John Torbett
Election Day: November 3, 2026 · Register to vote at ncsbe.gov
Sponsored Bills (19)
Revise Laws on Minors/Human Trafficking
This bill strengthens laws protecting minors by amending obscenity and harmful material statutes, requiring courts to consider sex offender registration for certain convictions involving minors, and directing the Human Trafficking Commission to study and develop a statewide human trafficking reporting system. It also adds human trafficking awareness training requirements for vacation rental employees.
Child and Family Welfare Ombudsman Office
This bill creates a new Child and Family Welfare Ombudsman Office within the Department of Health and Human Services to serve foster youth, birth families, and foster parents. The office would investigate complaints, help resolve licensing issues, provide education about foster care laws, and submit annual reports on recurring problems in the foster care system.
Elect SBE/Superintendent as SBE Chair
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change how the State Board of Education is structured and led. Instead of being appointed by the Governor, most board members would be elected by voters in districts for four-year terms, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction would serve as the board's chair. Voters would decide on this amendment in November 2026, with changes taking effect in 2028.
Town of Stanley Charter Amend./Manager
This bill amends the Town of Stanley's charter to clarify that the Town Manager has the authority to hire, suspend, and remove town employees, with the exception of the Town Attorney. The bill also updates charter language to use gender-neutral pronouns and modernizes references throughout the document.
Clarify Powers of State Auditor
This bill expands the powers of North Carolina's State Auditor by exempting their office from certain state oversight requirements for IT procurement and information systems. It also creates new debt collection tools allowing the Department of Revenue to pursue debts discovered by the State Auditor through levy, sale, attachment, and garnishment procedures, similar to tax collection methods.
Standardized Testing Choice Act
This bill directs the North Carolina Collaboratory to study whether the Classic Learning Test (CLT) should be accepted by UNC schools for undergraduate admission and scholarship awards alongside the SAT and ACT. The study will examine whether CLT scores predict college success, can be used interchangeably with SAT/ACT scores, and what costs would be involved for universities and the state to offer this test to middle and high school students.
Motorcycle Road Guard Safety Act
This bill creates a Motorcycle Road Guard Certification Program that allows trained and certified motorcycle riders to direct traffic while escorting motorcycle groups along approved public routes. Certified road guards must meet safety standards, hold a valid motorcycle driver's license endorsement, and complete a Division-developed certification course, with routes requiring approval from local police chiefs or sheriffs.
Career Development Adjustment
This bill establishes a pilot program in 12 North Carolina schools where seventh-grade students entering in 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 will develop and annually review Career Development Plans through high school graduation. The plans aim to align students' coursework with college and career goals and help ensure on-time graduation, with involvement from school counselors, parents, and IEP teams for students with disabilities.
Liam's Law
Liam's Law increases criminal penalties for reckless driving, street racing, and hit-and-run offenses that result in serious injury or death. It upgrades penalties for street racing from misdemeanors to felonies when serious injury or death occurs, extends driver's license revocation periods (including permanent revocation for deaths), and strengthens hit-and-run requirements by distinguishing between crashes resulting in serious bodily injury versus other injuries.
Cosponsored Bills (4)
Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI
This bill prohibits North Carolina state agencies and local governments from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, policies, or staff positions. It defines DEI as initiatives that influence hiring or employment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, nationality, country of origin, or sexual orientation outside of merit-based processes, and establishes penalties for violations including fines up to $10,000 and potential removal from employment.
CHCCS Act
This bill establishes new parental rights in public schools regarding student records and identity changes, restricts instruction on gender identity and sexuality in kindergarten through fourth grade, creates a legal process for parents to sue schools for violations, and gives the State Auditor authority to investigate and enforce compliance with financial penalties.
Limit Rules With Substantial Financial Costs
This bill requires state agencies to obtain legislative approval before implementing rules that cost $20 million or more over five years, and requires higher voting thresholds (two-thirds for $1+ million costs, unanimous for $10+ million costs) when agency boards or commissions adopt costly rules. It also allows the public to request legislative review of rules if 10 or more people object within one day of Commission approval.
Fostering Care in NC Act
This comprehensive bill makes several changes to North Carolina's child welfare and social services systems. Key provisions expand the Guardianship Assistance Program to include youth as young as 10 years old, establish procedures for judges to issue permanent no-contact orders against defendants convicted of violent offenses, make it a felony when caregivers commit or allow sexual acts against children under 16, and require cities and counties to conduct criminal history background checks for any applicant offered a position working with children.
Voting Record (734)
- Yea2025-04-16
Promoting Wholesome Content for Students
- Yea2025-04-16
Toxic-Free Medical Devices Act of 2025
- Yea2025-04-16
Depoliticize Government Property Act
- Yea2025-04-16
Medicaid Prepaid Health Plan Practices
- Nay2025-04-16
Promoting Wholesome Content for Students
- Yea2025-04-16
Regulate Hemp-Derived Consumables
- Yea2025-04-16
Limit Rules With Substantial Financial Costs
- Yea2025-04-16
Workforce Development Pilot Project
- Yea2025-04-16
Limit Rules With Substantial Financial Costs
- Yea2025-04-15
Child Care Regulatory Reforms
- Yea2025-04-15
Town of Burgaw Property Transfer
- Yea2025-04-15
Child Care Regulatory Reforms
- Yea2025-04-15
Various Ed Law/Tax Acct/NIL Changes
- Yea2025-04-15
Modify HC POA/Adv Direct
- Yea2025-04-15
Drug-Free Zones/Unauthorized Public Camping
- Yea2025-04-15
UNC Tuition Discounts for Certain Students
- Yea2025-04-15
Military and Veterans Educational Promise Act
- Yea2025-04-15
Various Local Provisions VI
- Yea2025-04-15
The Sergeant Mickey Hutchens Act
- Yea2025-04-15
Liam's Law