North Carolina Lawmakers Override Dem Gov’s Veto, Ban State Funding For Trans Procedures On Minors

North Carolina Republicans successfully overrode Democrat Governor Josh Stein’s veto this week to enact legislation that blocks state funding for transgender medical procedures on minors, marking a major win for conservatives in the ongoing battle against radical gender ideology.

The new law, part of House Bill 805, prohibits taxpayer dollars from being used—directly or indirectly—for surgical gender transition procedures, puberty blockers, or cross-sex hormones for minors. It also applies the same restrictions to any state-sponsored health plans or insurance policies that cover such procedures. In addition, the law bars the use of state funds to provide these treatments to prisoners in the North Carolina correctional system.

“No State funds may be used, directly or indirectly, for the performance of or in furtherance of surgical gender transition procedures, or to provide puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones to a minor,” the legislation reads.

The law is a sweeping move to safeguard children from irreversible medical interventions and protect taxpayers from footing the bill for controversial procedures. It also reinforces traditional biological definitions, declaring that there are only two sexes and clearly defining “male” and “female.” It includes provisions to shield minors from pornographic content in public institutions and expands parental authority over what is allowed in schools and libraries.

Conservative activist Riley Gaines, a vocal opponent of transgender ideology in women’s sports, applauded the override. “NC legislature just overrode Gov Stein’s veto of HB 805,” she wrote on social media. “BOOM.”

NC legislature just overrode Gov Stein’s veto of HB 805.

This bill:
– defines “woman” & “man”
– restricts pornographic content
– prohibits state funding for chemical/surgical castration for minors and prisoners
– gives parents more control in schools

BOOM?? pic.twitter.com/Yb4lWETEF2

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) July 29, 2025

Governor Stein, who vetoed the bill in early July, condemned it as part of a “culture war” effort and accused the legislature of neglecting other priorities. “At a time when teachers, law enforcement, and state employees need pay raises… the legislature failed to pass a budget and, instead, wants to distract us by stoking culture wars,” he said. “These mean-spirited bills would marginalize vulnerable people.”

But Republicans were undeterred. Despite falling one seat short of a supermajority in the state House, several Democrats broke ranks, allowing the GOP to override Stein’s veto not only on H.B. 805, but also on other high-profile legislation.

One of those was H.B. 318, the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act, which requires sheriffs to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and check immigration status when someone is charged with a serious crime.

“This commonsense law requires sheriffs to check immigration status when someone is charged with a serious crime — and if they’re here illegally, they must be turned over to ICE,” said House Majority Leader Brenden Jones.

Additional bills that passed the Senate and await House override votes include bans on taxpayer-funded diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in education, a requirement for mandatory ICE cooperation, and a bill that would allow lawful adults to carry firearms without a concealed carry permit. Whether those measures clear the House remains to be seen.

Still, the successful override of H.B. 805 stands as a major cultural and political victory for the Republican majority in North Carolina, signaling that the state is moving in a direction that prioritizes parental rights, biological reality, and fiscal sanity over woke ideology.

The new law goes into effect immediately.