(The Center Square) – Seventh-term Wayne County Republican John Bell has been tapped by and to succeed Destin Hall as the chairman of the powerful Rules Committee in the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Hall, chosen by the chamber as speaker, succeeded record-setting Speaker Tim Moore. In his role, Bell will work alongside Hall, influencing the introduction and progress of legislation through the lower chamber.
It’s also known as a committee where bills can be parked to die.
“These leaders have demonstrated exceptional dedication, expertise and a strong commitment to serving the people of our state,” Hall said in a release. “Each member brings a unique perspective and valuable experience to their respective committees, and I look forward to working with them.”
Bell was elected majority whip in the House in 2015, and majority leader in 2016 – a post he has held since.
The Republican majority in the House is 71-49.
Republicans, in historic fashion, gained majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly in the 2010 midterms. Since then, Thom Tillis has ascended from speaker (2011-14) to U.S. senator (2015-present); and Moore ascended from rules chairman (2011-14) to speaker of the House (2015-2024) to winning last fall’s 14th Congressional District.
Hall’s announcement on Wednesday afternoon included 94 appointments to 33 committees. He had previously named a 44-member Select Committee on Helene Recovery and Bell at that time was named with Rep. Dudley Greene, R-Avery, as co-chairmen.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Greene and Rep. Mark Pless, R-Haywood, were named co-chairmen of the Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery Committee.
Two years ago for the last session, Moore appointed three Democrats and Hall followed with one – the lone one still a Democrat and remaining.
Edgecombe County Democrat Shelly Willingham will shift from the Alcohol Beverage Control Committee to the Ethics Committee. Rep. Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County was another of Moore’s appointments, and she changed registration to Republican in April 2023 and was reelected two months ago.
The third, former Rep. Michael Wray of Northampton County, lost on Super Tuesday to Roanoke Rapids schoolteacher Rodney Pierce.
Cotham is co-chairwoman of Education Appropriations, and of K-12 Education. Spending on education was the largest share of the last state budget at $17.9 billion for 2024-25, and $17.3 for 2023-24 of the $60.7 billion two-year plan. More was added when the Legislature appropriated $463 million to the Opportunity Scholarship program last year, wiping out a school choice waiting list of about 55,000.
The biennial budget process commences with the start of this session. Senior chairmanships were placed upon Reps. Donny Lambeth of Forsyth County, Dean Arp of Union County, Kyle Hall of Stokes County and Larry Strickland of Johnston County, and chairmanships with Reps. Erin Pare of Wake County, Hugh Blackwell of Burke County and William Brisson of Bladen County.
North Carolina’s No. 1 industry has always been agriculture, and it is home to 12 military installations – six of them major led by the Army’s Fort Liberty.
The Agriculture and Environment Committee’s senior chairman is Rep. Jimmy Dixon of Duplin County, and co-chairmen are Reps. Karl Gillespie of Macon County, Jeff McNeely of Iredell County, and Howard Penny of Harnett County. Dixon also leads the committee on Appropriations for Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, with co-chairmen Reps. Gillespie, Ed Goodwin of Chowan County, and Jennifer Balkcom of Henderson County.
Homeland Security and Military and Veterans Affairs is co-chaired by Reps. Goodwin, Joe Pike of Harnett County and Donnie Loftis of Gaston County.
