A new bill filed by State Rep. John M. Blust in the North Carolina House seeks to maintain consistent property tax revenue by mandating revenue-neutral tax rates during reappraisal years, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 539 on March 26 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Revenue Neutral Rate Required.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates that local governments in North Carolina adopt a revenue-neutral tax rate during the year of a general reappraisal of real property. Specifically, the budget ordinance must levy property taxes at the revenue-neutral rate as defined in G.S. 159-11(e) for any year in which a general reappraisal occurs. The goal is to ensure that property tax revenue remains consistent notwithstanding changes in property values due to reappraisals. This act is effective immediately upon becoming law and applies to all budget ordinances enacted thereafter.
Blust proposed another 11 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.
Blust graduated from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill in 1979 with a BS and again in 1982 from University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill with a JD.
Blust, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2024 to represent the state’s 62nd House district, replacing previous state representative John Faircloth Jr..
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| John M. Blust | HB 539 | 03/26/2025 | Revenue Neutral Rate Required. |
| John M. Blust, Jerry “Alan” Branson, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 544 | 03/26/2025 | Tax Credit for Rehab. Corp. Campus. |
| John M. Blust, Harry Warren, Mike Schietzelt, and Ted Davis, Jr. | HB 375 | 03/11/2025 | AI/Ban Deceptive Ads. |
| John M. Blust, Amos L. Quick, III, Jerry “Alan” Branson, and Tracy Clark | HB 342 | 03/10/2025 | Guilford County Schools Funding Requests. |
| John M. Blust | HB 305 | 03/05/2025 | Guilford County Sales Tax Distribution Mods. |
| John M. Blust, Dean Arp, Dennis Riddell, and Destin Hall | HB 310 | 03/05/2025 | Eminent Domain. |
| John M. Blust | HB 226 | 02/26/2025 | City of Greensboro/Deannexations. |
| John M. Blust | HB 212 | 02/25/2025 | Condemnation/Service on Spouses Not Required. |
| John M. Blust, Harry Warren, Jake Johnson, and Julia C. Howard | HB 154 | 02/18/2025 | Reclaim State Assets from NCInnovation. |
| John M. Blust, Donny Lambeth, Harry Warren, and Paul Scott | HB 142 | 02/17/2025 | Implement Zero-Based Budgeting. |
| John M. Blust, Edward C. Goodwin, and Mike Clampitt | HB 57 | 02/04/2025 | Adopt State Veterans Museum. |
