil Rights. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives Lofton and Quick (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
March 25, 2025
*H484-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE COMMISSION TO 2
STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING MONUMENTS COMMEMORATING 3
EVENTS AND PERSONS RELATING TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN THE 4
STATE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE 5
COMMISSION TO PLACE MARKERS AT SITES ALONG NORTH CAROLINA'S 6
CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL. 7
Whereas, the civil rights movement mobilized citizens to push for equality and 8
freedom; and 9
Whereas, the gains won during the civil rights movement helped secure rights for all 10
Americans; and 11
Whereas, countless North Carolinians participated in protests, marches, rallies, and 12
Freedom Rides across the State; and 13
Whereas, North Carolina served as the location of significant events that helped 14
advance the civil rights movement, including the creation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating 15
Committee (SNCC), the launch of the sit-in movement, and the filing of desegregation lawsuits; 16
and 17
Whereas, despite this history, there are currently no monuments commemorating our 18
State's contribution to the civil rights movement; Now, therefore, 19
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 20
SECTION 1. The African American Heritage Commission (hereinafter 21
"Commission") is authorized to study the feasibility of establishing monuments commemorating 22
events relating to the civil rights movement in North Carolina and the State's citizens that 23
contributed to the civil rights movement. In conducting its study, the Commission shall hold 24
public hearings/meetings to get citizen input. By May 1, 2026, the Commission shall report its 25
findings and any recommendations for legislation to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee 26
on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources. 27
SECTION 2. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of 28
Natural and Cultural Resources, African American Heritage Commission, the sum of five 29
hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to aid 30
the Commission in its current work of placing markers, signage, and other memorials to 31
commemorate significant cultural or historical importance relating to North Carolina's Civil 32
Rights Trail. 33
SECTION 3. This act becomes effective July 1, 2025. 34