Rep. Reives files bill in North Carolina House to expand regional transit service areas

A new bill filed by State Rep. Robert T. Reives, II seeks to expand regional public transportation services by removing territorial limits on buspool, vanpool, and carpool operations, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 363 on March 11 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Reg. Public Trans. Authority Service Area.’

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

In essence, this bill permits regional public transportation authorities in North Carolina to operate a buspool service beyond their current territorial jurisdiction, expanding the current 10-mile limit for service areas. The bill amends existing statutes to ensure that the public transportation system can extend its reach, removing restrictions specifically for buspool, vanpool, and carpool services. The intent is to enhance regional connectivity and provide more flexible transportation options without geographical constraints. Effective July 1, 2025, this act seeks to support greater mobility and transit development across extended areas while maintaining the ability of local governments to regulate services within their jurisdictions.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Donna McDowell White proposed the most bills (16) 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.