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HB 699

An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in powers and duties, providing for double utility poles.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Borowski and 20 co-sponsors

Prohibits firing deputy sheriffs or sheriff’s staff for not making a campaign contribution, protecting staff from political coercion.

Referred to Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities
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Bill Summary · HB 699

Summary — HB 699: Sheriff's Deputies / Dismissals

Status: Serial referral to State and Local Government — stricken
Introduced: (North Carolina version) April 2, 2025 (filed)
Primary sponsor (NC version): Rep. A. Jones
Subject areas: law enforcement, employment, counties, local government, campaign finance, public personnel

Main purpose / intent

HB 699 prohibits county sheriffs from firing (or discharging) deputy sheriffs or other employees in a sheriff’s office for the specific reason that the employee failed to make a campaign contribution to the sheriff or to the sheriff’s campaign committee. The bill is intended to prevent political coercion or pay‑to‑play pressure within county sheriff offices.

Key provisions

  • Amends G.S. 153A‑103 (statute governing county sheriff and register of deeds employees) to add a single, explicit prohibition: “a sheriff shall not discharge a deputy sheriff or other employee for failing to make a campaign contribution to the sheriff or the sheriff's campaign committee.”
  • Otherwise leaves intact the existing language that grants sheriffs exclusive authority to hire, discharge, and supervise employees in their office (subject to other statutory limitations).
  • Effective date language in the NC text: “This act is effective when it becomes law.” (No delayed effective date.)

Who is affected

  • Directly: deputy sheriffs and other staff employed in county sheriff offices across the State of North Carolina.
  • Indirectly: county sheriffs (their employment practices), county boards (which set employee counts), and county taxpayers (potential legal or administrative consequences).
  • Not covered: the bill does not mention other counties’ elected officials or unrelated local offices.

Enforcement, penalties, and limits

  • The statutory amendment expressly bars discharge for the single specified reason. The bill text does not specify a private cause of action, administrative complaint process, civil penalties, or criminal sanctions — nor does it detail remedies (reinstatement, back pay, fines).
  • The bill does not prohibit dismissal for other lawful reasons (performance, misconduct, budgetary reductions, etc.) and does not otherwise change the sheriff’s general authority to hire or discharge.

Potential impact / considerations

  • Policy effect: provides protection against political pressure tied to campaign contributions in sheriff offices; reduces a form of patronage/coercion.
  • Legal/administrative: because no enforcement mechanism is specified, aggrieved employees would likely need to seek relief through employment litigation or other existing legal channels (e.g., tort or constitutional claims), which could prompt follow‑up clarifying legislation or court decisions.
  • Fiscal: no direct fiscal analysis in the bill text; fiscal impact would be minimal unless litigation or enforcement costs arise.

Procedural notes (NC bill)

  • Filed and read on April 2, 2025; referred to Judiciary 1 and then to additional committees in the usual legislative process.
  • Listed status shows that a serial referral to the State and Local Government committee was “stricken” (i.e., removed) during processing. The bill becomes law only if passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor.

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

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