Rep. Blust files bill in North Carolina House to limit governor’s emergency powers

A new bill filed by State Rep. Blust seeks to limit the governor’s emergency powers by requiring legislative approval for extended emergency measures, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 678 on April 1 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Ensure Constitutional Government.’

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

In essence, this bill proposes amendments to the North Carolina Constitution to limit the Governor’s emergency powers, requiring legislative approval for emergency measures lasting more than two weeks. It mandates that upon declaring a statewide emergency, the General Assembly must convene in an emergency session within seven days. Additionally, it stipulates emergency declarations without Council of State concurrence expire within seven days, and those with concurrence expire in 14 days unless extended by the General Assembly. The amendments, subject to voter approval in 2026, would restrict the Governor’s ability to issue consecutive emergency declarations based on the same conditions without legislative extension. If approved, the act becomes effective when it becomes law.

Blust proposed another 13 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..