Raleigh -- June 25, 2026: The North Carolina House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to override four vetoes by Democratic Governor Josh Stein, advancing major policy changes to state immigration enforcement and diversity initiatives.
Because the state Senate had already voted to override three of the measures, those bills immediately became state law. The fourth bill now returns to the Senate for a final vote.
The overrides succeeded because House Republicans achieved the required three-fifths threshold of members present and voting (71-47). The standard supermajority requirement dropped slightly due to the absence of two Democratic lawmakers, Representatives Shelly Willingham and Carla Cunningham, during the session.
Details of the Enacted Laws
Senate Bill 153 (ICE Cooperation and Benefits Verification): Titled the North Carolina Border Protection Act, this law requires state and local law enforcement agencies to comply with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers for individuals in custody suspected of being in the country unlawfully. It also directs state agencies managing safety-net programs — including Medicaid, housing assistance, and unemployment benefits — to verify the legal immigration status of all applicants to ensure state funds go exclusively to U.S. citizens and legal residents.
Senate Bill 227 (DEI Restrictions in Public K-12 Schools): This measure removes diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and administrative roles across all public K-12 school districts. It prohibits public schools from using public funds for DEI training and bars schools from compelling students or staff to affirm specific concepts related to systemic identity, race, or gender.
Senate Bill 558 (DEI Restrictions in Public Higher Education): This law eliminates DEI offices, diversity statements, and mandatory inclusion training within the University of North Carolina System and state community colleges. Additionally, the statute prohibits public campuses from investigating student or faculty speech protected by the First Amendment, explicitly referencing satire and microaggressions.
Awaiting Senate Action
House Bill 171 (Prohibition of DEI in State Agencies): This bill extends diversity restrictions to the broader state government, blocking state agencies and local municipalities from utilizing public funds to implement DEI initiatives in hiring, contracting, or employee training. Because the bill originated in the House, it requires one final override vote from the Senate to become law.
Context and Political Reaction
The votes took place while state budget negotiations remain stalled in Raleigh. Governor Stein criticized the legislative focus, stating that legislative leaders are prioritizing divisive policy issues while public school teachers and state employees wait for long-overdue pay raises.
House Speaker Destin Hall defended the overrides, framing the measures as a victory for fairness and common sense that protects public safety and ensures taxpayer funds are not spent on ideological programs.