Sen. Murdock files bill in North Carolina Senate to ratify equal rights amendment

A new bill filed by Sen. Murdock seeks to affirm North Carolina’s ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, emphasizing legal equality regardless of sex, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 438 on March 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘NC Adopt ERA.’

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 officially ratify and affirm the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the United States Constitution on behalf of North Carolina. The ERA, proposed by Congress and valid after ratification by three-fourths of the states, declares that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the U.S. or any state on account of sex. With Virginia becoming the 38th state to ratify it in January 2020, the ERA becomes the 28th Amendment. This legislative action emphasizes North Carolina’s participation in affirming this amendment, forwarding a certified copy of the act to the U.S. Archivist and legislative leaders. The bill becomes effective upon enactment.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Murdock proposed the most bills (37) 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.

Murdock graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA.

Murdock, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2020 to represent the state’s 20th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Mickey Michaux.