A new bill filed by State Sen. Terence Everitt in the North Carolina Senate seeks to criminalize riot participation or incitement when linked to attempts to overthrow government, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 244 on March 5 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘January 6 Riot/Attempt Overthrow of Gov’t.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill makes it a Class F felony in North Carolina to willfully engage in a riot or incite a riot if, during that riot, an attempt is made to overthrow the government of the United States, the state of North Carolina, or any of its political subdivisions. Specifically, any person actively participating in such a riot, or inciting others to riot when the incitement contributes to an attempted governmental overthrow, will face Class F felony charges. The provisions will take effect on Dec. 1, 2025, and will apply to offenses committed on or after this date.
Of the two sponsors of this bill, Everitt proposed the most bills (seven) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Everitt graduated from Rutgers University in 1997 with a BA and again in 2001 from Columbus School of Law with a JD.
Everitt, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2025 to represent the state’s 18th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Mary Wills Bode.
| Legislative Session | Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Terence Everitt and Michael Garrett | SB 244 | 03/05/2025 | January 6 Riot/Attempt Overthrow of Gov’t. |
| 2025 | Terence Everitt and Graig Meyer | SB 242 | 03/05/2025 | H.A.L.L. Accountability Act. |
| 2025 | Terence Everitt | SB 212 | 02/27/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Granville & Wake. |
| 2025 | Terence Everitt, Kandie D. Smith, and Woodson Bradley | SB 134 | 02/21/2025 | Inclusionary Zoning/Workforce Housing Funds. |
| 2025 | Terence Everitt | SB 119 | 02/18/2025 | Creedmoor Annexations/Deannexation. |
| 2025 | Terence Everitt | SB 102 | 02/13/2025 | 18th Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
| 2025 | Terence Everitt | SB 103 | 02/13/2025 | Make NC School Calendars Great Again. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 877 | 05/02/2024 | Greater Access to Fertility Medication. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 763 | 04/24/2024 | 18th Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 658 | 04/06/2023 | Water Safety Act of 2023. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 708 | 04/06/2023 | School Meals for Every Child. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 709 | 04/06/2023 | Returning Citizens Ready to Work. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 713 | 04/06/2023 | Build Safer Communities and Schools Act. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 716 | 04/06/2023 | Caregiver Tax Credit. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 731 | 04/06/2023 | Shine Like Hailey Parade Safety Act. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 584 | 04/04/2023 | Breast Cancer Diagnostic Imaging Reform. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 496 | 04/03/2023 | Increase Safe Use of Firearms. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 497 | 04/03/2023 | Reenact Earned Income Tax Credit. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 421 | 03/29/2023 | State Employees/Paid Parental Leave. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 148 | 02/22/2023 | deViere Disabled Veterans Act. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 149 | 02/22/2023 | Veterans Appreciation Act. |
| 2023 | Mary Wills Bode | SB 153 | 02/22/2023 | 18th Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
