State Rep. Heather H. Rhyne has introduced a bill aiming to enable employers to reduce work hours as an alternative to layoffs, utilizing a state-backed compensation program, according to the North Carolina State House.
The legislation, designated as HB 1149 and filed on April 30 for the 2025 regular session, carries the short title: ‘Keep NC Working Act.’
Below is a summary, reflecting the bill text, with added explanation for clarity where needed.
This proposal creates a short-time compensation program within North Carolina’s unemployment insurance system starting Oct. 1, 2026. It would allow employers to decrease worker hours by 10% to 60% instead of conducting layoffs, with prorated unemployment benefits for employees. Employers must submit qualifying plans, continue health and retirement benefits comparably, certify that hours are reduced as a substitute for layoffs, comply with labor regulations, and gain approval from any relevant collective bargaining units. The Division of Employment Security is responsible for approval, oversight, and can modify or revoke plans. Benefits are limited to 52 weeks. The bill also sets aside $100,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2026-27 to launch and advertise the program, effective July 1, 2026.
Allen Chesser, one of the four bill sponsors, introduced the highest number of proposals (64) in the 2025 regular session.
Before any measure becomes law in North Carolina, it must go through a series of legislative steps. A bill is first filed by a legislator and reviewed in committee. Each chamber reads the bill three times. If one chamber amends a bill after another passes it, consensus must be reached on the text. Approval by both chambers sends the bill to the governor, who then has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to either sign it, veto it, or let it become law automatically.
Additional details on proposed bills and legislative actions can be found here.
Rhyne graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998.
A Republican, Rhyne was elected in 2024 to serve District 97 in the North Carolina State House, taking over from former representative Jason Saine.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Mike Schietzelt, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 1149 | 04/30/2026 | Keep NC Working Act. |
| 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, 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. |
