A new bill filed by State Rep. Matthew Winslow in the North Carolina House seeks to establish a program certifying citizen pilots to assist in emergency response and recovery during disasters, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 895 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Emergency Citizen Pilot Training Program.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes the Emergency Citizen Pilot Training Program within the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Public Safety in North Carolina. Its goal is to certify citizen pilots to support emergency response and recovery efforts during declared disasters. The program will provide educational courses on assisting state and federal operations, methods for private aerial assistance, and other necessary skills. Participants may be charged a fee up to $500, and after graduation, they will be listed in a maintained registry. The program requires pilots to maintain active status through continuous training. It involves coordination with multiple agencies, including the State Emergency Response Team and FEMA. The Division will develop rules for implementation by Jan. 1, 2027. This act also amends existing statutes to include emergency citizen pilots in emergency leave policies and personnel definitions. Sections 1, 2, and 3 take effect on Oct. 1, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Jennifer Balkcom proposed the most bills (40) 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.
Winslow graduated from East Carolina University with a BS.
Winslow, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 7th House district, replacing previous state representative Lisa Barnes.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Winslow, Jennifer Balkcom, John R. Bell, IV, and Karl E. Gillespie | HB 895 | 04/10/2025 | Emergency Citizen Pilot Training Program. |
| Matthew Winslow, Brian Biggs, David Willis, and Erin Paré | HB 912 | 04/10/2025 | The Hometown Opp. for Mentoring Educators Act. |
| Matthew Winslow, Celeste C. Cairns, Stephen M. Ross, and Steve Tyson | HB 992 | 04/10/2025 | Timeshare Foreclosures. |
| Matthew Winslow, Allen Chesser, and Jonathan L. Almond | HB 874 | 04/09/2025 | North Carolina Healthy Schools Act. |
| Matthew Winslow, Jeff Zenger, Karl E. Gillespie, and Mark Brody | HB 876 | 04/09/2025 | Development Application Review Time Lines. |
| Matthew Winslow, Allen Chesser, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 829 | 04/08/2025 | Locksmith Licensing Act Modernization. |
| Matthew Winslow, Hugh Blackwell, Jake Johnson, and Zack Hawkins | HB 819 | 04/07/2025 | DIT Agency Bill. |
| Matthew Winslow, Carla D. Cunningham, Jeff Zenger, and Mark Brody | HB 765 | 04/03/2025 | Save the American Dream Act. |
| Matthew Winslow, Jeff Zenger, Mark Brody, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 768 | 04/03/2025 | Clarify Emerg. Comm. Exemptions/Fire Code. |
| Matthew Winslow, Diane Wheatley, Edward C. Goodwin, and Phil Shepard | HB 703 | 04/02/2025 | Memorials in Veterans Cemeteries. |
| Matthew Winslow, Erin Paré, Jake Johnson, and Steve Tyson | HB 581 | 03/31/2025 | Career Pathways Transparency Act. |
| Matthew Winslow, Harry Warren, Jennifer Balkcom, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 593 | 03/31/2025 | Local Government Audits. |
| Matthew Winslow, Dennis Riddell, and Jay Adams | HB 609 | 03/31/2025 | Option for Raw Milk Consumption. |
| Matthew Winslow and Vernetta Alston | HB 627 | 03/31/2025 | Regulation of Accessory Dwelling Units. |
| Matthew Winslow, David Willis, Kyle Hall, and Ray Pickett | HB 490 | 03/24/2025 | Propel NC Funding and Tuition Surcharge. |
| Matthew Winslow, Erin Paré, Jarrod Lowery, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 465 | 03/19/2025 | Waive Renewal Fee/Military Drivers Licenses. |
| Matthew Winslow, Brian Echevarria, Jimmy Dixon, and Neal Jackson | HB 432 | 03/18/2025 | Property Tax Relief Study. |
| Matthew Winslow, Donnie Loftis, Donny Lambeth, and Jonathan L. Almond | HB 440 | 03/18/2025 | Healthy Food Healthy Bodies. |
| Matthew Winslow, Allen Chesser, Erin Paré, and Steve Tyson | HB 364 | 03/11/2025 | STIP Grant Anticipation Notes. |
| Matthew Winslow, Mike Schietzelt, Phil Rubin, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 360 | 03/10/2025 | Homeowner Protection Act. |
| Matthew Winslow, Mike Schietzelt, Robert T. Reives, II, and Ya Liu | HB 361 | 03/10/2025 | Funds to Fight Deed and Title Fraud. |
| Matthew Winslow, Carson Smith, Edward C. Goodwin, and Joseph Pike | HB 299 | 03/05/2025 | Increase Disabled Veteran Prop Tax Benefit. |
| Matthew Winslow, Carla D. Cunningham, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 314 | 03/05/2025 | Removal of Squatters from Private Property. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 286 | 03/04/2025 | SchCalFlex/Vance/Open Cal. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 287 | 03/04/2025 | SchCalFlex/Franklin/Open Cal. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 291 | 03/04/2025 | Franklinton Annexations. |
| Matthew Winslow, Brenden H. Jones, Jake Johnson, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 222 | 02/25/2025 | C.O.O.P.E.R. Accountability Act. |
| Matthew Winslow, Celeste C. Cairns, and Steve Tyson | HB 159 | 02/21/2025 | Orphan Roads Maintenance Program Grant. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 58 | 02/04/2025 | Various Local Elections. |
| Matthew Winslow, Erin Paré, Keith Kidwell, and Steve Tyson | HB 14 | 01/29/2025 | Gambling Loss Tax Deduct, NC Sound Money Act. |
