A new bill filed by State Sen. Tom McInnis in the North Carolina Senate seeks to enhance efficiency in the Office of Vital Records by setting processing timelines and limiting telework, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 503 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill aims to enhance efficiency within the Office of Vital Records by mandating that all requests to amend birth or death certificates be processed within 30 calendar days of receiving the necessary completed application, proof, and payment. Additionally, it prohibits employees of the Office of Vital Records from teleworking, except during declared emergencies, as determined necessary by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. This restriction applies to both permanent and temporary employees within the office. The act becomes effective immediately upon enactment into law.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Michael A. Lazzara proposed the most bills (38) 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.
Mclnnis, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 21st Senate district, replacing previous state senator Ben Clark.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom McInnis, Michael A. Lazzara, and Vickie Sawyer | SB 503 | 03/25/2025 | A More Efficient Office of Vital Records. |
| Tom McInnis, Bobby Hanig, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 504 | 03/25/2025 | NC Farmland and Military Protection Act. |
| Tom McInnis, Dana Jones, and Michael V. Lee | SB 508 | 03/25/2025 | LL to CPL/Apprenticeship Program. |
| Tom McInnis and David W. Craven, Jr. | SB 595 | 03/25/2025 | Rev Laws Tech Chngs/BBA Chngs/P2P Tax Parity. |
| Tom McInnis and Buck Newton | SB 664 | 03/25/2025 | JMAC Flexibility/ABCLaws/Megasite/Selectsite. |
| Tom McInnis, Steve Jarvis, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 713 | 03/25/2025 | Limit Local Gov’t Environmental Rqmt’s. |
| Tom McInnis, Steve Jarvis, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 387 | 03/24/2025 | Brownfields Property Reuse Act Revisions. |
| Tom McInnis, Steve Jarvis, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 388 | 03/24/2025 | DOT Permit Review Time Periods. |
| Tom McInnis, Michael A. Lazzara, and Vickie Sawyer | SB 450 | 03/24/2025 | Novel Opioid Control Act of 2025. |
| Tom McInnis, Steve Jarvis, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 451 | 03/24/2025 | Occupational/Professional Licensing Relief. |
| Tom McInnis and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 470 | 03/24/2025 | End Block Scheduling. |
| Tom McInnis, Bobby Hanig, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 471 | 03/24/2025 | Horse Race Wagering Modifications. |
| Tom McInnis, Steve Jarvis, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 472 | 03/24/2025 | Amend 401 Certification Process. |
| Tom McInnis, Bobby Hanig, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 291 | 03/13/2025 | Regulation of Short-Term Rentals. |
| Tom McInnis, Eddie D. Settle, and Vickie Sawyer | SB 231 | 03/05/2025 | State Surplus Property/Third-Party Auctions. |
| Tom McInnis, Michael V. Lee, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 223 | 03/03/2025 | Expand Academic Trans. Pathways/Sophomore HS. |
| Tom McInnis, Timothy D. Moffitt, and Todd Johnson | SB 204 | 02/27/2025 | Remove Testing Requirement for Teacher Lisc. |
| Tom McInnis, Steve Jarvis, and Warren Daniel | SB 207 | 02/27/2025 | Litter Law/Rebuttable Presumption. |
| Tom McInnis, Bill Rabon, and Danny Earl Britt, Jr. | SB 220 | 02/27/2025 | Protect Private Property Rights.-AB |
| Tom McInnis and Jim Burgin | SB 126 | 02/21/2025 | Zero-Based Budgeting. |
| Tom McInnis | SB 100 | 02/13/2025 | SchCalFlex/Moore/CC. |
| Tom McInnis | SB 66 | 02/10/2025 | SchCalFlex/Cumberland/CC. |
| Tom McInnis | SB 42 | 02/03/2025 | 21st Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
