The state Legislature went into recess Thursday after overriding eight of the governor’s 14 vetoes and leaving six others pending that could be voted during any of the 10 sessions scheduled from next month until the end of April 2026.
According to the resolution approved by both chambers, lawmakers will return to Raleigh on Tuesday, August 26 at noon to exclusively discuss urgent pending issues such as the governor’s vetoes and the state budget, among others.
On the agenda for that week are six bills that were vetoed by Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, including SB153, an anti-immigrant legislation that among other things would force state agencies such as the Highway Patrol to collaborate with Immigration Enforcement (ICE) to identify and detain undocumented immigrants.
Also included are three bills (HB171, SB227, and SB558) that bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in state agencies, universities, and public schools; and SB50 which would allow anyone over the age of 18 to carry guns without a permit.
However, the Legislature could delay voting on those bills until next year as it is scheduled to meet at least once a month until April 2026.
The dates of the next sessions are as follows:
- August 26, 2025
- September 22, 2025
- October 21, 2025
- November 18, 2025
- December 16, 2025
- January 13, 2026
- February 10, 2026
- March 10, 2026
- April 7, 2026
- April 21, 2026
To override vetoes on those bills, Republicans need the support of at least one Democratic lawmaker, since they don’t have a supermajority in the House of Representatives.
Of the 14 bills vetoed by Stein, eight were signed into law this week thanks to the vote of some Democratic representatives such as Carla Cunningham (Mecklenburg), Nasif Majeed (Mecklenburg) and Shelly Willingham (Bertie, Edgecome and Martin).
One of the most striking votes was that of the anti-immigrant bill HB318, which toughens the collaboration of sheriffs with ICE, which was approved thanks to Cunningham’s vote, after an incendiary speech during the debate.
Below, you can review the status of bills whose vetoes have already been overridden (in green) and those still pending in the state Legislature:
