Rep. Reives files bill in North Carolina House to fund railroads and airports

A new bill filed by State Rep. Reives seeks to establish dedicated funds to support economic development for railroads and airports in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 752 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Transportation Economic Development Funding.’

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

In essence, this bill establishes special economic development funds within the General Fund for railroads and airports, designating $50 million and $100 million, respectively, in nonrecurring funds. The Railroad Economic Development Fund will support rail construction, improvements, industry connections, and acquisitions, ensuring no more than 60% of allocations for state matches on federal grants and 30% for project preparation. The Airport Economic Development Fund will fund capital improvements and economically strategic flights, with limitations on how funds can be allocated for improvements and safety enhancements. Additionally, $30 million is allocated to construct a roll-on-roll-off facility at the Port of Morehead City. This act becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Reives proposed the most bills (29) 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.