A new bill filed by State Rep. Paul Scott aims to address secondary effects of adult businesses by imposing entry fees and directing funds to support sexual assault services, 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.
Scott graduated from Heriot-Watt University.
Scott, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 111st House district, replacing previous state representative Timothy K. Moore.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Scott, Dennis Riddell, Monika Johnson-Hostler, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 1121 | 04/29/2026 | Added Fee for Sexually Oriented Businesses. |
| Paul Scott, Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, and Neal Jackson | HB 919 | 04/10/2025 | Fair Access to Financial Services. |
| Paul Scott, Blair Eddins, Brian Biggs, and Neal Jackson | HB 939 | 04/10/2025 | School Chaplains. |
| Paul Scott, Brian Biggs, and Neal Jackson | HB 975 | 04/10/2025 | EMS Personnel/Allow Carry of Pepper Spray. |
| Paul Scott, Brian Turner, Dennis Riddell, and Mark Brody | HB 997 | 04/10/2025 | Certify Reading of NC Constitution. |
| Paul Scott | HB 847 | 04/09/2025 | Off-Road Motorcycle Registration Eligibility. |
| Paul Scott and John A. Torbett | HB 848 | 04/09/2025 | Cleveland Cultivation of Excellence Pilot. |
| Paul Scott, Brandon Lofton, Brian Biggs, and Hugh Blackwell | HB 855 | 04/09/2025 | Residency Licenses for Nonpublic EC Teachers. |
| Paul Scott, Cody Huneycutt, and Grant L. Campbell, MD | HB 893 | 04/09/2025 | Chiropractic Investigatory Costs. |
| Paul Scott and Brian Echevarria | HB 825 | 04/08/2025 | Election Improvements. |
| Paul Scott | HB 827 | 04/08/2025 | Create Annual Sex Off Registry Fee. |
| Paul Scott and Jake Johnson | HB 582 | 03/31/2025 | Providing Relief to Impacted Families Act. |
| Paul Scott, Donnie Loftis, Howard Penny, Jr., and Stephen M. Ross | HB 368 | 03/11/2025 | Revise Child Passenger Restraint System Law. |
| Paul Scott, Heather H. Rhyne, Howard Penny, Jr., and Jonathan L. Almond | HB 239 | 02/26/2025 | Change to EC Funding Formula. |
| Paul Scott, Donny Lambeth, Harry Warren, and John M. Blust | HB 142 | 02/17/2025 | Implement Zero-Based Budgeting. |
| Paul Scott, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., John Sauls, and Neal Jackson | HB 100 | 02/11/2025 | Expand Religious Property Tax Exemption. |
| Paul Scott, David Willis, and Todd Carver | HB 106 | 02/11/2025 | Revive High-Need Retired Teachers Program. |
| Paul Scott, Cody Huneycutt, Julia C. Howard, and Steve Tyson | HB 97 | 02/11/2025 | Support Firefighters Fighting Cancer. |
| Paul Scott, Keith Kidwell, Steve Tyson, and Wyatt Gable | HB 66 | 02/05/2025 | Reduce Early Voting Period. |
| Paul Scott, Chris Humphrey, and Harry Warren | HB 53 | 02/04/2025 | Increase Accident Thresholds/Safe Driver Plan. |
| Paul Scott, Cody Huneycutt, Julia C. Howard, and Neal Jackson | HB 37 | 02/03/2025 | Enhance Firefighter Benefits & Representation. |
| Paul Scott, Erin Paré, Jeff Zenger, and Kelly E. Hastings | HB 15 | 01/29/2025 | Support Private Property Rights. |
