Sen. Galey files bill in North Carolina Senate to expand General Statutes Commission

A new bill filed by State Sen. Amy S. Galey in the North Carolina Senate aims to expand the General Statutes Commission’s membership and update appointment procedures, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 858 on April 28 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘GSC Add Member from High Point Law School.’

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

In essence, this bill expands the North Carolina General Statutes Commission from 13 to 14 members by adding one member appointed by the dean of the High Point University School of Law. It updates the statute to list High Point University among the law schools whose deans make appointments and adjusts the schedule so that appointments by the deans of Campbell and High Point universities occur in odd-numbered years. The bill sets the initial High Point appointee’s term from Sept. 1, 2026, to Aug. 31, 2029, and takes effect when it becomes law.

Galey proposed another 46 bills 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.

Galley graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA and again from University of North Carolina with a JD.

Galley, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 25th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Tom McInnis.