A new bill filed by State Rep. Ben T. Moss Jr. seeks to revise the salary structure for full-time magistrates working at least 40 hours per week, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 511 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Award Magistrates Salary Increases.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill appropriates $11.5 million from the General Fund annually for the 2025-27 fiscal biennium to the Administrative Office of the Courts for salary increases for magistrates in North Carolina. Effective July 1, 2025, the bill revises the salary structure for full-time magistrates who work an average of at least 40 hours per week. Under the new structure, the entry salary is initially set at $56,674, with incremental increases through six steps—ranging from $60,857 at Step 1 to $90,498 at Step 6. Salary increases occur biennially for Steps 1-3 and every four years for Steps 4-6 based on the anniversary of a magistrate’s original appointment.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Charles W. Miller proposed the most bills (29) 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.
Moss, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 52nd House district, replacing previous state representative Jamie Boles.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., and Charles W. Miller | HB 511 | 03/25/2025 | Award Magistrates Salary Increases. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Bill Ward, Joseph Pike, and Keith Kidwell | HB 427 | 03/18/2025 | CCW Permit/No Records Provided. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Joseph Pike, and Keith Kidwell | HB 454 | 03/18/2025 | Review of Federal Acts/Rules/Regulations. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Bill Ward, and Keith Kidwell | HB 236 | 02/26/2025 | Remember 9/11 with Freedom Flag. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Bill Ward, Brian Echevarria, and Diane Wheatley | HB 211 | 02/25/2025 | The Kelsey Smith Act. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr. and Howard Penny, Jr. | HB 153 | 02/18/2025 | DOT/DEQ to Study Safety and Emissions Inspec. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Cody Huneycutt, Mitchell S. Setzer, and Pricey Harrison | HB 120 | 02/13/2025 | Expand Project C.A.R.E./Funds. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Carla D. Cunningham, Dennis Riddell, and Keith Kidwell | HB 107 | 02/12/2025 | Adopt SUDEP Awareness Week. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Blair Eddins, Keith Kidwell, and Wyatt Gable | HB 72 | 02/10/2025 | AG/Restrict Challenge to Presidential EOs. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Bill Ward, and Keith Kidwell | HB 73 | 02/10/2025 | Energy Security Act of 2025. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Bill Ward, Diane Wheatley, and Keith Kidwell | HB 85 | 02/10/2025 | Removal of Precinct Officials. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Diane Wheatley, Jay Adams, and Keith Kidwell | HB 95 | 02/10/2025 | Threaten Elected Official/Increase Punishment. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr. and Cody Huneycutt | HB 71 | 02/06/2025 | Respiratory Care Modernization Act. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Bill Ward, Joseph Pike, and Keith Kidwell | HB 16 | 01/29/2025 | General Assembly: In God We Trust – Display. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Brian Echevarria, Jay Adams, and Keith Kidwell | HB 5 | 01/29/2025 | NC Constitutional Carry Act. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Celeste C. Cairns, David Willis, and Keith Kidwell | HB 7 | 01/29/2025 | NC REACH Act. |
| Ben T. Moss, Jr., Jeffrey C. McNeely, Joseph Pike, and Keith Kidwell | HB 9 | 01/29/2025 | Firearm Discharge/Preempt Local Ordinance. |
