S1082 • 2025

NC Right to Work Amendment.

Agriculture Elections Energy Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Ford, Alexander, Jarvis, Berger, Brinson, Britt, Burgin, Corbin, Craven, Galey, Hanig, Hollo, Johnson, Jones, Lee, McInnis, Measmer, Moffitt, B. Newton, Overcash, Rabon, Sanderson, Sawrey, Sawyer, Settle
Last action: 2026-05-20
Official status: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

NC Right to Work Amendment.

S1082-SMBR-112(e1)-v-2 (2026-05-18): NC Right to Work Amendment.

What This Bill Does

S1082-SMBR-112(e1)-v-2 (2026-05-18): NC Right to Work Amendment.
S1082-SMBR-113(e1)-v-2 (2026-05-19): NC Right to Work Amendment.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

S1082-SMBR-112(e1)-v-2

None

Filed

Plain English: 2025-2026 General Assembly SENATE BILL 1082: NC Right to Work Amendment.

2025-2026 General Assembly SENATE BILL 1082: NC Right to Work Amendment.
Committee: Senate Agriculture, Energy, and Environment.
If favorable, re -refer to Rules and Operations of the Senate Date: May 18, 2026 Introduced by: Sens.
Ford, Alexander, Jarvis Prepared by: Kyle Evans Committee Counsel Analysis of: First Edition Kara McCraw Director *S1082-SMBR-112(e1)-v-2* Legislative Analysis Division 919-733-2578 This bill analysis was prepared by the nonpartisan legislative staff for the use of legislators in their deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.

S1082-SMBR-113(e1)-v-2

None

Filed

Plain English: 2025-2026 General Assembly SENATE BILL 1082: NC Right to Work Amendment.

2025-2026 General Assembly SENATE BILL 1082: NC Right to Work Amendment.
Committee: Senate Rules and Operations of the Senate Date: May 19, 2026 Introduced by: Sens.
Ford, Alexander, Jarvis Prepared by: Kyle Evans Committee Counsel Analysis of: First Edition Kara McCraw Director *S1082-SMBR-113(e1)-v-2* Legislative Analysis Division 919-733-2578 This bill analysis was prepared by the nonpartisan legislative staff for the use of legislators in their deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
OVERVIEW: Senate Bill 1082 would propose an amendment to the North Carolina Constitution to declare that it is the public policy of the State that the right of persons to work shall not be denied or abridged on account of membership or nonmembership in any labor organization, union or association, and places that amendment on the ballot in the 2026 general election.

Bill History

2026-05-20 House
Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
2026-05-20 House
Passed 1st Reading
2026-05-20 House
Special Message Received From Senate
2026-05-20 Senate
Special Message Sent To House
2026-05-20 Senate
Special Message Sent To House
2026-05-20 Senate
Passed 3rd Reading
2026-05-20 Senate
Passed 2nd Reading
2026-05-20 Senate
Amend Tabled A6
2026-05-20 Senate
Amend Tabled A5
2026-05-20 Senate
Amend Tabled A4
2026-05-20 Senate
Amend Tabled A3
2026-05-20 Senate
Amend Tabled A2
2026-05-20 Senate
Amend Tabled A1
2026-05-19 Senate
Reptd Fav
2026-05-18 Senate
Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
2026-05-18 Senate
Reptd Fav
2026-05-18 Senate
Ref to Agriculture, Energy, and Environment. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
2026-05-18 Senate
Passed 1st Reading
2026-05-14 Senate
Filed

Official Summary Text

S1082-SMBR-112(e1)-v-2
(2026-05-18): NC Right to Work Amendment.
S1082-SMBR-113(e1)-v-2
(2026-05-19): NC Right to Work Amendment.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 1082

Short Title: NC Right to Work Amendment. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Ford, Alexander, and Jarvis (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Agriculture, Energy, and Environment
May 18, 2026
*S1082-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF NORT H CAROLINA TO ENSURE THE 2
RIGHT TO WORK FOR ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1.1. Article I of the North Carolina Constitution is amended by adding a 5
new section to read: 6
"Sec. 39. Right to work. 7
The right to live includes the right to work. The exercise of the right to work must be protected 8
and maintained free from undue restraints and coercion. It is the public policy of the State that 9
the right of persons to work shall not be denied or abridged on account of membership or 10
nonmembership in any labor union or labor organization or association. The General Assembly 11
may prescribe general laws to further define and implement this section." 12
SECTION 1.2. The amendment set out in Section 1.1 of this act shall be submitted 13
to the qualified voters of the State at the statewide general election to be held on November 3, 14
2026, which election shall be conducted in accordance with the laws governing elections at that 15
time. The question to be used in the voting systems and ballots shall be: 16
"[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST 17
Constitutional amendment to protect the right of North Carolinians to be employed 18
without being forced to join and pay membership dues to a labor union or association." 19
SECTION 1.3. The State Board of Elections shall certify the results of the 20
referendum conducted under Section 1.2 of this act. If a majority of votes cast on the question 21
are in favor of the amendment set out in Section 1.1 of this act, the Secretary of State shall enroll 22
the amendment among the permanent records of that office. If a majority of votes cast on the 23
question are against the amendment set out in Section 1.1 of t his act, the amendment shall have 24
no effect. 25
SECTION 1.4. If the certification from the State Board of Elections under Section 26
1.3 of this act reflects that a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor of the amendment 27
set out in Section 1.1 of this act, the amendment set out in Section 1.1 of this act is effective upon 28
certification. 29
SECTION 2. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes 30
law. 31