Rep. Reives files bill in North Carolina House to amend research district laws

A new bill filed by State Rep. Robert T. Reives, II seeks to update North Carolina’s regulations on research and urban research service districts, aiming to clarify governance and financing provisions, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 532 on March 26 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘County Service Districts/Research & URSD.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill seeks to amend North Carolina laws regarding research and production service districts (RPSD) and urban research service districts (URSD). It revises provisions for establishing advisory committees for these districts, requiring at least 10 members, and detailing appointment procedures including developer representation. The bill permits a county to define these districts and mandates that services, facilities, or functions be provided within one year of defining the district. For financing, counties may levy property taxes up to 20 cents per $100 value for these districts, with additional guidelines on service provision taxes within the URSD. The bill also clarifies the rules for multi-county districts, extending district services, and authorizes property taxes for various public purposes. It will take effect upon becoming law.

A related bill, SB 731, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Natalie S. Murdock on March 25, 2025.

Reives proposed another 17 bills 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.

Reives graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992 with a BA and again in 1995 from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a JD.

Reives, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2014 to represent the state’s 54th House district, replacing previous state representative Deb McManus.