North Carolina lawmaker introduces bill to allow tax breaks for prescription drug expenses

Allen Chesser, North Carolina State Representative from 25th District
Allen Chesser, North Carolina State Representative from 25th District
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State Rep. Allen Chesser has submitted a new bill in the North Carolina House designed to lower state income tax obligations for individuals with sizable prescription drug expenses, as outlined by the North Carolina State House.

The legislation, presented as HB 1074 on April 28 during the 2025 regular session, received the short title: ‘Prescription Drug Expenses Tax Deduction.’

Below is our summary based on the actual bill text, with clarifications included.

This bill would permit taxpayers in North Carolina to subtract up to $5,000 from adjusted gross income for unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenditures on prescribed drugs and pharmacy related cost-sharing. Expenses covered by tax-advantaged accounts, such as flexible spending or health savings accounts, are not eligible, nor are amounts already deducted elsewhere under state law for the same tax year. The aim is to decrease state income taxes for those with considerable prescription medication expenses. The measure would be effective for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026.

Among the four sponsors of the bill, Grant L. Campbell, MD was responsible for filing the most bills (62) during the 2025 regular session.

Legislation in North Carolina must move through a multi-step process before it becomes law. After a bill is filed, it is referred to a committee for consideration. The legislation has to be read three times in each chamber. When changes occur after passage in one chamber, both must agree on the amended text. The final approved bill goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is out of session) to sign, veto, or let it pass into law without signing.

Additional details on these and other measures can be accessed here.

Chesser earned a BS from North Carolina Wesleyan University in 2019.

Chesser, a Republican elected in 2023, serves the 25th House district in the North Carolina State House, following former representative James Gailliard.

Bills Introduced by Your Representatives in North Carolina House During 2025 Regular Session

