NC House Democrats propose judicial reforms to protect court independence
House Democrats unveil constitutional amendments for Supreme Court ethics and judicial independence after contentious legal battles.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Democratic lawmakers in the North Carolina House introduced three constitutional amendments Wednesday to enhance judicial independence and limit legislative overreach after a year of political battles over the state’s court system.
The proposals include establishing a Supreme Court code of ethics, restructuring the state’s Judicial Standards Commission, and placing new restrictions on the General Assembly’s ability to transfer powers between executive branch officials and Council of State members.
Ethics Code for Supreme Court
House Bill 1234 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring state Supreme Court justices to adhere to a formal ethics code. Justices would need to recuse themselves from cases where they have personal or financial interests and must disclose asset sales, outside income, and sponsored travel.
“This bill is not directed at any one justice, any one case, any one political party. It is about establishing clear constitutional standards that will apply equally to every current and future member of the North Carolina Supreme Court,” said primary sponsor Rep. Deb Butler (D-New Hanover). “These are common sense. These are safeguards for us. In fact, many North Carolinians, I believe, think that this is already part of our constitutional fabric.”
The ethics code would require justices to step aside from cases where they have “a financial interest in the subject” matter, according to the bill text.
Timing Follows Legal Battle
The Democratic proposals follow just over a year after state Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs was sworn into office on May 13, 2025, after a legal dispute with Republican opponent Judge Jefferson Griffin. The battle focused on whether more than 68,000 ballots would be counted in determining the election outcome.
Riggs took her oath of office in the old North Carolina House chamber, marking the end of one of the state’s most closely watched judicial races.
Republican Leadership Silent
Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) did not respond to requests for comment on the proposed amendments.
The three constitutional amendments are part of ongoing political tensions over North Carolina’s judiciary. Beyond the ethics code, the Democratic proposals include plans to overhaul the Judicial Standards Commission and establish new constraints on legislative power transfers within state government.
Butler emphasized that the ethics requirements would apply universally to all current and future Supreme Court justices, regardless of political affiliation. The proposed reforms aim to address what Democrats characterize as threats to judicial independence in the state.
The amendments would need approval from both chambers of the General Assembly and voter ratification to become part of the state constitution.
