North Carolina legislation · 2025-2026 Session
North Carolina H144: Elect SBE/Superintendent as SBE Chair.
Status: Introduced, May 19, 2026
What the bill says
An act to amend the constitution of north carolina to elect members of the state board of education, to make the superintendent of public instruction the chair of the state board of education as an ex officio member, and to require that vacancy appointments be filled as provided by law.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF NORTH CAROLINA TO ELECT MEMBERS OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, TO MAKE THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION THE CHAIR OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AS AN EX OFFICIO MEMBER, AND TO REQUIRE THAT VACANCY APPOINTMENTS BE FILLED AS PROVIDED BY LAW. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1.(a) Section 4 of Article IX of the Constitution of North Carolina reads as rewritten: "Sec. 4. State Board of Education. (1) Board. The State Board of Education shall consist of the Lieutenant Governor, the Treasurer, and eleven members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly in joint session. The General Assembly shall divide the State into eight educational districts. Of the appointive members of the Board, one shall be appointed from each of the eight educational districts and three shall be appointed from the State at large. Appointments shall be for overlapping terms of eight years. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made by the Governor for the unexpired terms and shall not be subject to confirmation.the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and a number of elected members equal to the membership of the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States apportioned to the State by federal law. (2) Superintendent …
Sponsors
- Blackwell, Hugh (R, 86) · primary sponsor
- Torbett, John A. (R, 108) · primary sponsor
- Biggs, Brian (R, 70) · primary sponsor
- Willis, David (R, 68) · primary sponsor
- Jennifer Balkcom (R, HD-117)
- Branson, Jerry (R, 59)
- Cairns, Celeste C. (R, 13)
- James Clampitt (R)
- Echevarria, Brian (R, 82)
- Hall, Kyle (R, 91)
- Iler, Frank (R, 17)
- Jackson, Neal (R, 78)
Latest actions
- : Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
- : Reptd Fav Com Substitute
- : Re-ref to the Com on Education - K-12, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
- : Withdrawn From Com
- : Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
- : Passed 1st Reading
- : Filed
Subjects: CONSTITUTION, NC, COUNCIL OF STATE, ELEMENTARY EDUCATION, EDUCATION, PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, SUPT. OF, BOARDS, EDUCATION, STATE BOARD OF, ELECTIONS
Common questions
- What is H144?
- H144 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): Elect SBE/Superintendent as SBE Chair.
- What does H144 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the constitution of north carolina to elect members of the state board of education, to make the superintendent of public instruction the chair of the state board of education as an ex officio member, and to require that vacancy appointments be filled as provided by law.
- What is the status of H144?
- Introduced as of May 19, 2026. Latest action: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (May 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored H144?
- Blackwell, Hugh (R, 86), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H144?
- On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H144
Source: official North Carolina record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.