Rep. Brown files bill in North Carolina House to restore wetlands protections

A new bill filed by State Rep. Kanika Brown in the North Carolina House seeks to restore wetlands protections by revising key definitions and repealing sections of previous laws, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 738 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Restore Wetlands Protections.’

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

In essence, this bill aims to restore wetlands protections in North Carolina by repealing sections 54 of S.L. 2014-120 and 4.18 of S.L. 2015-286. It updates the definition of “isolated wetlands” to include those confirmed as isolated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prior to June 22, 2020, and those described as basin wetlands or bogs according to the North Carolina Wetland Assessment User Manual. The term excludes man-made ditches or ponds for stormwater management. Additionally, it defines “waters” broadly to encompass natural and artificial bodies of water in the state and specifies that “wetlands” are areas with sufficient water accumulation to support vegetation adapted to saturated soil conditions. The bill becomes effective when it becomes law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Pricey Harrison proposed the most bills (40) 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.