On June 24, 2026, the North Carolina General Assembly overrode Gov. Josh Stein (D)'s veto of Senate Bill 227, which prohibits what the bill defines as discriminatory practices, divisive concepts, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in public schools. Among other changes, the bill also amends the powers and duties of local school boards to require them to adopt policies prohibiting employees from discriminating based on an individual's protected class under federal law.
Stein vetoed the bill on July 3, 2025. The North Carolina Senate overrode the veto 30-19 on July 29, 2025, with all Democrats opposing the veto override and all Republicans supporting it. The Senate had a veto-proof majority.
The North Carolina House of Representatives overrode the veto 71-47 on June 24, 2026, along the same party lines. The House did not have a veto-proof majority, which would require 72 of the chamber's 120 representatives to support a veto override. However, North Carolina law requires that 60% of present and voting members support the override. Since one representative — Shelly Willingham (D) — was absent, only 71 votes in favor were sufficient to override the veto.
