Outdoor sleeping ban vetoed, but override likely
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North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a bill that would ban outdoor camping on most public property statewide, but Republicans appear to have enough votes to override him.
Why it matters: If the veto is overturned, local governments that have already adopted 2026 budgets could have to quickly change how they respond to people experiencing homelessness.
Zoom in: Under House Bill 437, sleeping or camping would be prohibited on public property not specifically intended for recreation. Residents and business owners could sue local governments that don't enforce the ban.
- Local governments could designate specific areas where people may sleep outside, but they would have to provide bathrooms and access to mental health and substance use counseling.
- The legislation also upgrades punishments for drug offenses committed at locations where homeless services are provided.
What they're saying: Stein called it a "poorly constructed bill" that would be a burden to local governments and make it harder for people to get back on their feet.
- "I have long called for funding to crack down on drug trafficking, invest in behavioral health, and expand affordable housing options — because homelessness and substance misuse are real problems that deserve real solutions, not this bill," Stein wrote in a statement.
The other side: Republicans have argued federal funding could be at risk if existing statutes aren't changed.
- President Trump last year instructed federal agencies to prioritize awarding grants to states that enforce such bans.
State of play: Seven non-GOP representatives voted for the bill, easily giving Republicans the margins needed for veto override votes.
- Supporters include Rep. Abe Jones, a Raleigh Democrat, and Charlotte's unaffiliated lame-duck Reps. Carla Cunningham and Nasif Majeed.
- If the House and Senate override Stein's veto, portions of the bill would immediately become law. Others would phase in by June 30, 2027.
What's next: Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Raleigh the final week of July.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that just portions of the bill (not the entire bill) would become law if Gov. Stein's veto is overridden, with the rest being phased in by next June 30.