Rep. Clampitt files bill in North Carolina House to update wildlife and boating laws

A new bill filed by State Rep. Mike Clampitt in the North Carolina House seeks to enhance protections for wildlife information and improve recreational boating safety standards, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 747 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘2025 Wildlife Resources Changes.-AB’

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

In essence, this bill enacts several changes to North Carolina’s wildlife and recreational boating laws. It revises the confidentiality rules for wildlife resource information, mandating that certain sensitive data about rare species and habitats remain confidential to prevent harm or theft. The bill authorizes the issuance of “Lifetime Conservationist” and “Wildlife Resources” license plates, with proceeds benefiting conservation funds. It adjusts the reciprocal registration period for out-of-state vessels from 90 to 60 days and amends safety requirements for personal watercraft, including mandates on personal flotation devices and engine cut-off switches. The boating safety changes take effect on Oct. 1, 2025, while other provisions become effective upon the bill becoming law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Clampitt proposed the most bills (24) 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.

Clampitt graduated from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in 1976 with an AA.

Clampitt, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 119th House district, replacing previous state representative Joe Sam Queen.