First Tuesday Asheville

House Bill 16 was Filed on January 29, 2025  

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICES OFFICER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO DISPLAY THE NATIONAL MOTTO "IN GOD WE TRUST" DIRECTLY ABOVE AND BEHIND THE DAIS OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

Intro. by Representative Moss.  

House Bill 16 amends GS 120-32.1 by requiring the Legislative Services Officer to display the national motto "In God We Trust" directly above and behind the dais of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate. Requires the display to be consistent with the motto that is above and behind the dais of the Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

Requires the Legislative Services Officer to first use any funds gifted or otherwise provided to the State by a private individual or entity for this purpose. Provides that to the extent any of the funds are deemed unappropriated, the funds are appropriated for the purpose of this act. Provides that if no funds are gifted or otherwise provided by no later than 90 days from the effective date of this act, the Legislative Services Officer is allowed to use funds available to cover any costs incurred from implementing the display.

Passed First Reading: January 30, 2025
Current Status as of October 21, 2025: The bill passed its second reading in the House on March 25, 2025. ​

The bill then passed its first reading in the Senate on March 26.  It was then referred to the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate, where it remains as of this date.  This committee determines whether the bill will receive a hearing or remain stalled.

1. Senate Committee Review
HB 16 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Operations. This committee determines whether the bill will receive a hearing or remain stalled.

2. Committee Vote
If the committee takes up the bill, members may:

• Approve it as written
• Propose amendments
• Vote it down

3. If approved, the bill moves to the Senate floor for:

• Second Reading (full debate and vote)
  Third Reading (final vote, typically without further debate)
   

4. If Passed by the Senate without amendments, The bill will be enrolled and sent to the Governor, who can:

• Sign it into law
• Veto it (returning it to the General Assembly for possible override)
• Allow it to become law without a signature after 10 days
   

5. If vetoed, the legislature can override the veto with a three-fifths majority in each chamber.

Contact Your Representatives: Reach out to Representatives Ager (D) and Prather (D) (who opposed the bill) to ask why they opposed the bill, and Turner (D) (who voted in favor of the bill) to thank him for supporting it.  Contact Senators Daniel (R) and Mayfield (D) to express your support of the bill and to encourage them to vote in support of the bill.

Buncombe County State General Assembly Representatives:

Buncombe County is represented by three Democratic members in the North Carolina House:​

Representative Eric Ager (District 114)

📧 Eric.Ager@ncleg.gov ​| (919) 715-2013 

Representative Lindsey Prather (District 115)​ 

📧 Lindsey.Prather@ncleg.gov | (919) 733-5746 

Representative Brian Turner (District 116)​

📧 Brian.Turner@ncleg.gov | (919) 715-3012 

and by one Republican (Warren Daniel) and one Democrat (Julie Mayfield) in the state Senate:

Senator Warren Daniel (District 46)

📧 Warren.Daniel@ncleg.gov ​| (919) 715-7823

Senator Julie Mayfield (District 49)​ 

📧 Julie.Mayfield@ncleg.gov  | (919) 715-3001

Let your representatives know where you stand on HB 16. Your voice today can help guide their votes tomorrow. 

Let us know what they say.

Subject:   Please Explain Your Opposition to House Bill 16 -  “In God We Trust” 

Dear Representative [Last Name],

On March 25, 2025, HB 16 (“In God We Trust” display) passed the House; you voted No. Would you please explain your decision?

Many of us support displaying our national motto in the legislative chambers. If HB 16—or a similar bill—comes back from the Senate, would you vote Yes? I’d value a direct response I can share with others in the district.

Thank you,
[Name]
[Neighborhood/Community], Buncombe County
[Email] | [Phone]

**********

Subject: Thank you for supporting HB 16 (“In God We Trust”)

Dear Representative Turner,

I wanted to thank you for voting Yes on HB 16, the “In God We Trust” display bill. Your support for recognizing our national motto in the House and Senate chambers reflects an appreciation for the heritage and values that have shaped our country.

At a time when division so often defines politics, it means a great deal to see a legislator stand for something that can remind us of what we share in common.

Thank you again for your vote and for representing Buncombe County with integrity.

Thank you,
[Name]
[Neighborhood/Community], Buncombe County
[Email] | [Phone]

**********

Subject: Support for HB 16 ("In God We Trust")

Dear Senator,

I’m writing to express my support for HB 16, the “In God We Trust” bill. Although it is currently stalled in committee, I remain hopeful that it will eventually reach the Senate floor for consideration.

When that opportunity arises, I respectfully urge you to support this legislation. I believe it reflects values that are important to many constituents, including myself.

Thank you again for your vote and for representing Buncombe County with integrity.

Thank you,
[Name]
[Neighborhood/Community], Buncombe County
[Email] | [Phone]

Public Engagement: Consider writing letters to local newspapers or participating in community forums to raise awareness about the bill's importance.​
 

Sample Letter to Editor below.  Feel free to copy this one or write your own:

 Subject: Citizens deserve a full debate on HB 16

To the Editor:

House Bill 16, titled “In God We Trust” Display, passed the North Carolina House in March and has since been sitting in the Senate Committee on Rules and Operations.  Whatever one’s personal view of the proposal, it represents an issue that many residents care about and that deserves an open, public discussion.

The state motto, the national motto, and similar expressions of shared identity all carry symbolic meaning.  Citizens should be able to hear their elected officials explain where they stand and why.  Allowing HB 16 to reach the Senate floor would give the public that clarity and ensure that decisions are made transparently rather than behind closed doors.

Engaged, informed debate benefits everyone—lawmakers and citizens alike—no matter which side of the question they favor.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Town or ZIP Code]
[Optional: Email Address or Phone Number]

**********

HB 16 touches on how citizens and lawmakers balance tradition, symbolism, and constitutional boundaries.

Engaging constructively—by reading the bill, asking legislators for their reasoning, and discussing it respectfully—helps ensure decisions reflect genuine public understanding rather than assumptions about motive. 

HB 16 touches on how citizens and lawmakers balance tradition, symbolism, and constitutional boundaries.

Engaging constructively—by reading the bill, asking legislators for their reasoning, and discussing it respectfully—helps ensure decisions reflect genuine public understanding rather than assumptions about motive.