Authors Bill Number Date Filed Title
Allen Chesser, Erin Paré, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Timothy Reeder, MD HB 1074 04/28/2026 Prescription Drug Expenses Tax Deduction.
Allen Chesser, Celeste C. Cairns, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Timothy Reeder, MD HB 1081 04/28/2026 Funds for Veterans/HBOT.
Allen Chesser, Heather H. Rhyne, Mike Schietzelt, and Timothy Reeder, MD HB 1083 04/28/2026 Voluntary Portable Benefits Plan Act.
Allen Chesser, Donnie Loftis, Erin Paré, and Hugh Blackwell HB 1020 04/21/2026 PESA Class Aides & Child. Wartime Vets Funds.
Allen Chesser, David Willis, Mike Schietzelt, and Stephen M. Ross HB 1029 04/21/2026 NC Digital Asset and Stablecoin Act.
Allen Chesser, Erin Paré, Mike Schietzelt, and Timothy Reeder, MD HB 1032 04/21/2026 Repeal Two Percent Local Grocery Tax.
Allen Chesser, Dennis Riddell, and Tricia Ann Cotham HB 905 04/10/2025 Public School Part-Time Enrollment.
Allen Chesser, Mike Schietzelt, and Vernetta Alston HB 923 04/10/2025 Protect Personal Info/Judicial Personnel.
Allen Chesser, Dennis Riddell, and Jeff Zenger HB 926 04/10/2025 Regulatory Reform Act of 2025.
Allen Chesser, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Carla D. Cunningham, and Celeste C. Cairns HB 928 04/10/2025 Allow PTs in School Concussion Protocol.
Allen Chesser HB 980 04/10/2025 Remove Barriers to Employment from Court Debt.
Allen Chesser and Phil Rubin HB 868 04/09/2025 Due Process in LEO Field Drug Testing.
Allen Chesser, Jonathan L. Almond, and Matthew Winslow HB 874 04/09/2025 North Carolina Healthy Schools Act.
Allen Chesser, Jonathan L. Almond, Mike Schietzelt, and Wyatt Gable HB 886 04/09/2025 AEDs and CPR in Public Schools.
Allen Chesser, Matthew Winslow, and Mike Schietzelt HB 829 04/08/2025 Locksmith Licensing Act Modernization.
Allen Chesser and Jarrod Lowery HB 833 04/08/2025 The FRESH Act.
Allen Chesser, Carson Smith, Mike Schietzelt, and Timothy Reeder, MD HB 789 04/03/2025 Mitigating Factor/Pretrial Use of IID.
Allen Chesser, Frank Iler, Jeffrey C. McNeely, and Phil Shepard HB 652 04/01/2025 Transportation Goods Unit Pricing Cost.
Allen Chesser, Donny Lambeth, Erin Paré, and Larry W. Potts HB 672 04/01/2025 Physician Assist. Omnibus/Team-based/Compact.
Allen Chesser, Timothy Reeder, MD, and Tricia Ann Cotham HB 680 04/01/2025 The Protect Children from Cannabis Act.
Allen Chesser, Sarah Crawford, and Timothy Reeder, MD HB 681 04/01/2025 Update Opioid Abatement Treatment Prog. Rules.
Allen Chesser, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Sarah Crawford HB 682 04/01/2025 Public Safety Through Food Access Act.
Allen Chesser and Jeffrey C. McNeely HB 607 03/31/2025 Regulate Hemp Consumable Products.
Allen Chesser, Donnie Loftis, John R. Bell, IV, and Vernetta Alston HB 612 03/31/2025 Fostering Care in NC Act.
Allen Chesser, Erin Paré, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Timothy Reeder, MD HB 571 03/27/2025 Funds for PTSD Treatment for Police Officers.
Allen Chesser, Brenden H. Jones, David Willis, and Grant L. Campbell, MD HB 572 03/27/2025 Veterans/eTMS Pilot Program.
Allen Chesser, Cody Huneycutt, Heather H. Rhyne, and Kyle Hall HB 574 03/27/2025 Workforce Development Pilot Project.
Allen Chesser, Donny Lambeth, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Heather H. Rhyne HB 536 03/26/2025 Physical Therapy Practice Act Mods.
Allen Chesser, Diane Wheatley, Edward C. Goodwin, and John R. Bell, IV HB 540 03/26/2025 Additional Funds for Patriot Star Scholarship.
Allen Chesser, Donna McDowell White, Heather H. Rhyne, and Timothy Reeder, MD HB 546 03/26/2025 Inmate Medicaid Suspension/Team-Based Care.
Allen Chesser, Jennifer Balkcom, Mike Schietzelt, and Neal Jackson HB 547 03/26/2025 Children’s Services Protection Act.
Allen Chesser, Brandon Lofton, Heather H. Rhyne, and Kyle Hall HB 517 03/25/2025 Modify Nonprofit Corp. Act/Charitable Org.
Allen Chesser, Grant L. Campbell, MD, Jeffrey C. McNeely, and Tricia Ann Cotham HB 468 03/20/2025 Regulate Kratom Products.
Allen Chesser, Neal Jackson, Terry M. Brown Jr., and Tim Longest HB 462 03/19/2025 Personal Data Privacy/Social Media Safety.
Allen Chesser, Heather H. Rhyne, and Ray Pickett HB 437 03/18/2025 Establish Drug-Free Homeless Service Zones.
Allen Chesser, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Cody Huneycutt HB 450 03/18/2025 Private Property Rights Act.
Allen Chesser, Jeff Zenger, John R. Bell, IV, and Mike Schietzelt HB 402 03/13/2025 Limit Rules With Substantial Financial Costs.
Allen Chesser, Erin Paré, Matthew Winslow, and Steve Tyson HB 364 03/11/2025 STIP Grant Anticipation Notes.
Allen Chesser, Heather H. Rhyne, Jake Johnson, and Mike Schietzelt HB 372 03/11/2025 Home-Based Business Fairness Act.
Allen Chesser, David Willis, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Ray Pickett HB 373 03/11/2025 UNC Tuition Discounts for Certain Students.
Allen Chesser, Cody Huneycutt, Heather H. Rhyne, and Kyle Hall HB 351 03/10/2025 Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program/Funds.
Allen Chesser HB 332 03/06/2025 Nash/Rocky Mount District Occupancy Tax.
Allen Chesser, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Jeff Zenger HB 272 03/04/2025 The Sergeant Mickey Hutchens Act.
Allen Chesser, Bill Ward, Brenden H. Jones, and Jarrod Lowery HB 224 02/26/2025 Strengthen Our Tribal Communities Act.
Allen Chesser, Charles Smith, Dennis Riddell, and Edward C. Goodwin HB 227 02/26/2025 U.S. & N.C. Flags/Made In USA.
Allen Chesser, Donnie Loftis, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Mike Schietzelt HB 118 02/13/2025 Disabled Veterans Tax Relief Bill.
Allen Chesser, Brian Biggs, and Jarrod Lowery HB 112 02/12/2025 Increase Permissible Interstate Speed Limit.
Allen Chesser, Allen Buansi, Jarrod Lowery, and Terry M. Brown Jr. HB 93 02/10/2025 Constitutional Amendment/Repeal Literacy Test.
Allen Chesser, Edward C. Goodwin, Erin Paré, and Jennifer Balkcom HB 94 02/10/2025 Dis. Veteran Homestead Excl. Prequalification.
Allen Chesser, Dante Pittman, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Kelly E. Hastings HB 69 02/06/2025 Military and Veterans Educational Promise Act.
Allen Chesser, Donny Lambeth, Erin Paré, and Kyle Hall HB 46 02/04/2025 Make Healthcare Affordable.
Allen Chesser, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Tricia Ann Cotham HB 50 02/04/2025 LEO Special Separation Allowance Options.
Allen Chesser, Brenden H. Jones, Heather H. Rhyne, and Jay Adams HB 35 02/03/2025 Establish Military Appreciation Month.
Allen Chesser, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Edward C. Goodwin HB 38 02/03/2025 Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act.
Allen Chesser, Erin Paré, Harry Warren, and John R. Bell, IV HB 11 01/29/2025 No Tax on Tips, Overtime, Bonus Pay.


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