A new bill filed by State Rep. Allen Chesser in the North Carolina House seeks to support Indian affairs through funding for commissions, tribes, and educational programs, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 224 on Feb. 26 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Strengthen Our Tribal Communities Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill renames the Indian Gaming Education Revenue Fund and allocates additional funds for various initiatives. It designates $2 million annually for the 2025-27 fiscal biennium to support the North Carolina State Commission of Indian Affairs’ operating expenses and programs. Additionally, the bill appropriates $5.25 million yearly to provide grants to seven non-gaming Indian tribes for cultural, educational, and economic development, along with $400,000 annually for four Urban Indian Organizations with the same objectives. Moreover, the bill sets aside $100,000 annually to support the State Advisory Council on Indian Education and $1.1 million in nonrecurring funds for specific tribal schools and daycare operations in the 2025-26 fiscal year. This act is effective July 1, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Bill Ward proposed the most bills (15) 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.
Chesser graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan University in 2019 with a BS.
Chesser, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 25th House district, replacing previous state representative James Gailliard.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
