Rep. Setzer files bill in North Carolina House to pause large surface water transfers

A new bill filed by State Rep. Setzer in the North Carolina House seeks to pause large surface water transfers pending a study on environmental and economic impacts, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 850 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Interbasin Transfer Moratorium/Study.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill imposes a moratorium on the issuance of certificates for significant surface water transfers, defined as those exceeding an increase of 15 million gallons per day between river basins, in North Carolina. The pause will remain effective until six months after a report is submitted, following a comprehensive study by the North Carolina Collaboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The study will evaluate the current processes for approving surface water transfers, focusing on the adequacy of environmental impact assessments, economic equity considerations, the influence of climate trends on water flow, and incentives for sustainable water use practices. The Collaboratory will consult with the Army Corps of Engineers and other relevant entities and is required to present its findings to the 2027 General Assembly. The act becomes effective upon becoming law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Setzer proposed the most bills (40) 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.