A new bill filed by State Rep. Jeff Zenger seeks to strengthen legislative oversight of administrative rules with significant economic impact, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 402 on March 13 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Limit Rules With Substantial Financial Costs.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill, titled the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny Act (REINS Act), amends several sections of the North Carolina General Statutes to enhance legislative oversight of administrative rulemaking. The bill requires that permanent rules with an economic impact of at least $1 million within 12 months be ratified by the General Assembly before taking effect. It outlines processes for legislative review of rules, includes provisions for objections, and mandates fiscal notes for proposed rules with substantial economic impacts. It also empowers the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee to review rules and determine if statutory changes are necessary. This act becomes effective upon becoming law and applies to rules adopted thereafter.
A related bill, SB 290, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Steve Jarvis (and two others) on March 13, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Allen Chesser proposed the most bills (19) 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.
Zenger, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 74th House district, replacing previous state representative Wes Schollander.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Zenger, Allen Chesser, John R. Bell, IV, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 402 | 03/13/2025 | Limit Rules With Substantial Financial Costs. |
| Jeff Zenger, Cody Huneycutt, Harry Warren, and Karl E. Gillespie | HB 381 | 03/12/2025 | On-Site Wastewater System Amendments. |
| Jeff Zenger, Dennis Riddell, and Mark Brody | HB 376 | 03/11/2025 | Various On-Site Wastewater & Well Provisions. |
| Jeff Zenger, Donna McDowell White, Donnie Loftis, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 319 | 03/06/2025 | Funds for Hispanic Grassroots. |
| Jeff Zenger, David Willis, Jonathan L. Almond, and Neal Jackson | HB 301 | 03/05/2025 | Social Media Protections for Minors Under 16. |
| Jeff Zenger, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Allen Chesser, and Charles W. Miller | HB 272 | 03/04/2025 | The Sergeant Mickey Hutchens Act. |
| Jeff Zenger, Julia C. Howard, and Ted Davis, Jr. | HB 264 | 03/03/2025 | Wire Fraud Prevention Act. |
| Jeff Zenger, Mitchell S. Setzer, and Sam Watford | HB 247 | 02/27/2025 | Underground Safety Revisions. |
| Jeff Zenger, Jennifer Balkcom, John R. Bell, IV, and Neal Jackson | HB 133 | 02/17/2025 | NC Farmland and Military Protection Act. |
| Jeff Zenger and Donny Lambeth | HB 82 | 02/10/2025 | Study Commission for LEA Size. |
| Jeff Zenger, Donnie Loftis, Erin Paré, and Steve Tyson | HB 56 | 02/04/2025 | Publish Central Office Employment Information. |
| Jeff Zenger, Donny Lambeth, Kyle Hall, and Larry W. Potts | HB 30 | 02/03/2025 | SchCalFlex/WS-F,Stokes,Davdsn/Aug11 & Assmnts. |
| Jeff Zenger, Donny Lambeth, Kyle Hall, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 34 | 02/03/2025 | Establish Larceny of Mail Offense. |
| Jeff Zenger, Erin Paré, Kelly E. Hastings, and Paul Scott | HB 15 | 01/29/2025 | Support Private Property Rights. |
