H.B. 997
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
May 2, 2024
SESSION 2023 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH40575-LGa-186
Short Title: Honoring NC's Contributions to Civil Rights. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Lofton.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE COMMISSION TO
3 STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING MONUMENTS COMMEMORATING
4 EVENTS AND PERSONS RELATING TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN THE
5 STATE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE
6 COMMISSION TO PLACE MARKERS AT SITES ALONG NORTH CAROLINA'S
7 CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL.
8 Whereas, the civil rights movement mobilized citizens to push for equality and
9 freedom; and
10 Whereas, the gains won during the civil rights movement helped secure rights for all
11 Americans; and
12 Whereas, countless North Carolinians participated in protests, marches, rallies, and
13 Freedom Rides across the State; and
14 Whereas, North Carolina served as the location of significant events that helped
15 advance the civil rights movement, including the creation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating
16 Committee (SNCC), the launch of the sit-in movement, and the filing of desegregation lawsuits;
17 and
18 Whereas, despite this history, there are currently no monuments commemorating our
19 State's contribution to the civil rights movement; Now, therefore,
20 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
21 SECTION 1. The African American Heritage Commission (hereinafter
22 "Commission") is authorized to study the feasibility of establishing monuments commemorating
23 events relating to the civil rights movement in North Carolina and the State's citizens that
24 contributed to the civil rights movement. In conducting its study, the Commission shall hold
25 public hearings/meetings to get citizen input. By May 1, 2025, the Commission shall report its
26 findings and any recommendations for legislation to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee
27 on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources.
28 SECTION 2. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of
29 Natural and Cultural Resources, African American Heritage Commission, the sum of five
30 hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to aid
31 the Commission in its current work of placing markers, signage, and other memorials to
32 commemorate significant cultural or historical importance relating to North Carolina's Civil
33 Rights Trail.
34 SECTION 3. This act becomes effective July 1, 2024.
*DRH40575-LGa-186*