State Rep. Rodney D. Pierce has put forward new legislation aiming to enhance government transparency by directing the publication of routine reports on economic opportunity and family economic security in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.
Labeled as HB 1046, the bill was filed April 23 during the 2025 regular session under the short title: ‘NC Economic Progress and Well-Being.’
Below is our summary, derived from the bill text, with clarifications for key points.
Essentially, the bill requires the North Carolina Department of Commerce to compile and release a biennial report at both state and county levels detailing economic opportunity, affordability, and family economic security, relying on existing public data when possible. Covered topics in the report include indicators such as hardship, work and income, household affordability and expenses, education and job training, and community and regional opportunity. The department would also be empowered to add additional county-level indicators they find relevant. Each report must describe its data sources and methods, be submitted to designated legislative entities by Jan. 31 of each odd-numbered year, and published online. A recurring General Fund appropriation of $200,000 would start in the 2026-27 fiscal year, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026.
Among the three sponsors of this legislation, Phil Rubin submitted the highest number of bills (23) in the 2025 session.
In North Carolina, passing legislation involves multiple steps. A member begins by filing a bill, which is then assigned to a committee for consideration. The proposal must be read three times in both chambers, and if either chamber makes changes after passage, both must consent to the final version. Once both chambers approve, the bill is sent to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 when the legislature is out of session) to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without a signature.
Further information on bills and legislative actions can be found here.
Pierce is a 2010 graduate of Halifax Community College, earning an AA, and later obtained his BA from North Carolina Wesleyan University.
A Democrat, Pierce was elected in 2025 to represent the 27th House district in the North Carolina State House, succeeding Michael Wray.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodney D. Pierce, Bryan Cohn, and Phil Rubin | HB 1046 | 04/23/2026 | NC Economic Progress and Well-Being. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, B. Ray Jeffers, James Roberson, and Renée A. Price | HB 1021 | 04/21/2026 | Funds for Facilities of DAV Organizations. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Carolyn G. Logan, and James Roberson | HB 1022 | 04/21/2026 | Pickleball Wellness Initiative: Health Equity. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Beth Helfrich, Eric Ager, and Zack Hawkins | HB 937 | 04/10/2025 | Keeping Our Coaches Act. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Dante Pittman, Julia Greenfield, and Shelly Willingham | HB 653 | 04/01/2025 | Adjust FMAP Trigger for Medicaid Expansion. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Jonathan L. Almond, Tricia Ann Cotham, and Zack Hawkins | HB 688 | 04/01/2025 | Funds for Inclusive Playgrounds. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Brian Turner, Eric Ager, and Lindsey Prather | HB 599 | 03/31/2025 | Award NC Forest Service Pay Increase. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, B. Ray Jeffers, James Roberson, and Renée A. Price | HB 601 | 03/31/2025 | Funds for Facilities of DAV Organizations. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Brandon Lofton, Cynthia Ball, and Phil Rubin | HB 608 | 03/31/2025 | Protect Health and Gov’t Personnel Info. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, B. Ray Jeffers, Dante Pittman, and Eric Ager | HB 617 | 03/31/2025 | Supporting Small Farmers for NC’s Future Act. |
| Rodney D. Pierce | HB 530 | 03/26/2025 | Funds/Halifax, Northampton, Warren Counties. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, and Lindsey Prather | HB 531 | 03/26/2025 | Addressing NC’s Teacher Crisis/NTSP. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Dante Pittman, Lindsey Prather, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 507 | 03/25/2025 | The Children First Act. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Charles W. Miller, Jerry “Alan” Branson, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 466 | 03/19/2025 | Birthplace of Am. Independence Special Plate. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 325 | 03/06/2025 | Legislative Building Field Trip Pilot Program. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 340 | 03/06/2025 | Universal AIG Screening in Middle Schools. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Garland E. Pierce, Julie von Haefen, and Sarah Crawford | HB 179 | 02/24/2025 | Labor Org. Membership Dues Tax Deductible. |
| Rodney D. Pierce | HB 158 | 02/21/2025 | SchCalFlex/Warren,Weldon,Halifax,RR/Open Cal. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Grant L. Campbell, MD, Mark Brody, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 128 | 02/13/2025 | Establish Prostate Cancer Control Program. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Bill Ward, Jarrod Lowery, and Mike Clampitt | HB 103 | 02/11/2025 | NC Am. Indian Hunting/Fishing Rights. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, Frances Jackson, PhD, Jordan Lopez, and Pricey Harrison | HB 77 | 02/10/2025 | Environmental Justice. |
| Rodney D. Pierce, James Roberson, Monika Johnson-Hostler, and Zack Hawkins | HB 65 | 02/05/2025 | Sigma Gamma Rho Special Registration Plate. |
