Commending Emma Randel.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Timmy French

The bill confirms Pamela Brewington Cashwell as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, giving her statutory authority to lead the department.

Bill text as passed Senate (SR221ER)

Purpose / Intent

SR 221 is a Senate simple resolution calling for and effecting the Senate’s consideration and confirmation of Pamela Brewington Cashwell as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). The resolution implements the constitutional and statutory process by which the Governor’s appointment for a principal State department head receives senatorial advice and consent.

Key provisions

Directs the North Carolina Senate to consider whether to confirm Pamela Brewington Cashwell as Secretary of DNCR.

Upon adoption, the resolution confirms her appointment (the adopted version explicitly states the Senate confirms Cashwell as Secretary).

States the resolution is effective upon adoption.

Legal and procedural basis

Cites G.S. 143B‑9(a) (statutory requirement that the Governor notify the President of the Senate of nominees to head principal State departments).

References Section 5(8) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution (senatorial advice and consent for department heads).

Classified as a Senate Simple Resolution (procedural instrument used for nominations/confirmations and internal Senate actions).

Who is affected / impact

Pamela Brewington Cashwell: confirmation allows her to serve as Secretary of DNCR and exercise statutory authority over the department.

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources: confirmation provides leadership continuity and authority to implement departmental programs, budgets, and policies affecting state parks, historic sites, cultural programs, museums, and related agencies.

Governor’s Office: formalizes the Governor’s appointment through legislative consent.

Stakeholders and the public: agencies, local governments, cultural institutions, and citizens interacting with DNCR will be affected by leadership direction and policy priorities under the confirmed Secretary.

Procedural timeline & status

Introduced / Referred to committee: early March 2025 (referred to Agriculture, Energy, and Environment; then Select Committee on Nominations).

Committee reported favorably; amendment A1 was adopted.

Engrossed and adopted by the Senate (adopted March 13, 2025, per the enrolled/adopted version). The resolution became effective upon adoption, thereby confirming Cashwell.

Sponsor (primary in the NC text): Senator Michael Lee Rabon (listed as “Senator Rabon” in the bill text).

Notes

As a simple resolution confirming an appointment, SR 221 does not create or amend general law; its principal legal effect is the Senate’s advice and consent to the Governor’s nominee.

The provided document includes other unrelated SR 221 texts from other jurisdictions; this summary is focused on the North Carolina Senate Resolution confirming Pamela Brewington Cashwell.

Bill