June 24, 2025 — On Monday, June 23, the North Carolina Senate advanced a bill that provides temporary compensation for commercial fishermen who will be deeply affected by a proposed shrimp trawling ban in a related bill, House Bill 442.
House Bill 441 passed 45-2 in its second reading on Monday night, with only Senators Bobby Hanig and Norman Sanderson casting a “no” vote. A third reading and final vote is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24.
Senator Hanig proposed multiple amendments to House Bill 441 prior to the second vote, which were rejected, similar to his efforts last week before the passing of House Bill 442.
House Bill 441 was gutted by the Senate just a few days before it passed its second reading, changing its verbiage and intent.
Originally entitled “An act to adopt the Loggerhead Sea Turtle as the official saltwater reptile of the state of North Carolina,” this innocuous turtle-related bill passed 113-0 in the N.C. House on May 7, 2025.
The revised HB 441 bill – different in every aspect but the House Bill number – has the title “Shrimp Trawling Transition Program/Fees” and it outlines a temporary payment plan for commercial fishermen who will face future losses as a result of a shrimp trawling ban.