Rep. Brockman files criminal justice debt reform bill in North Carolina House

A new bill filed by State Rep. Cecil Brockman in the North Carolina House seeks to modify court cost assessments and prevent imprisonment solely for unpaid fines, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 722 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Enact Criminal Justice Debt Reform.’

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

In essence, this bill enacts criminal justice debt reform by modifying the assessment and reporting of court costs and fees, and introducing measures to prevent imprisonment solely due to nonpayment of fines when a defendant is serving an active sentence. Courts must assess a defendant’s ability to pay based on specific financial factors and can adjust costs accordingly, including the potential for installment payment plans. The bill repeals certain statutes, prohibiting the revocation of driver’s licenses solely for failure to pay fines or appear in court. Effective Oct. 1, 2025, it also mandates the waiver of community service and supervision fees under certain conditions, such as when probation is extended only for monetary compliance. Additionally, it removes the requirement for court costs on seat belt infractions involving rear-seat passengers, reducing financial burdens on defendants.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Vernetta Alston proposed the most bills (21) 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.

Brockman graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2006 with a BA.

Brockman, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2015 to represent the state’s 60th House district, replacing previous state representative Marcus Brandon.