State Rep. Heather H. Rhyne has filed new legislation in the North Carolina House aimed at enhancing law enforcement drug detection through a dedicated pilot program, according to the North Carolina State House.
Designated as HB 1186 and submitted on April 30 during the 2025 regular session, the bill is officially titled ‘Equipping Law Enf. for Better Drug Detection.’
Below is an overview based on the actual bill text, including clarifying interpretations where needed.
The measure directs the North Carolina Collaboratory to administer a pilot program supplying participating law enforcement agencies with advanced, non-color-based field drug-detection devices and studying outcomes on investigative effectiveness, accuracy, officer safety, false arrest rates and cost efficiency. Data collection will encompass case, laboratory and workflow metrics. The program will compare results with comparable jurisdictions that are not part of the pilot, and include input from justice system stakeholders. Relevant data must be provided by state agencies, and the program must reach agencies along major drug-trafficking routes. For 2026-27, the bill appropriates $1.75 million in nonrecurring funds, with the program slated to start July 1, 2026, and conclude after a final report is filed or by Dec. 1, 2028, whichever comes first.
Among the bill’s four sponsors, Allen Chesser filed the most legislation during the 2025 regular session, introducing 64 bills.
Lawmakers in North Carolina must follow a step-by-step process for legislation to become law. After a lawmaker files a bill, it is referred to a committee for review. Each chamber must hold three readings. If the bill is amended after passing one chamber, both must agree to identical language. Once approved by both, the bill is sent to the governor, who then has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is out of session) to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without signature.
Find more details about legislative actions in North Carolina here.
Rhyne received her degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998.
Rhyne, a Republican, was elected to North Carolina’s State House in 2024 to represent the 97th House district, taking over from former state representative Jason Saine.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heather H. Rhyne, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Allen Chesser, and Phil Rubin | HB 1186 | 04/30/2026 | Equipping Law Enf. for Better Drug Detection. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Mike Schietzelt, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 1149 | 04/30/2026 | Keep NC Working Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 1200 | 04/30/2026 | Tax-Free Family Essentials Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 1203 | 04/30/2026 | Family Support for Those Who Serve Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Erin Paré, Mike Schietzelt, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 1110 | 04/29/2026 | Early Intervention School Attendance Pilot. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Celeste C. Cairns, and Charles W. Miller | HB 1075 | 04/28/2026 | Persistent D.V. Offender Registry. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Mike Schietzelt, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 1083 | 04/28/2026 | Voluntary Portable Benefits Plan Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 1086 | 04/28/2026 | Child Care Initiative Funds/Reform/Study. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, David Willis, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 981 | 04/10/2025 | Local Schools Open Enrollment Study. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Beth Helfrich, John A. Torbett, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 845 | 04/09/2025 | Reduce Drowning Risk/Public Docks. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Brian Biggs, David Willis, and Ray Pickett | HB 875 | 04/09/2025 | DPI to Redesign Math Instruction. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 877 | 04/09/2025 | Childcare Pilot. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Grant L. Campbell, MD, Sarah Crawford, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 820 | 04/08/2025 | Prescription Eye Drop Early Refill Coverage. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Brian Biggs, Hugh Blackwell, and Larry W. Potts | HB 803 | 04/07/2025 | 3-Year FDA Approval for New Childhood Vaxx. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Brian Biggs, and David Willis | HB 806 | 04/07/2025 | Public School Operational Relief. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Brian Biggs, David Willis, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 773 | 04/03/2025 | School Performance Grade Changes. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Blair Eddins, Jennifer Balkcom, and Sarah Stevens | HB 791 | 04/03/2025 | Women’s Safety and Protection Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 592 | 03/31/2025 | Toxic-Free Medical Devices Act of 2025. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Erin Paré, Mike Schietzelt, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 611 | 03/31/2025 | Increase APs in Public Schools. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Jeff Zenger, Jonathan L. Almond, and Neal Jackson | HB 618 | 03/31/2025 | Ivermectin Access Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Cody Huneycutt, and Kyle Hall | HB 574 | 03/27/2025 | Workforce Development Pilot Project. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Donny Lambeth, and Grant L. Campbell, MD | HB 536 | 03/26/2025 | Physical Therapy Practice Act Mods. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 542 | 03/26/2025 | Child Care Mental & Behavioral Services/Funds. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Donna McDowell White, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 546 | 03/26/2025 | Inmate Medicaid Suspension/Team-Based Care. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Brandon Lofton, and Kyle Hall | HB 517 | 03/25/2025 | Modify Nonprofit Corp. Act/Charitable Org. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dennis Riddell, Erin Paré, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 488 | 03/24/2025 | Modify School Performance Grades. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Donna McDowell White, Donny Lambeth, and Jimmy Dixon | HB 491 | 03/24/2025 | Medicaid Work Requirements. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, and Ray Pickett | HB 437 | 03/18/2025 | Establish Drug-Free Homeless Service Zones. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 412 | 03/17/2025 | Child Care Regulatory Reforms. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Brian Biggs, and David Willis | HB 415 | 03/17/2025 | Modify Math & Social Studies Grad. Req. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Jake Johnson, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 372 | 03/11/2025 | Home-Based Business Fairness Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Cody Huneycutt, and Kyle Hall | HB 351 | 03/10/2025 | Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program/Funds. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Cody Huneycutt | HB 330 | 03/06/2025 | Controlled Substances Act – Updates. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 309 | 03/05/2025 | Various Local Provisions VI. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Howard Penny, Jr., Jonathan L. Almond, and Paul Scott | HB 239 | 02/26/2025 | Change to EC Funding Formula. |
| Heather H. Rhyne and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 190 | 02/24/2025 | SchCal Mandatory Winter Break/Date Adjustment. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Cody Huneycutt, Hugh Blackwell, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 163 | 02/21/2025 | Pharmacy Benefits Manager Provisions. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Buansi, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 145 | 02/17/2025 | Funds for Diabetes Research Institute/UNC-CH. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Brenden H. Jones, and Jay Adams | HB 35 | 02/03/2025 | Establish Military Appreciation Month. |
| Heather H. Rhyne | HB 41 | 02/03/2025 | Lincoln/Catawba Common Boundary Line. |
