A new bill filed by State Sen. Phil Berger in the North Carolina Senate aims to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary with a special license plate, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 851 on April 28 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘America’s Semiquincentennial License Plate.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill authorizes the Division of Motor Vehicles to create and issue an “America’s Semiquincentennial” special registration plate for motor vehicles. The plate must display the phrase “America 250” along with other imagery commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary. The bill also allows the Revisor of Statutes to alphabetize, number and renumber the list of special registration plates in state law to keep them in alphabetical order. The act becomes effective July 1, 2026.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Bill Rabon proposed the most bills (36) 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.
Berger graduated from Averett College with a BS and again in 1982 from Wake Forest University School of Law with a JD.
Berger, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 26th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Dave Craven.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Berger, Bill Rabon, and W. Ted Alexander | SB 851 | 04/28/2026 | America’s Semiquincentennial License Plate. |
| Phil Berger, Brent Jackson, and Steve Jarvis | SB 889 | 04/28/2026 | Property Tax Reappraisal Moratorium. |
| Phil Berger, Brad Overcash, and Kevin Corbin | SB 558 | 03/25/2025 | Eliminating “DEI” in Public Higher Ed. |
| Phil Berger, Amy S. Galey, and Michael V. Lee | SB 754 | 03/25/2025 | School Calendar Flexibility:A New Alternative. |
| Phil Berger, Steve Jarvis, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 474 | 03/24/2025 | The DAVE Act. |
| Phil Berger, Carl Ford, and Vickie Sawyer | SB 320 | 03/17/2025 | LEO Special Separation Allowance Options. |
| Phil Berger, Lisa S. Barnes, and Paul Newton | SB 261 | 03/10/2025 | Energy Security and Affordability Act. |
| Phil Berger, Brad Overcash, and Michael V. Lee | SB 227 | 03/03/2025 | Eliminating “DEI” in Public Education. |
| Phil Berger, Buck Newton, and Warren Daniel | SB 153 | 02/24/2025 | North Carolina Border Protection Act. |
| Phil Berger | SB 33 | 01/30/2025 | 26th Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
