A new bill filed by State Sen. Alexander seeks to restrict unauthorized camping in public spaces to designated campsites and enhance enforcement of these regulations, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 724 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Safe Parks & Public Spaces Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill, known as the Safe Parks and Public Spaces Act, prohibits unauthorized camping in public areas of North Carolina, including parks and rights-of-way, unless they are designated as campsites by the state or local governments. Individuals caught camping unlawfully without prior offenses will be directed to the nearest emergency shelter, while repeat violations will be classified as a Class 3 misdemeanor. Local governments cannot allow camping in undesignated public areas or hinder enforcement of anti-camping regulations. Residents, businesses, or the Attorney General can sue to enforce compliance, with potential recovery of legal costs if successful. The bill also stipulates that non-compliant counties or municipalities may be disqualified from receiving state funds for homelessness-related services. This act is effective starting Oct. 1, 2025.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Michael A. Lazzara proposed the most bills (38) 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.
Alexander graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BA.
Alexander, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 44th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Vickie Sawyer.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| W. Ted Alexander, Brad Overcash, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 724 | 03/25/2025 | Safe Parks & Public Spaces Act. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Bobby Hanig, and Todd Johnson | SB 548 | 03/25/2025 | Protect Whistleblower LEOs from Retaliation. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Brad Overcash, and Danny Earl Britt, Jr. | SB 655 | 03/25/2025 | Extend Certain Rights to Catawba Nation. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Brad Overcash, and Kevin Corbin | SB 689 | 03/25/2025 | 2025 Charter Schools Review Board Omnibus. |
| W. Ted Alexander and Vickie Sawyer | SB 697 | 03/25/2025 | Lake Norman Marine Commission. |
| W. Ted Alexander and Amy S. Galey | SB 723 | 03/25/2025 | DAC Exemption from State Device Content Ban. |
| W. Ted Alexander and Jim Burgin | SB 420 | 03/24/2025 | Redirect Lottery Advertising for Foster Care. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Bobby Hanig, and Carl Ford | SB 359 | 03/20/2025 | Retirement Death Benefits Rewrite.-AB |
| W. Ted Alexander, Danny Earl Britt, Jr., and Jim Burgin | SB 361 | 03/20/2025 | Protecting First Responders Act. |
| W. Ted Alexander | SB 362 | 03/20/2025 | Strengthen Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Bobby Hanig, and Carl Ford | SB 363 | 03/20/2025 | DST Technical Corrections/Admin. Changes 2025.-AB |
| W. Ted Alexander and Todd Johnson | SB 364 | 03/20/2025 | Shorter Separation for Retired ADAs and APDs. |
| W. Ted Alexander | SB 365 | 03/20/2025 | Theft of Temporary Housing During Emergency. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Amy S. Galey, and Carl Ford | SB 344 | 03/19/2025 | Pooled Trust Transfers/Public Benefits Elig. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Brad Overcash, and Mark Hollo | SB 329 | 03/18/2025 | Recognizing South Fork Passage State Trail. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Amy S. Galey, and Warren Daniel | SB 249 | 03/06/2025 | Exempt./Campaign Sales/Other Political Groups. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Eddie D. Settle, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 164 | 02/25/2025 | Theft of Temporary Housing During Emergency. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Bobby Hanig, and Carl Ford | SB 135 | 02/24/2025 | Expand Homestead Exclusion Inc. Elig. Limit. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Carl Ford, and Eddie D. Settle | SB 123 | 02/21/2025 | Flags at Every School. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Bobby Hanig, and Carl Ford | SB 91 | 02/12/2025 | Newborn Safety Devices. |
| W. Ted Alexander, Bobby Hanig, and Carl Ford | SB 92 | 02/12/2025 | Released Time Education Act. |
| W. Ted Alexander | SB 79 | 02/11/2025 | Boiling Springs Charter Revisions. |
| W. Ted Alexander | SB 46 | 02/04/2025 | Lincoln/Catawba Common Boundary Line. |
