A new bill filed by State Rep. Gillespie seeks to update accessibility signage in North Carolina to a dynamic symbol that better conveys movement and recognition for individuals with disabilities, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 869 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Dynamic Symbol of Access.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill mandates the adoption of the dynamic symbol of access in North Carolina, replacing the international symbol of access in state buildings and parking areas for signs indicating accessibility for individuals with disabilities. This change aims for the symbol to convey a sense of movement and to be easily recognizable without secondary meanings. The Department of Administration is responsible for implementing this change, effective for signs installed or replaced from Jan. 1, 2026. Additionally, the dynamic symbol will be included on newly issued distinguishing license plates and removable windshield placards. Revisions to traffic sign regulations allow private property owners to use both the dynamic and international symbols for designating handicapped parking spaces, provided differences only exist in material or color. Finally, driver’s license tests will now require applicants to recognize both symbols.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Steve Tyson proposed the most bills (31) 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.
Gillespie, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 120th House district, replacing previous state representative Kevin Corbin.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karl E. Gillespie, Celeste C. Cairns, Phil Shepard, and Steve Tyson | HB 869 | 04/09/2025 | Dynamic Symbol of Access. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Jeff Zenger, Mark Brody, and Matthew Winslow | HB 876 | 04/09/2025 | Development Application Review Time Lines. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Blair Eddins, Jennifer Balkcom, and Neal Jackson | HB 647 | 04/01/2025 | Ag. PUV Conservation. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Donna McDowell White, and Larry W. Potts | HB 590 | 03/31/2025 | Patient Safety/Med. Imaging/Radiation Therapy. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Julia C. Howard, Kyle Hall, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 559 | 03/27/2025 | Make Elevators Great Again.-AB |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Cody Huneycutt, Donny Lambeth, and Edward C. Goodwin | HB 512 | 03/25/2025 | Emer. Care/Animals/Vet. Practice. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Cody Huneycutt, Donnie Loftis, and Howard Penny, Jr. | HB 471 | 03/20/2025 | Food Labeling Transparency Act. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Donna McDowell White, Timothy Reeder, MD, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 433 | 03/18/2025 | Registered Nurses in Schools. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Cody Huneycutt, Harry Warren, and Jeff Zenger | HB 381 | 03/12/2025 | On-Site Wastewater System Amendments. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Brian Turner, Cody Huneycutt, and John R. Bell, IV | HB 382 | 03/12/2025 | Elk Permit Auction/Raffle. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Brenden H. Jones, Frank Iler, and Steve Tyson | HB 295 | 03/05/2025 | Req. DOT to Install Prop. Corner Markers. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Carson Smith, and Charles W. Miller | HB 300 | 03/05/2025 | Vet Care for Retired First Responder Dogs. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Carson Smith, Jay Adams, and Keith Kidwell | HB 234 | 02/26/2025 | Little Federal Model NC Edition. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Jennifer Balkcom, John R. Bell, IV, and John Sauls | HB 177 | 02/24/2025 | Reduce Barriers to State Employment. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Dudley Greene, Howard Penny, Jr., and Mark Brody | HB 184 | 02/24/2025 | Promote North Carolina Sawmills. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Carla D. Cunningham, Donna McDowell White, and Larry W. Potts | HB 160 | 02/21/2025 | Joel H. Crisp SUDEP Awareness Law. |
| Karl E. Gillespie, Jennifer Balkcom, Jimmy Dixon, and Neal Jackson | HB 62 | 02/05/2025 | Farmers Protection Act. |
| Karl E. Gillespie | HB 63 | 02/05/2025 | Town of Andrews/Deannexation. |
