A new bill filed by State Rep. Wyatt Gable in the North Carolina House seeks to remove immunization mandates for higher education attendance while preserving religious exemptions, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 89 on Feb. 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘University Vaccination Freedom Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill repeals the immunization requirements for individuals attending colleges or universities in North Carolina, ensuring that immunizations received in other states do not need an official certificate of immunization for higher education attendance. Additionally, it maintains a religious exemption for immunization requirements, allowing individuals with bona fide religious beliefs contrary to these mandates to attend college, university, or school without presenting an immunization certificate. The bill repeals the provision G.S. 130A-155.1, relating to immunization requirements. This act becomes effective upon becoming law and applies starting with the 2026-27 academic year.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Keith Kidwell proposed the most bills (13) 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.
Gable graduated from East Carolina University in 2025 with a BS.
Gable, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 14th House district, replacing previous state representative George Cleveland.
| Legislative Session | Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wyatt Gable, Jonathan L. Almond, Keith Kidwell, and Steve Tyson | HB 89 | 02/10/2025 | University Vaccination Freedom Act. |
| 2025 | Wyatt Gable, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Blair Eddins, and Keith Kidwell | HB 72 | 02/10/2025 | AG/Restrict Challenge to Presidential EOs. |
| 2025 | Wyatt Gable, Keith Kidwell, Paul Scott, and Steve Tyson | HB 66 | 02/05/2025 | Reduce Early Voting Period. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 1071 | 05/22/2024 | Use Methods of Certain Groups/Voter Rolls. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 1072 | 05/22/2024 | Require Disclaimer/Use of AI in Political Ads. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 1017 | 05/02/2024 | Even-Yr. Elections/City of Jacksonville. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 899 | 04/24/2024 | No Firearms Code for Credit Card Transactions. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 905 | 04/24/2024 | Disabled Veteran Motor Vehicle Tax Exemption. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 691 | 04/18/2023 | New Resident/Temporary Concealed Carry Permit. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 701 | 04/18/2023 | Read the Constitution Mandate. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 728 | 04/18/2023 | Weekly Maintenance of Voter Reg. Records. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland and Grey Mills | HB 770 | 04/18/2023 | Cast Vote Records. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland and Grey Mills | HB 772 | 04/18/2023 | Poll Observer Appointments, Access & Activity. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 613 | 04/13/2023 | Access to Voted Ballots. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 489 | 03/27/2023 | Increase Disabled Veteran Prop Tax Benefit. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 469 | 03/23/2023 | Foreclosures/Extend Servicemember Protections. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 471 | 03/23/2023 | State Auditor/Info. Systems/Corrective Action. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 472 | 03/23/2023 | Require State Auditor to be a CPA. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland and Kevin Crutchfield | HB 388 | 03/15/2023 | Campaign Contribution/Expenditure Thresholds. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 394 | 03/15/2023 | Authorize Federal Notaries. |
| 2023 | Frank Sossamon, George G. Cleveland, and Kevin Crutchfield | HB 365 | 03/14/2023 | Require That Jurors Be US Citizens. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 319 | 03/08/2023 | Veteran Registration Plate Modifications. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 303 | 03/07/2023 | Reduce Early One-Stop Voting Days. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 304 | 03/07/2023 | Election Day Integrity Act. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 262 | 03/02/2023 | School Assignment Zones. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 222 | 02/28/2023 | No CV19 Vaccine Mandates for NC Students. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 223 | 02/28/2023 | OSHR/Various SHRA Changes. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 169 | 02/22/2023 | Executive Order Modifications. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 167 | 02/21/2023 | Community Action ID Card Restrictions. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 109 | 02/14/2023 | Certain Prohibitions/Working/Voting Process. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland and Ken Fontenot | HB 107 | 02/13/2023 | Repeal Certificate of Need Laws. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 82 | 02/09/2023 | Clarification/Precinct Voting Data Maintained. |
| 2023 | Frank Sossamon and George G. Cleveland | HB 63 | 02/07/2023 | Verification of Immigration Status – SAVE. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 64 | 02/07/2023 | Fee on Wire Transfers. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 46 | 02/02/2023 | Eliminate Tax on Gov’t Retirees. |
| 2023 | George G. Cleveland | HB 43 | 02/01/2023 | Prohibition of Certain Hormone/Surgery/Minors. |
