A new bill filed by State Rep. Mitchell S. Setzer in the North Carolina House seeks to recognize the Carolina BalloonFest as the state’s official balloon rally, highlighting its cultural and economic significance, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 43 on Feb. 4 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Designate State Balloon Rally.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill designates the Carolina BalloonFest, an annual event held every October in the city of Statesville, as the official balloon rally of the state of North Carolina. The festival, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, is the second oldest hot air balloon festival in the United States. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, the event features colorful hot air balloons, sanctioned competitions, balloon flights, tethered rides, entertainment, a balloon glow, and various activities including wine and craft beer tasting, and crafts. The festival attracts thousands of visitors annually and contributes to the local economy while also supporting local nonprofits through donations. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Setzer proposed the most bills (five) 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.
Setzer graduated from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro in 1987 with a BA.
Setzer, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 1999 to represent the state’s 89th House district, replacing previous state representative Robert Brawley.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell S. Setzer, Jeffrey C. McNeely, Stephen M. Ross, and Todd Carver | HB 43 | 02/04/2025 | Designate State Balloon Rally. |
| Mitchell S. Setzer, Harry Warren, Julia C. Howard, and Mark Brody | HB 48 | 02/04/2025 | Increase UI Max Benefit/2025 UI Tax Credit. |
| Mitchell S. Setzer, Cody Huneycutt, Julia C. Howard, and Larry W. Potts | HB 54 | 02/04/2025 | Funds for NC APSE. |
| Mitchell S. Setzer, Cody Huneycutt, Julia C. Howard, and Larry W. Potts | HB 55 | 02/04/2025 | Funds for the IGNITE Program. |
| Mitchell S. Setzer and Cody Huneycutt | HB 25 | 01/29/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning Auth./Stanly & Catawba. |
