A new bill filed by Sen. Kennedy proposes amending the state constitution to allow broader recognition of domestic unions beyond the current definition of marriage, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 459 on March 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Constitutional Repeal of Art. XIV Sec. 6.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill proposes amending the North Carolina Constitution to repeal Section 6 of Article XIV, which currently recognizes marriage between one man and one woman as the state’s only valid or recognized domestic legal union. The amendment aims to remove this provision, allowing for greater recognition of various forms of domestic unions. The proposed amendment will be submitted to North Carolina’s qualified voters during the general election in November 2026. If a majority of votes cast are in favor, the amendment will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, once certified by the State Board of Elections and recorded by the Secretary of State.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Lisa Grafstein proposed the most bills (45) 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.
Garrett graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2007 with a BSBA.
Garrett, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 27th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Trudy Wade.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Garrett, Lisa Grafstein, and Sophia Chitlik | SB 459 | 03/24/2025 | Constitutional Repeal of Art. XIV Sec. 6. |
| Michael Garrett and Gladys A. Robinson | SB 284 | 03/13/2025 | Guilford County Schools Funding Requests. |
| Michael Garrett and Gladys A. Robinson | SB 285 | 03/13/2025 | Teacher Salary Supplement/Guilford Cnty Schs. |
| Michael Garrett, Gladys A. Robinson, and Paul A. Lowe, Jr. | SB 243 | 03/05/2025 | Commuter Rail Study/Piedmont Triad. |
| Michael Garrett and Terence Everitt | SB 244 | 03/05/2025 | January 6 Riot/Attempt Overthrow of Gov’t. |
| Michael Garrett | SB 151 | 02/24/2025 | 27th Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
