Rep. Echevarria files North Carolina House bill on local property tax limits

A new bill filed by State Rep. Brian Echevarria in the North Carolina House aims to restrict how much local governments can raise property tax levies, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 1089 on April 28 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Const. Amend. Property Tax Levy Limit.’

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

In essence, this bill proposes a North Carolina constitutional amendment requiring the General Assembly to pass general laws that limit how much local governments’ property tax levies may increase, while allowing possible exceptions. The bill directs that the amendment be submitted to voters at the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election with a ballot question asking for or against requiring limits on local property tax increases. If a majority of voters approve, the State Board of Elections must certify the result, the secretary of state must enroll the amendment, and the amendment becomes effective upon certification.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Erin Paré proposed the most bills (46) 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.

Echevarria, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 82nd House district, replacing previous state representative Kristin Baker.