A new bill filed by State Rep. B. Ray Jeffers in the North Carolina House seeks to prioritize in-state applicants in educator preparation programs within the UNC system, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 639 on April 1 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Prioritize In-State Applicants/UNC Ed Schools.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates that all educator preparation programs within the University of North Carolina system must prioritize in-state applicants for admission. Specifically, it requires that these programs give first priority to applicants who qualify as residents for tuition purposes, based on established criteria and a centralized residency determination process. The bill is set to take effect upon becoming law and will apply to admissions for the 2025-26 academic year.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Zack Hawkins proposed the most bills (21) 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.
Jeffers, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 2nd House district, replacing previous state representative Larry Yarborough.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| B. Ray Jeffers, Amber M. Baker, James Roberson, and Zack Hawkins | HB 639 | 04/01/2025 | Prioritize In-State Applicants/UNC Ed Schools. |
| B. Ray Jeffers, Bryan Cohn, Dante Pittman, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 685 | 04/01/2025 | Rural NC Reinvestment Act. |
| B. Ray Jeffers, Jeffrey C. McNeely, and Jerry “Alan” Branson | HB 577 | 03/31/2025 | Protect Towers and Truckers Act. |
| B. Ray Jeffers, James Roberson, Renée A. Price, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 601 | 03/31/2025 | Funds for Facilities of DAV Organizations. |
| B. Ray Jeffers, Dante Pittman, Eric Ager, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 617 | 03/31/2025 | Supporting Small Farmers for NC’s Future Act. |
| B. Ray Jeffers, Bryan Cohn, Dante Pittman, and Sarah Crawford | HB 619 | 03/31/2025 | Health Care Security Act. |
| B. Ray Jeffers, Howard Penny, Jr., Jimmy Dixon, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 552 | 03/27/2025 | Ag Manufacturing Economic Development. |
| B. Ray Jeffers, Allen Buansi, Renée A. Price, and Zack Hawkins | HB 416 | 03/17/2025 | Funds for Boys & Girls Clubs. |
| B. Ray Jeffers, Cody Huneycutt, and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 348 | 03/10/2025 | Annexation of PUV Land/School Capacity. |
| B. Ray Jeffers, Charles W. Miller, Kyle Hall, and Sarah Crawford | HB 258 | 03/03/2025 | Utility Worker Protection Act. |
| B. Ray Jeffers | HB 263 | 03/03/2025 | Down-Zoning/Person & Durham Cos. |
| B. Ray Jeffers | HB 241 | 02/26/2025 | Funds for Person County Projects. |
| B. Ray Jeffers | HB 243 | 02/26/2025 | Durham/Electronic Notices for Public Hearings. |
| B. Ray Jeffers | HB 191 | 02/25/2025 | SchCalFlex/Durham,Person/Aug 10 & Assmnts. |
| B. Ray Jeffers, Marcia Morey, Vernetta Alston, and Zack Hawkins | HB 208 | 02/25/2025 | Partnership for Children Information Access. |
| B. Ray Jeffers, Marcia Morey, Vernetta Alston, and Zack Hawkins | HB 209 | 02/25/2025 | Employee Housing/Durham County. |
