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HB 261

An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in casualty insurance, further providing for conditions subject to which policies are to be issued and for group accident and sickness insurance; and, in community health reinvestment, further providing for definitions.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Brennan and 20 co-sponsors

HB 261 broadens penalties by increasing the offense class for certain felonies committed by noncitizens with prior immigration removals or illegal reentry (as amended) and for offe

Act No. 9 of 2025
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 261

Summary — HB 261: Sentence Enhancement / Immigration‑Related Crimes

Status: Introduced (multiple editions/committee substitute included)
Subject areas: Courts; Criminal procedure; Sentencing; Immigration; Conspiracy

Main purpose

HB 261 creates additional sentencing enhancements that increase the severity of convictions in two contexts:
1. Felonies committed by persons with certain prior immigration‑related removals or reentry convictions; and
2. Misdemeanors or felonies committed while conspiring with others to benefit, promote, or further “criminal activity.”

(The bill text exists in multiple editions. The committee substitute narrowed one immigration‑related enhancement — see “Key provisions / Versions” below.)

Key provisions

  • Adds new statutory sections to North Carolina’s structured‑sentencing provisions (Article 81B of Chapter 15A):

    • § 15A‑1340.16H — Enhanced sentence for felonies committed by persons unlawfully in the United States (immigration‑related).
    • § 15A‑1340.16I — Enhanced sentence for felonies committed to benefit/promote/further criminal activity (conspiracy enhancement).
    • § 15A‑1340.24 — Enhanced sentence for misdemeanors committed to benefit/promote/further criminal activity.

  • Immigration‑related enhancement (as introduced):

    • If a defendant is convicted of any felony other than a Class A felony and is found to have previously been denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed, the underlying felony is increased by one class.
    • If the defendant has a prior federal conviction for illegal reentry (8 U.S.C. §1326), the underlying felony is increased by two classes.

  • Immigration‑related enhancement (committee substitute):

    • Narrows enhancement to apply when the defendant has a prior federal conviction under 8 U.S.C. §1326; in that version the underlying felony is increased by one class (the substitute removed the “denied admission/deported/removed” standalone enhancement).

  • Conspiracy/“criminal activity” enhancements:

    • Felony: If a non‑Class A felony is proven to have been committed while conspiring with one or more persons to benefit/promote/further “criminal activity” (term defined by G.S. 14‑118.8), the offense is increased by one class.
    • Misdemeanor: If a misdemeanor (other than Class A1) is committed under such a conspiracy, it is increased by one misdemeanor class; a Class A1 misdemeanor so proven is elevated to a Class I felony.

  • Charging and proof rules:

    • The indictment or information must allege the facts supporting the enhancement (may be in the same or a separate pleading; one pleading suffices for multiple offenses tried together).
    • The State must prove the enhancement element beyond a reasonable doubt at the same trial as the underlying offense. If the defendant pleads to the underlying offense but contests the enhancement element, a jury must determine that issue.

Who is affected

  • Defendants convicted of felonies or misdemeanors in North Carolina who meet the enhancement criteria (non‑Class A felonies; certain immigration histories or prior §1326 convictions; or conspiracies to further criminal activity).
  • Prosecutors and defense counsel (case charging, proof burdens, plea negotiations).
  • Courts (additional factual findings at trial; jury determinations if contested).
  • Potentially victims and communities affected by sentencing increases.

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • Effective date shown in the bill text: becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
  • Pleading and proof requirements are explicit (allegation in charging instrument; proof beyond a reasonable doubt at trial; jury decision if contested).

Practical impact (concise)

  • The bill raises statutory penalties by elevating offense classes in specified circumstances, which increases potential sentencing exposure. The precise practical effect depends on the final enacted language (the committee substitute narrowed the immigration enhancement). The changes may influence charging strategies, plea bargaining, and sentencing outcomes in cases involving noncitizen defendants and in prosecutions alleging conspiratorial criminal enterprises.

If you’d like, I can:
- Compare the introduced and committee substitute texts line‑by‑line;
- Produce a one‑page explainer for prosecutors or defense attorneys; or
- Draft a short legislative timeline showing where the bill stands in the chamber process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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