A new bill filed by State Rep. Amber M. Baker in the North Carolina House seeks to increase diversity in pickleball through a pilot program targeting underrepresented communities, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 249 on Feb. 27 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Diversity in Pickleball Pilot Program.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill allocates $10,112 from the General Fund to North Carolina State University to implement a pilot program in Wake County aimed at increasing diversity in pickleball. The program, coordinated by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at the College of Natural Resources, will target underrepresented communities of color in pickleball, which despite its inclusivity and accessibility, remains largely homogenous. The pilot will include focus groups to inform program design, the creation of a branded program with marketing efforts, and a series of events held at the Method Road and Chavis recreation centers in Raleigh in fall 2025 and spring 2026. Additionally, a toolkit for replicating the initiative statewide will be developed. This act is set to take effect July 1, 2025.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Carolyn G. Logan proposed the most bills (eight) 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.
Baker graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a BS.
Baker, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 72nd House district, replacing previous state representative Derwin Montgomery.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber M. Baker, Carolyn G. Logan, and James Roberson | HB 249 | 02/27/2025 | Diversity in Pickleball Pilot Program. |
| Amber M. Baker, Carolyn G. Logan, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 168 | 02/21/2025 | North Carolina CROWN Act. |
