Rep. Paré files bill in North Carolina House to study State Highway Patrol staffing and salaries

A new bill filed by State Rep. Erin Paré in the North Carolina House seeks to assess staffing needs and salary scales within the State Highway Patrol across the state, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 794 on April 7 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Study Highway Patrol Staffing/Salary Scale.’

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 State Highway Patrol to conduct a comprehensive study to assess the current staffing requirements and salary scales within the organization. The study will evaluate the overall staffing size necessary for the entire state, as well as the specific troop staffing needs in various regions. Additionally, the review will analyze the existing salary scale for the Patrol as a whole and examine the salary structure for each rank within the organization. The findings and legislative recommendations must be reported by March 1, 2026, to the relevant legislative oversight and appropriations committees. The act will take effect upon becoming law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Grant L. Campbell, MD proposed the most bills (53) 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.

Paré graduated from George Mason University in 2000 with a BA.

Paré, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 37th House district, replacing previous state representative Sydney Batch.