Rep. Arp files religious freedom bill in North Carolina House

A new bill filed by State Rep. Dean Arp in the North Carolina House seeks to safeguard religious exercise from undue burdens imposed by state actions or housing authorities, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 776 on April 3 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘NC Religious Freedom Restoration Act.’

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

In essence, the bill, titled the North Carolina Religious Freedom Restoration Act, seeks to protect religious practices from being restricted by governmental or homeowner association actions that may incidentally burden religion through neutral laws. It establishes that state actions shall not burden religious exercise unless they are essential to a compelling governmental interest and the least restrictive means to achieve it. The legislation allows individuals whose religious exercise has been burdened to seek legal relief, including injunctive and compensatory damages. The bill also amends statutes to prevent discriminatory housing practices against religious gatherings and ensures religious institutions are not subject to additional restrictions during emergencies compared to other entities. This act takes effect upon becoming law and applies to state actions on or after that date.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Neal Jackson proposed the most bills (35) 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.

Arp graduated from The Military College of South Carolina in 1988 with a BS.

Arp, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2013 to represent the state’s 69th House district, replacing previous state representative Frank McGuirt.