A new bill filed by State Rep. Kyle Hall proposes changes to how district attorney vacancies are filled, aiming to establish a structured appointment process involving political party recommendations, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 478 on March 20 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Modify Appointment Process for DA Vacancies.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill modifies the process for appointing district attorneys in North Carolina when vacancies arise. It stipulates that the governor will appoint a replacement from a list of up to three qualified candidates recommended by the district executive committee of the vacating attorney’s political party. If the vacating district attorney was unaffiliated, recommendations will come from a majority of the General Assembly members representing the district. If no recommendations are made within 30 days, the governor may appoint a qualified person independently. An appointee will serve until the next General Assembly election occurring more than 60 days after the vacancy, with special provisions if the term ends on January 1 following such election. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law and applies to all appointments thereafter.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Hall and Brian Biggs proposed the most bills (20) 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.
Hall graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012 with a BA.
Hall, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2015 to represent the state’s 91st House district, replacing previous state representative Bryan Holloway.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Hall, Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, and Sarah Stevens | HB 478 | 03/20/2025 | Modify Appointment Process for DA Vacancies. |
| Kyle Hall, Brenden H. Jones, Jeffrey C. McNeely, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 469 | 03/20/2025 | Restoring Rivalries Act. |
| Kyle Hall, Cody Huneycutt, Hugh Blackwell, and Sarah Stevens | HB 443 | 03/18/2025 | Const. Amendment: Council of State Vacancies. |
| Kyle Hall, Becky Carney, and Erin Paré | HB 418 | 03/17/2025 | K-5 Performing and Visual Arts Requirement. |
| Kyle Hall and Donny Lambeth | HB 419 | 03/17/2025 | School of the Arts Building Purchase. |
| Kyle Hall, Allen Chesser, Cody Huneycutt, and Heather H. Rhyne | HB 351 | 03/10/2025 | Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program/Funds. |
| Kyle Hall, Donnie Loftis, and Donny Lambeth | HB 274 | 03/04/2025 | Foster Care Services/Funds. |
| Kyle Hall, Brenden H. Jones, Celeste C. Cairns, and Mike Clampitt | HB 276 | 03/04/2025 | Align Benefits for Firefighters with Cancer. |
| Kyle Hall, B. Ray Jeffers, Charles W. Miller, and Sarah Crawford | HB 258 | 03/03/2025 | Utility Worker Protection Act. |
| Kyle Hall, Hugh Blackwell, Mike Schietzelt, and Sarah Stevens | HB 182 | 02/24/2025 | Rev. Law Perm. Protect Order/Child Abuse. |
| Kyle Hall, Chris Humphrey, Jarrod Lowery, and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 135 | 02/17/2025 | Misbranding/Cell-Cultured Meat/WNC Donations. |
| Kyle Hall, Donny Lambeth, Erin Paré, and Larry W. Potts | HB 124 | 02/13/2025 | Adopt Official State Cookie. |
| Kyle Hall, Donna McDowell White, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 125 | 02/13/2025 | Continuing Budget Operations. |
| Kyle Hall, Charles Smith, Edward C. Goodwin, and Eric Ager | HB 114 | 02/12/2025 | Employment Preference for Military Personnel. |
| Kyle Hall, Brian Biggs, Julia C. Howard, and Steve Tyson | HB 96 | 02/11/2025 | Expedited Removal of Unauthorized Persons. |
| Kyle Hall, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Larry C. Strickland | HB 74 | 02/10/2025 | House Budget Technical Corrections. |
| Kyle Hall, Allen Chesser, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 46 | 02/04/2025 | Make Healthcare Affordable. |
| Kyle Hall, Donny Lambeth, Jeff Zenger, and Larry W. Potts | HB 30 | 02/03/2025 | SchCalFlex/WS-F,Stokes,Davdsn/Aug11 & Assmnts. |
| Kyle Hall, Brian Biggs, Neal Jackson, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 31 | 02/03/2025 | Make Election Day A State Holiday. |
| Kyle Hall, Donny Lambeth, Jeff Zenger, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 34 | 02/03/2025 | Establish Larceny of Mail Offense. |
