Rep. Gillespie files bill in North Carolina House to create emergency pilot training program

A new bill filed by State Rep. Karl E. Gillespie in the North Carolina House seeks to create a program certifying citizen pilots to assist with emergency response and recovery during disasters, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 895 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Emergency Citizen Pilot Training Program.’

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

In essence, this bill establishes the Emergency Citizen Pilot Training Program within the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Public Safety in North Carolina. Its goal is to certify citizen pilots to support emergency response and recovery efforts during declared disasters. The program will provide educational courses on assisting state and federal operations, methods for private aerial assistance, and other necessary skills. Participants may be charged a fee up to $500, and after graduation, they will be listed in a maintained registry. The program requires pilots to maintain active status through continuous training. It involves coordination with multiple agencies, including the State Emergency Response Team and FEMA. The Division will develop rules for implementation by Jan. 1, 2027. This act also amends existing statutes to include emergency citizen pilots in emergency leave policies and personnel definitions. Sections 1, 2, and 3 take effect on Oct. 1, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Jennifer Balkcom 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.

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.