summary
Introduced
01/29/2025
01/29/2025
In Committee
09/25/2025
09/25/2025
Crossed Over
02/13/2025
02/13/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT TO ENHANCE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR POLITICALLY MOTIVATED ACTS OF VIOLENCE. Whereas, a functioning democracy depends on the ability of citizens to engage in public discourse through protest, debate, advocacy, and speech, without fear of retribution or violence; and Whereas, political rhetoric, heated debate, and passionate disagreement are part of the American tradition, but violence in response to those ideas is not; and Whereas, elected officials, public servants, campus speakers, political candidates, journalists, and everyday citizens have increasingly become the targets of threats, harassment, and physical attacks simply for expressing political views; and Whereas, public campuses, political rallies, and social media platforms have become modern battlegrounds for ideological suppression, where disagreement is met not with argument, but with intimidation and, at times, acts of violence; and Whereas, recent years have seen a disturbing rise in politically motivated violent acts, including the attempted assassination of Congressman Steve Scalise in 2017, the attempted assassination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022, the multiple assassination attempts on President Donald J. Trump in 2024, as well as the arson attack on Governor Shapiro's Residence in Pennsylvania, the assassination of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman, and most recently, the horrific and public assassination of Charlie Kirk in 2025; and Whereas, these attacks are not random, but intentional efforts to silence speech, suppress dissent, and enforce ideological conformity through terror; and Whereas, politically motivated violence is not merely criminal, it is an attack on the First Amendment, on civil society, and on the American way of life; and Whereas, the State of North Carolina reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles of free expression, civil dialogue, and peaceful political engagement; and Whereas, it is the duty of this General Assembly to protect its citizens, its public servants, and its democratic institutions from those who would use violence to silence political beliefs; Now, therefore,
AI Summary
This bill introduces comprehensive legal provisions aimed at addressing politically motivated violence in North Carolina by creating new definitions, enhancing criminal penalties, and establishing special procedural protections. The bill defines a "Politically Motivated Act of Violence" as a criminal offense where the offender intentionally targets a victim because of their political beliefs, viewpoints, affiliations, or political activities. It adds this definition as an aggravating factor in criminal sentencing, which means offenders convicted of such crimes will face increased penalties, including being sentenced one felony class higher than the original offense and becoming ineligible for parole or early release. The bill also allows political motivation to be proven through direct or circumstantial evidence like statements, manifestos, or targeting patterns. Additionally, in capital cases, political motivation can be considered an aggravating circumstance that may influence death penalty decisions. The legislation requires district attorneys to notify the Attorney General about such cases and allows for the assignment of special prosecutors. Victims or their next of kin are granted additional rights to provide impact statements during criminal proceedings related to politically motivated violence. The bill is set to become effective on December 1, 2025, and will apply to offenses committed on or after that date, with a severability clause ensuring that if any part of the act is found invalid, the rest can still be implemented.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Government Affairs, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (on 09/25/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S13 |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S13v3.pdf |
| Analysis - Summary S13-SMCN-61(e3)-v-2 | https://dashboard.ncleg.gov/api/Services/BillSummary/2025/S13-SMCN-61(e3)-v-2 |
| Analysis - Summary S13-SMCN-60(CSCV-33)-v-3 | https://dashboard.ncleg.gov/api/Services/BillSummary/2025/S13-SMCN-60(CSCV-33)-v-3 |
| Analysis - Summary S13-SMTU-3(e2)-v-2 | https://dashboard.ncleg.gov/api/Services/BillSummary/2025/S13-SMTU-3(e2)-v-2 |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S13v2.pdf |
| Analysis - Summary S13-SMTU-2(e1)-v-2 | https://dashboard.ncleg.gov/api/Services/BillSummary/2025/S13-SMTU-2(e1)-v-2 |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S13v1.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S13v0.pdf |
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