Rep. Brown files bill in North Carolina House to protect river ecosystems

A new bill filed by State Rep. Kanika Brown in the North Carolina House seeks to recognize and protect the rights of river ecosystems and residents to healthy waterways, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 345 on March 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Rights of Nature/Certain River Basins.’

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

In essence, this bill, known as the Rights of the Rivers Act, aims to recognize and protect the rights of the Dan and Haw River ecosystems and the rights of North Carolina residents to healthy river ecosystems. The bill defines these ecosystems extensively and outlines their rights, including the right to exist, flourish, regenerate, and possess clean and unpolluted water. It mandates state natural resource management agencies to ensure these rights are upheld, prohibiting activities that infringe upon them. Furthermore, it empowers the Attorney General, the ecosystems themselves, and residents to enforce these rights through legal action. Businesses or government entities violating the act may face civil penalties and be liable for restoration costs. The act declares that its provisions are severable, allowing unaffected portions to remain in effect if certain parts are invalidated, and takes effect upon becoming law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Marcia Morey proposed the most bills (20) 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.

Brown, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 71st House district, replacing previous state representative Evelyn Terry.