Rep. Butler files bill in North Carolina House to study microplastics’ impact

A new bill filed by State Rep. Deb Butler in the North Carolina House seeks to direct the Collaboratory to research and address the environmental impact of microplastics in state waters, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 871 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘North Carolina Microplastics Study Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates the North Carolina Collaboratory to study the negative impacts of microplastics in the state’s waters, aiming to develop strategies for mitigation. The Collaboratory, supported by the Department of Environmental Quality, will identify and research plastic particles’ harmful effects on ecosystems, collaborate with stakeholders, and implement preventative measures. Tasks include creating a prioritized research plan, developing sampling methods, characterizing environmental impacts, and devising a risk assessment framework. A comprehensive report with findings and recommendations is due by July 1, 2026. The bill allocates $150,000 from the General Fund, effective July 1, 2025, to support these efforts.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Pricey Harrison proposed the most bills (48) 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.

Butler graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1983 with a BA and again in 1986 from Wake Forest University School of Law with a JD.

Butler, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2017 to represent the state’s 18th House district, replacing previous state representative Susi Hamilton.