A new bill filed by State Rep. Dennis Riddell seeks to address secondary effects of nudity and alcohol by imposing fees on certain businesses and supporting crisis intervention programs, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 1121 on April 29 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Added Fee for Sexually Oriented Businesses.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill imposes a $10 fee for each customer entry to any sexually oriented business in North Carolina that holds an alcohol permit, with the aim of addressing harmful secondary effects associated with nudity and alcohol. Businesses must track daily customer counts, keep records without personal customer information, and remit the fees and quarterly reports to the Department of Revenue. All collected fees are deposited in the Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Center Fund for use by the North Carolina Council for Women. The council must submit annual reports on total collections and disbursements. The bill takes effect Oct. 1, 2026.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Tricia Ann Cotham proposed the most bills (54) 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.
Riddell graduated from California State University Maritime Academy in 1978 with a BS.
Riddell, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2013 to represent the state’s 64th House district, replacing previous state representative Dan Ingle.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Riddell, Monika Johnson-Hostler, Paul Scott, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 1121 | 04/29/2026 | Added Fee for Sexually Oriented Businesses. |
| Dennis Riddell, Allen Chesser, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 905 | 04/10/2025 | Public School Part-Time Enrollment. |
| Dennis Riddell, Allen Chesser, and Jeff Zenger | HB 926 | 04/10/2025 | Regulatory Reform Act of 2025. |
| Dennis Riddell, Mark Brody, Mike Schietzelt, and Ray Pickett | HB 996 | 04/10/2025 | Further Limit General Fund Operating Budget. |
| Dennis Riddell, Brian Turner, Mark Brody, and Paul Scott | HB 997 | 04/10/2025 | Certify Reading of NC Constitution. |
| Dennis Riddell, Brian Echevarria, and Diane Wheatley | HB 844 | 04/09/2025 | Finding Grace Family Bill. |
| Dennis Riddell, Dudley Greene, Julia Greenfield, and Mike Clampitt | HB 890 | 04/09/2025 | School Internet Emergency Access Act. |
| Dennis Riddell and Harry Warren | HB 693 | 04/02/2025 | Interstate Massage Compact. |
| Dennis Riddell, Jimmy Dixon, and Julia C. Howard | HB 729 | 04/02/2025 | Farmland Protection Act. |
| Dennis Riddell, Jarrod Lowery, Mark Brody, and Steve Tyson | HB 605 | 03/31/2025 | Definitions for Advanced Recycling. |
| Dennis Riddell, Dean Arp, John M. Blust, and Jonathan L. Almond | HB 606 | 03/31/2025 | Civil Procedure Amendment. |
| Dennis Riddell, Jay Adams, and Matthew Winslow | HB 609 | 03/31/2025 | Option for Raw Milk Consumption. |
| Dennis Riddell, Donna McDowell White, Stephen M. Ross, and Ted Davis, Jr. | HB 632 | 03/31/2025 | Amend Hazing Laws. |
| Dennis Riddell, Erin Paré, Heather H. Rhyne, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 488 | 03/24/2025 | Modify School Performance Grades. |
| Dennis Riddell, Dean Arp, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 435 | 03/18/2025 | Mod. Bd. of Eng’ers & Surveyors. |
| Dennis Riddell, Jeff Zenger, and Mark Brody | HB 376 | 03/11/2025 | Various On-Site Wastewater & Well Provisions. |
| Dennis Riddell, Dean Arp, Destin Hall, and John M. Blust | HB 310 | 03/05/2025 | Eminent Domain. |
| Dennis Riddell, Bill Ward, Carla D. Cunningham, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 289 | 03/04/2025 | Add Member to NC Training Standards Commiss. |
| Dennis Riddell, Allen Chesser, Charles Smith, and Edward C. Goodwin | HB 227 | 02/26/2025 | U.S. & N.C. Flags/Made In USA. |
| Dennis Riddell, Brian Echevarria, Donnie Loftis, and John R. Bell, IV | HB 214 | 02/25/2025 | Faithful Article V Commissioner Act. |
| Dennis Riddell and Harry Warren | HB 122 | 02/13/2025 | North Carolina Healing Arts Act. |
| Dennis Riddell, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Carla D. Cunningham, and Keith Kidwell | HB 107 | 02/12/2025 | Adopt SUDEP Awareness Week. |
| Dennis Riddell, Harry Warren, Mark Brody, and Mary Belk | HB 99 | 02/11/2025 | Reflexologists Right to Work Act. |
| Dennis Riddell and Stephen M. Ross | HB 27 | 01/29/2025 | SchCalFlex/Alamance/Open Cal. |
