Sen. Lowe files bill in North Carolina Senate to fund fire truck purchase

A new bill filed by State Sen. Paul A. Lowe, Jr. in the North Carolina Senate seeks to provide funding for fire safety equipment in Winston-Salem, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 186 on Feb. 26 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Funds for Ladder Truck for WS Fire Station 19.’

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

In essence, this bill appropriates $2 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2025-26 fiscal year to the Office of State Budget and Management. These funds are designated as a directed grant to the City of Winston-Salem for the purchase of a ladder truck for Fire Station 19. The act is set to become effective on July 1, 2025.

Lowe proposed another four bills 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.

Lowe graduated from Bishop College in 1985 with a BA and again from Drew University School of Theology with a DMIN.

Lowe, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2015 to represent the state’s 32nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Earline Parmon.