North Carolina Rep. Pyrtle’s satellite annexation bill for Madison passes House and Senate

Passed bill sponsored by State Rep. Pyrtle aims to provide Madison greater flexibility in annexing noncontiguous areas by eliminating current satellite annexation limitations, according to the North Carolina State House.

In the House, 43 Democrats and 65 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while four Democrats opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 17 Democrats and 28 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while one Republican voted against it.

Pyrtle filed the bill in the North Carolina House on Jan. 29 during the 2025 regular session.

The legislation, known as HB 26, was passed on June 17 during the 2025 regular session.

According to the North Carolina General Assembly site, the bill’s official text was formally listed with the short title: “Various Local Provisions I.”

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

In essence, this bill seeks to eliminate the limitation on satellite annexations for the town of Madison. Currently, any proposed satellite area, when combined with existing satellite corporate limits, cannot exceed 10% of the area within the primary corporate limits of the annexing city. The restriction does not apply to a list of specified cities and towns, and this bill adds Madison to that list, allowing it more flexibility in annexing noncontiguous areas. The bill is effective upon becoming law.

The bill was sponsored only by Rep. A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. (Republican-65th District).

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.

Pyrtle graduated from Appalachian State University in 1989 with a BAS.

Pyrtle, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 65th House district, replacing previous state representative Jerry Carter.