June 27, 2025
RALEIGH — The John Locke Foundation strongly condemns Governor Josh Stein’s veto of House Bill 402, the REINS Act. This legislation, passed with robust support in the North Carolina General Assembly, would have required legislative approval for executive branch regulations with an economic impact exceeding $20 million over five years, ensuring accountability to the people of North Carolina.
Donald Bryson, CEO of the John Locke Foundation, issued the following statement:
“Unelected bureaucrats shouldn’t impose million-dollar regulations in the dark—but Governor Stein’s veto of the REINS Act protects that very overreach. By rejecting this commonsense reform, the governor has chosen bureaucratic power over democratic accountability. The REINS Act would have required legislative approval for regulations with price tags exceeding $20 million—rules that can reshape our economy, burden small businesses, and raise costs for families. If a regulation impacts your wallet, your vote should matter. The John Locke Foundation urges the General Assembly to override this veto and restore the people’s voice in the rulemaking process.”