Rep. Huneycutt files bill in North Carolina House to ban guaranteed income programs

A new bill filed by State Rep. Huneycutt seeks to prohibit local governments from adopting guaranteed income programs that provide unconditional cash payments to individuals, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 859 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Local Govts/Guaranteed Income Programs.’

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

In essence, this bill prohibits counties and cities in North Carolina from adopting or enforcing any ordinances, resolutions, or policies that create or implement guaranteed income programs. Such programs are defined as those issuing unconditional cash payments to individuals on a regular basis, allowing the funds to be used for any purpose by the recipient. The prohibition excludes programs requiring individuals to seek reemployment, perform work, or attend training in exchange for cash payments. The bill becomes effective upon becoming law.

Huneycutt proposed another 38 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.

Huneycutt graduated from the University of North Carolina in 2014 with a BA.

Huneycutt, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 67th House district, replacing previous state representative Clayton Sasser.