A new bill filed by State Rep. Phil Shepard seeks to restrict the city of Jacksonville’s planning authority to its contiguous corporate limits, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 333 on March 6 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Jacksonville/ETJ Prohibited.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill restricts the city of Jacksonville from exercising planning and development authority beyond its contiguous corporate limits, overriding any provisions in G.S. 160D-202 or other legal statutes. Upon enactment, Jacksonville will relinquish jurisdiction over areas outside its official boundaries, though existing development regulations and enforcement powers will remain effective in the relinquished areas until the time specified in G.S. 160D-202(h). The bill becomes effective immediately upon becoming law.
Of the two sponsors of this bill, Wyatt Gable proposed the most bills (five) 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.
Shepard, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2011 to represent the state’s 15th House district, replacing previous state representative Robert Grady.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Shepard and Wyatt Gable | HB 333 | 03/06/2025 | Jacksonville/ETJ Prohibited. |
